I would like to thank Javier Hern&#225;ndez-Borges and Cecilia Ortega-Zamora for their invaluable support. I also want to thank the Universidad EAN and the Universidad de La Laguna.

1. Preparation of the stock solutions
NOTE: It is recommended to wear nitrile gloves, a lab coat, and safety glasses during the entire protocol.
<ol>
	<li>Prepare a stock solution in acetone at 400 mg/L from a commercial mix of OCPs (see Table of Materials) at 2,000 mg/L in hexane:toluene (1:1) in a 25 mL volumetric flask. Table 1 shows each of the selected OCPs.</li>
	<li>Prepare the subsequent stock solutions in acetone at concentrations of 50 mg/L, 1 mg/L, and 0.08 mg/L in 10 mL volumetric flasks, and store them in amber glass vials at &#8722;18 &#176;C. 
	NOTE: The same solutions can be used throughout the work, but it is important to store them under these conditions just after each use.</li>
	<li>Prepare the stock solutions in acetone at concentrations of 20 mg/L and 0.4 mg/L from a commercial standard of 4,4&#39;-DDE-d8 at 100 mg/L in acetone in 10 mL volumetric flasks, and store in amber glass vials at &#8722;18 &#176;C. Use 4,4&#39;-DDE-d8 as an internal standard (IS).</li>
</ol>
2. Sample collection
<ol>
	<li>Collect approximately 0.5 kg of the upper 10 cm layer of an agricultural soil in a glass container. The soil object of this study was collected in a traditional agricultural zone of potato crops. 
	NOTE: Surface sampling with a spatula was carried out. However, the depth of the soil could influence its physicochemical characteristics. Therefore, if the organic carbon content varies with the depth, it is necessary to take samples at different depths.</li>
	<li>Take the soil sample to the laboratory, sift it with a 1 mm diameter sieve, and store it until analysis at 4 &#176;C in an amber glass container. 
	&#8203;NOTE: The same soil sample can be used throughout the work, but it is important to store it under these conditions just after each use.</li>
</ol>
3. Sample preparation via the modified QuEChERS method using ammonium formate
NOTE: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the modified QuEChERS method.
<ol>
	<li>Weigh 10 g of the soil sample in a 50 mL centrifuge tube, and add 50 &#181;L of the IS solution at 20 mg/L to yield 100 &#181;g/kg. For recovery purposes, also add the pesticide solutions prepared in step 1.2 to yield 10 &#181;g/kg, 50 &#181;g/kg, and 200 &#181;g/kg (n = 3 each).</li>
	<li>Shake the tube using a vortex for 30 s to better integrate the spike into the sample.</li>
	<li>Add 10 mL of water. Shake the tube using an automated shaker at 10 x g for 5 min.</li>
	<li>Add 10 mL of acetonitrile. Shake the tube again at 10 x g for 5 min.</li>
	<li>Add 5 g of ammonium formate (see Table of Materials), shake the tube vigorously for 1 min by hand, and centrifuge at 1,800 x g for 5 min.</li>
	<li>Transfer 1 mL of the acetonitrile extract to a 2 mL centrifuge tube containing 150 mg of anhydrous MgSO4, 50 mg of primary-secondary amine (PSA), and 50 mg octadecylsilane (C18) (see Table of Materials) for clean-up purposes by dispersive-solid phase extraction (d-SPE)8, vortex for 30 s, and centrifuge at 1,800 x g for 5 min.</li>
	<li>Transfer 200 &#181;L of the extract to an appropriately labeled autosampler vial with a 300 &#181;L fused insert, and perform an instrumental analysis using a GC-MS system (step 4). 
	&#8203;NOTE: Matrix-matched calibration is carried out following the same steps as previously using blank extracts, but 5 mL of the supernatant is cleaned in 15 mL tubes in the d-SPE step (step 3.6)&#160;and the spike and IS solutions are not added until step 3.7. Add the calibration standard solutions in the autosampler vials to yield 5 &#181;g/kg, 10 &#181;g/kg, 50 &#181;g/kg, 100 &#181;g/kg, 200 &#181;g/kg, and 400 &#181;g/kg, evaporate to dryness, and add 200 &#181;L of the matrix extracts.</li>
</ol>
4. Instrumental analysis by GC-MS
<ol>
	<li>Perform the GC-MS analyses using a GC-MS system with a single quadrupole mass spectrometer and an electron ionization interface (&#8722;70 eV) (see Table of Materials).</li>
	<li>Set the MS transfer line at 280 &#176;C and the ion source at 230 &#176;C.</li>
	<li>Use a 5%-phenyl-methylpolysiloxane 30 m x 250 &#181;m x 0.25 &#181;m column (see Table of Materials) and ultrahigh purity He as the carrier gas at a 1.2 mL/min constant flow rate.</li>
	<li>Maintain the GC oven at 60 &#176;C initially for 2 min, then ramp up the temperature to 160 &#176;C at 25 &#176;C/min, and hold for 1 min. Then, increase the temperature to 175 &#176;C at 15 &#176;C/min, and hold for 3 min. Then, increase to 220 &#176;C at 40 &#176;C/min, and hold for 3 min. Again, increase to 250 &#176;C at 30 &#176;C/min, and hold for 2 min. Finally, take the temperature to 310 &#176;C at 30 &#176;C/min, and hold for 2 min. The total analysis time is 22.125 min.</li>
	<li>Conduct a full autotune and an air and water check of the MS before each sequence.
	<ol>
		<li>Open the MassHunter acquisition software that controls all the parameters of the GC-MS system. 
		NOTE: The instrument system includes the MassHunter acquisition software by default.</li>
		<li>Open the &#34;View&#34; option on the toolbar, and click on Vacuum control, click on Tune, and click on Autotune. The autotune will end after a few minutes.</li>
		<li>Open the &#34;View&#34; option, and click on Instrument control.</li>
		<li>Click on Yes, and save the new tune file for the autotune.</li>
		<li>Open the &#34;View&#34; option on the toolbar, and click on Vacuum control, click on Tune again, and click on Air &#38; Water check. The air and water check will end after a few seconds.</li>
		<li>Open the &#34;View&#34; option, and click on Instrument control.</li>
		<li>Click on Yes, and save the new tune file for the air and water check.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Perform the injection using an autosampler (see Table of Materials) at 280 &#176;C in the splitless mode, keeping the injection volume 1.5 &#181;L. After 0.75 min of the injection, open the split at a 40 mL/min flow rate. 
	NOTE: Between injections, the 10 &#181;L syringe must be washed three times with ethyl acetate and three times with cyclohexane. All the injections are in duplicate.</li>
	<li>Analyze the analytes in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. This is the standard mode used in MS systems with a single quadrupole. 
	&#8203;NOTE: Table 1 shows the retention times (min) and the quantification parameters based on using one quantitation and two identification ions for the OCPs and the IS. The quantitative analysis is based on the ratio of the peak area of the quantitation ion to the ion of IS.</li>
</ol>
5. Data acquisition
<ol>
	<li>Open the MassHunter acquisition software that controls all the parameters of the GC-MS system.</li>
	<li>Open the &#34;Sequence&#34; option on the toolbar, and edit the sequence, including the sample name, the vial number, the number of injections, the instrumental method, and the name of the file to be generated. Add as many rows as necessary.</li>
	<li>Click on OK, and save the new sequence.</li>
	<li>Open the &#34;Sequence&#34; option on the toolbar again, and click on Run Sequence in the dropdown menu. A new window will open to confirm the injection method and the folder where the samples will be saved. Click on Run Sequence again, and the injection will begin.</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Sabzevari, S., Hofman, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+worldwide+review+of+currently+used+pesticides'+monitoring+in+agricultural+soils.">A worldwide review of currently used pesticides' monitoring in agricultural soils.</a> Science of The Total Environment. 812, 152344 (2022).</li><li>Tzanetou, E. N., Karasali, H. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comprehensive+review+of+organochlorine+pesticide+monitoring+in+agricultural+soils:+The+silent+threat+of+a+conventional+agricultural+past.">Comprehensive review of organochlorine pesticide monitoring in agricultural soils: The silent threat of a conventional agricultural past.</a> Agriculture. 12 (5), 728 (2022).</li><li>Farenhorst, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Importance+of+soil+organic+matter+fractions+in+soil-landscape+and+regional+assessments+of+pesticide+sorption+and+leaching+in+soil.">Importance of soil organic matter fractions in soil-landscape and regional assessments of pesticide sorption and leaching in soil.</a> Soil Science Society of America Journal. 70 (3), 1005-1012 (2006).</li><li>Silva, V., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pesticide+residues+in+European+agricultural+soils+-+A+hidden+reality+unfolded.">Pesticide residues in European agricultural soils - A hidden reality unfolded.</a> Science of The Total Environment. 653, 1532-1545 (2019).</li><li>Vischetti, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sub-lethal+effects+of+pesticides+on+the+DNA+of+soil+organisms+as+early+ecotoxicological+biomarkers.">Sub-lethal effects of pesticides on the DNA of soil organisms as early ecotoxicological biomarkers.</a> Frontiers in Microbiology. 11, 1892 (2020).</li><li>Alengebawy, A., Abdelkhalek, S. T., Qureshi, S. R., Wang, M. -. Q. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heavy+metals+and+pesticides+toxicity+in+agricultural+soil+and+plants:+Ecological+risks+and+human+health+implications.">Heavy metals and pesticides toxicity in agricultural soil and plants: Ecological risks and human health implications.</a> Toxics. 9 (3), 42 (2021).</li><li>Zikankuba, V. L., Mwanyika, G., Ntwenya, J. E., James, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pesticide+regulations+and+their+malpractice+implications+on+food+and+environment+safety.">Pesticide regulations and their malpractice implications on food and environment safety.</a> Cogent Food &amp; Agriculture. 5 (1), 1601544 (2019).</li><li>Varela-Mart&#237;nez, D. A., Gonz&#225;lez-S&#225;lamo, J., Gonz&#225;lez-Curbelo, M. &. #. 1. 9. 3. ;., Hern&#225;ndez-Borges, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quick,+Easy,+Cheap,+Effective,+Rugged+and+Safe+(QuEChERS)+extraction.">Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction.</a> Handbooks in Separation Science. , 399-437 (2020).</li><li>Anastassiades, M., Lehotay, S. J., &#352;tajnbaher, D., Schenck, F. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fast+and+easy+multiresidue+method+employing+acetonitrile+extraction/partitioning+and+&amp;#34;dispersive+solid-phase+extraction&amp;#34;+for+the+determination+of+pesticide+residues+in+produce.">Fast and easy multiresidue method employing acetonitrile extraction/partitioning and &amp;#34;dispersive solid-phase extraction&amp;#34; for the determination of pesticide residues in produce.</a> Journal of AOAC International. 86 (2), 412-431 (2003).</li><li>Gonz&#225;lez-Curbelo, M. &. #. 1. 9. 3. ;., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evolution+and+applications+of+the+QuEChERS+method.">Evolution and applications of the QuEChERS method.</a> Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 71, 169-185 (2015).</li><li>European Union. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=European+Regulation+(EC)+NO+396/2005+of+the+European+Parliament+and+of+the+Council+of+23+February+2005+on+maximum+residue+levels+of+pesticides+in+or+on+food+and+feed+of+plant+and+animal+origin+and+amending+Council+Directive+91/414/EEC.">European Regulation (EC) NO 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC.</a> Official Journal of the European Union. 70, 1-16 (2005).</li><li>Kwon, H., Lehotay, S. J., Geis-Asteggiante, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Variability+of+matrix+effects+in+liquid+and+gas+chromatography-mass+spectrometry+analysis+of+pesticide+residues+after+QuEChERS+sample+preparation+of+different+food+crops.">Variability of matrix effects in liquid and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of pesticide residues after QuEChERS sample preparation of different food crops.</a> Journal of Chromatography A. 1270, 235-245 (2012).</li><li>Lehotay, S. J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Determination+of+pesticide+residues+in+foods+by+acetonitrile+extraction+and+partitioning+with+magnesium+sulfate:+Collaborative+study.">Determination of pesticide residues in foods by acetonitrile extraction and partitioning with magnesium sulfate: Collaborative study.</a> Journal of AOAC International. 90 (2), 485-520 (2007).</li><li>European Committee for Standardization (CEN). <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Standard+Method+EN+15662.+Food+of+plant+origin-Determination+of+pesticide+residues+using+GC-MS+and/or+LC-MS/MS+following+acetonitrile+extraction/partitioning+and+clean-up+by+dispersive+SPE-QuEChERS+method.">Standard Method EN 15662. Food of plant origin-Determination of pesticide residues using GC-MS and/or LC-MS/MS following acetonitrile extraction/partitioning and clean-up by dispersive SPE-QuEChERS method.</a> European Committee for Standardization. , (2008).</li><li>Gonz&#225;lez-Curbelo, M. &. #. 1. 9. 3. ;., Lehotay, S. J., Hern&#225;ndez-Borges, J., Rodr&#237;guez-Delgado, M. &. #. 1. 9. 3. ;. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Use+of+ammonium+formate+in+QuEChERS+for+high-throughput+analysis+of+pesticides+in+food+by+fast,+low-pressure+gas+chromatography+and+liquid+chromatography+tandem+mass+spectrometry.">Use of ammonium formate in QuEChERS for high-throughput analysis of pesticides in food by fast, low-pressure gas chromatography and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.</a> Journal of Chromatography A. 1358, 75-84 (2014).</li><li>Han, L., Sapozhnikova, Y., Lehotay, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Method+validation+for+243+pesticides+and+environmental+contaminants+in+meats+and+poultry+by+tandem+mass+spectrometry+coupled+to+low-pressure+gas+chromatography+and+ultrahigh-performance+liquid+chromatography.">Method validation for 243 pesticides and environmental contaminants in meats and poultry by tandem mass spectrometry coupled to low-pressure gas chromatography and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography.</a> Food Control. 66, 270-282 (2016).</li><li>Lehotay, S. J., Han, L., Sapozhnikova, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Automated+mini-column+solid-phase+extraction+clean-up+for+high-throughput+analysis+of+chemical+contaminants+in+foods+by+low-pressure+gas+chromatography-tandem+mass+spectrometry.">Automated mini-column solid-phase extraction clean-up for high-throughput analysis of chemical contaminants in foods by low-pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.</a> Chromatographia. 79 (17), 1113-1130 (2016).</li><li>Lehotay, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Possibilities+and+limitations+of+isocratic+fast+liquid+chromatography-tandem+mass+spectrometry+analysis+of+pesticide+residues+in+fruits+and+vegetables.">Possibilities and limitations of isocratic fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables.</a> Chromatographia. 82 (1), 235-250 (2019).</li><li>Han, L., Matarrita, J., Sapozhnikova, Y., Lehotay, S. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+a+recent+product+to+remove+lipids+and+other+matrix+co-extractives+in+the+analysis+of+pesticide+residues+and+environmental+contaminants+in+foods.">Evaluation of a recent product to remove lipids and other matrix co-extractives in the analysis of pesticide residues and environmental contaminants in foods.</a> Journal of Chromatography A. 1449, 17-29 (2016).</li><li>Varela-Mart&#237;nez, D. A., Gonz&#225;lez-Curbelo, M. &. #. 1. 9. 3. ;., Gonz&#225;lez-S&#225;lamo, J., Hern&#225;ndez-Borges, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Analysis+of+pesticides+in+cherimoya+and+gulupa+minor+tropical+fruits+using+AOAC+2007.1+and+ammonium+formate+QuEChERS+versions:+A+comparative+study.">Analysis of pesticides in cherimoya and gulupa minor tropical fruits using AOAC 2007.1 and ammonium formate QuEChERS versions: A comparative study.</a> Microchemical Journal. 157, 104950 (2020).</li><li>Gonz&#225;lez-Curbelo, M. &. #. 1. 9. 3. ;., Varela-Mart&#237;nez, D. A., Ria&#241;o-Herrera, D. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Pesticide-residue+analysis+in+soils+by+the+QuEChERS+method:+A+review.">Pesticide-residue analysis in soils by the QuEChERS method: A review.</a> Molecules. 27 (13), 4323 (2022).</li><li>Anastassiades, M., Ma&#353;tovsk&#225;, K., Lehotay, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+analyte+protectants+to+improve+gas+chromatographic+analysis+of+pesticides.">Evaluation of analyte protectants to improve gas chromatographic analysis of pesticides.</a> Journal of Chromatography A. 1015 (1-2), 163-184 (2003).</li><li>Ma&#353;tovsk&#225;, K., Lehotay, S., Anastassiades, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Combination+of+analyte+protectants+to+overcome+matrix+effects+in+routine+GC+analysis+of+pesticide+residues+in+food+matrixes.">Combination of analyte protectants to overcome matrix effects in routine GC analysis of pesticide residues in food matrixes.</a> Analytical Chemistry. 77 (24), 8129-8137 (2005).</li><li>Rahman, M., Abd El-Aty, A., Shim, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Matrix+enhancement+effect:+A+blessing+or+a+curse+for+gas+chromatography?+-+A+review.">Matrix enhancement effect: A blessing or a curse for gas chromatography? - A review.</a> Analytica Chimica Acta. 801, 14-21 (2013).</li><li>Rouvire, F., Bulet&#233;, A., Cren-Oliv&#233;, C., Arnaudguilhem, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Multiresidue+analysis+of+aromatic+organochlorines+in+soil+by+gas+chromatography-mass+spectrometry+and+QuEChERS+extraction+based+on+water/dichloromethane+partitioning.+Comparison+with+accelerated+solvent+extraction.">Multiresidue analysis of aromatic organochlorines in soil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and QuEChERS extraction based on water/dichloromethane partitioning. Comparison with accelerated solvent extraction.</a> Talanta. 93, 336-344 (2012).</li><li>Lesueur, C., Gartner, M., Mentler, A., Fuerhacker, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+four+extraction+methods+for+the+analysis+of+24+pesticides+in+soil+samples+with+gas+chromatography-mass+spectrometry+and+liquid+chromatography-ion+trap-mass+spectrometry.">Comparison of four extraction methods for the analysis of 24 pesticides in soil samples with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-ion trap-mass spectrometry.</a> Talanta. 75 (1), 284-293 (2008).</li><li>&#208;urovi&#263;-Pej&#269;ev, R. D., Bursi&#263;, V. P., Zeremski, T. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+QuEChERS+with+traditional+sample+preparation+methods+in+the+determination+of+multiclass+pesticides+in+soil.">Comparison of QuEChERS with traditional sample preparation methods in the determination of multiclass pesticides in soil.</a> Journal of AOAC International. 102 (1), 46-51 (2019).</li><li>European Commission. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=SANTE/11312/2021.+Guidance+document+on+analytical+quality+control+and+method+validation+procedures+for+pesticide+residues+analysis+in+food+and+feed.">SANTE/11312/2021. Guidance document on analytical quality control and method validation procedures for pesticide residues analysis in food and feed.</a> European Commission. , (2021).</li></ol>

I have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

The original9 and the two official versions13,14 of the QuEChERS method use magnesium sulfate together with sodium chloride, acetate, or citrate salts to promote acetonitrile/water mixture separation during extraction. However, these salts tend to be deposited as solids on the surfaces in the mass spectrometry (MS) source, which causes the need for increased maintenance of liquid chromatography (LC)-MS-based methods. In terms of overcoming...

The need to increase food production has led to the intensive and widespread use of pesticides worldwide over the last few decades. Pesticides are applied to the crops to protect them from pests and increase crop yields, but their residues usually end up in the soil environment, especially in agricultural areas1. Furthermore, some pesticides, such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), have a very stable structure, so their residues do not decompose easily and persist in the soil for a long time2. Generally, the soil has a high capacity to accumulate pesticide residues, especially when it has a high content of organic matter3. As a result, the soil is one of the environmental compartments most contaminated by pesticide residues. As an example, one of the complete studies to date found that 83% of 317 agricultural soils from across the European Union were contaminated with one or more pesticide residues4. 
Soil pollution by pesticide residues may affect non-target species, soil function, and consumer health through the food chain because of the high toxicity of the residues5,6. Consequently, the evaluation of pesticide residues in soils is essential to assess their potential negative effects on the environment and human health, particularly in developing countries due to a lack of strict regulations on the use of pesticides7. This makes pesticide multi-residue analysis increasingly important. However, the rapid and accurate analysis of pesticide residues in soils is a difficult challenge due to the large number of interfering substances, as well as the low concentration level and the diverse physicochemical properties of these analytes4. 
Of all the pesticide residue analysis methods, the QuEChERS method has become the quickest, easiest, cheapest, most effective, robust, and safest option8. The QuEChERS method involves two steps. In the first step, a microscale extraction based on partitioning via salting-out between an aqueous and an acetonitrile layer is performed. In the second step, a cleaning process is carried out employing a dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE); this technique uses small amounts of several combinations of porous sorbents to remove matrix-interfering components and overcomes the disadvantages of conventional SPE9. Hence, the QuEChERS is an environmentally friendly approach with little solvent/chemical going to waste that provides very accurate results and minimizes potential sources of random and systematic errors. In fact, it has been successfully applied for the high-throughput routine analysis of hundreds of pesticides, with strong applicability in almost all types of environmental, agri-food, and biological samples8,10. This work aims to apply and validate a new modification of the QuEChERS method that was previously developed and coupled to GC-MS to analyze OCPs in agricultural soil.

<table><tbody><tr><td>15 mL disposable glass conical centrifuge tubes</td><td>PYREX</td><td>99502-15</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2 mL centrifuge tubes</td><td>Eppendorf</td><td>30120094</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>50 mL centrifuge tubes with screw caps</td><td>VWR</td><td>21008-169</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>5977B mass-selective detector</td><td>Agilent Technologies</td><td>1617R019</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>7820A gas chromatography system</td><td>Agilent Technologies</td><td>16162016</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Acetone</td><td>Supelco</td><td>1006582500</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Acetonitrile</td><td>VWR</td><td>83642320</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ammonium formate</td><td>VWR</td><td>21254260</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Automatic shaker KS 3000 i control</td><td>IKA</td><td>3940000</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Balance</td><td>Sartorius Lab Instruments Gmbh &amp;amp; Co</td><td>ENTRIS224I-1S</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bondesil-C18, 40 &amp;micro;m</td><td>Agilent Technologies</td><td>12213012</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Bondesil-PSA, 40 &amp;micro;m</td><td>Agilent Technologies</td><td>12213024</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Cyclohexane</td><td>VWR</td><td>85385320</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>EPA TCL pesticides mix</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>48913</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Ethyl acetate</td><td>Supelco</td><td>1036492500</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>G4567A automatic sampler</td><td>Agilent Technologies</td><td>19490057</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>HP-5ms Ultra Inert (5%-phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane 30 m x 250 &amp;micro;m x 0.25 &amp;micro;m column</td><td>Agilent Technologies</td><td>19091S-433UI</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Magnesium sulfate monohydrate</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>434183-1KG</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Mega Star 3.R centrifuge</td><td>VWR</td><td>521-1752</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Milli-Q gradient A10</td><td>Millipore</td><td>RR400Q101</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>p,p&#039;-DDE-d8</td><td>Dr Ehrenstorfer</td><td>DRE-XA12041100AC</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pipette tips 2 - 200 &amp;micro;L</td><td>BRAND</td><td>732008</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pipette tips 5 mL</td><td>BRAND</td><td>702595</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pipette tips 50 - 1000 uL</td><td>BRAND</td><td>732012</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pippette Transferpette S variabel 10 - 100 &amp;micro;L</td><td>BRAND</td><td>704774</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pippette Transferpette S variabel 100 - 1000 &amp;micro;L</td><td>BRAND</td><td>704780</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pippette Transferpette S variabel 20 - 200 &amp;micro;L</td><td>BRAND</td><td>704778</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pippette Transferpette S variabel 500 - 5000 &amp;micro;L</td><td>BRAND</td><td>704782</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Vials with fused-in insert</td><td>Sigma Aldrich</td><td>29398-U</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&lt;strong&gt;OCPs&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td><td>&lt;strong&gt;CAS registry number&lt;/strong&gt;</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&amp;alpha;-BHC</td><td></td><td>319-84-6</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&amp;beta;-BHC</td><td></td><td>319-85-7</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Lindane</td><td></td><td>58-89-9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&amp;delta;-BHC</td><td></td><td>319-86-8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Heptachlor</td><td></td><td>76-44-8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Aldrin</td><td></td><td>309-00-2</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Heptachlor epoxide</td><td></td><td>1024-57-3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&amp;alpha;-Endosulfan</td><td></td><td>959-98-8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4,4&#039;-DDE-d8 (IS)</td><td></td><td>93952-19-3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4,4&#039;-DDE</td><td></td><td>72-55-9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Dieldrin</td><td></td><td>60-57-1</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Endrin</td><td></td><td>72-20-8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>&amp;beta;-Endosulfan</td><td></td><td>33213-65-9</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4,4&#039;-DDD</td><td></td><td>72-54-8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Endosulfan sulfate</td><td></td><td>1031-07-8</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>4,4&#039;-DDT</td><td></td><td>50-29-3</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Endrin ketone</td><td></td><td>53494-70-5</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Methoxychlor</td><td></td><td>72-43-5</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

analysis of organochlorine pesticides in a soil sample by a modified quechers approach using ammonium formate

Currently, the QuEChERS method represents the most widely used sample preparation protocol worldwide for analyzing pesticide residues in a broad variety of matrices both in official and non-official laboratories. The QuEChERS method using ammonium formate has previously proven to be advantageous compared to the original and the two official versions. On the one hand, the simple addition of 0.5 g of ammonium formate per gram of sample is sufficient to induce phase separation and achieve good analytical performance. On the other hand, ammonium formate reduces the need for maintenance in routine analyses. Here, a modified QuEChERS method using ammonium formate was applied for the simultaneous analysis of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in agricultural soil. Specifically, 10 g of the sample was hydrated with 10 mL of water and then extracted with 10 mL of acetonitrile. Next, phase separation was carried out using 5 g of ammonium formate. After centrifugation, the supernatant was subjected to a dispersive solid-phase extraction clean-up step with anhydrous magnesium sulfate, primary-secondary amine, and octadecylsilane. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used as the analytical technique. The QuEChERS method using ammonium formate is demonstrated as a successful alternative for extracting OCP residues from a soil sample.

The full validation of the analytical method was performed in terms of linearity, matrix effects, recovery, and repeatability.
Matrix-matched calibration curves with spiked blank samples at six concentration levels (5 &#181;g/kg, 10 &#181;g/kg, 50 &#181;g/kg, 100 &#181;g/kg, 200 &#181;g/kg, and 400 &#181;g/kg) were used for the linearity assessment. The determination coefficients (R2) were higher than or equal to 0.99 for all the OCPs. The lowest calibration level (LCL) was set at 5...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Analysis of Organochlorine Pesticides in a Soil Sample by a Modified QuEChERS Approach Using Ammonium Formate at JoVE.com

Analysis of Organochlorine Pesticides in a Soil Sample by a Modified QuEChERS Approach Using Ammonium Formate

The present protocol describes the utilization of ammonium formate for phase partitioning in QuEChERS, together with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, to successfully determine organochlorine pesticide residues in a soil sample.

Currently, the QuEChERS method represents the most widely used sample preparation protocol worldwide for analyzing pesticide residues in a broad variety ...

analysis-organochlorine-pesticides-soil-sample-modified-quechers

Research

JoVE Journal

Chemistry

2.9K Views.  Universidad EAN. The present protocol describes the utilization of ammonium formate for phase partitioning in QuEChERS, together with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, to successfully determine organochlorine pesticide residues in a soil sample. 

Video: Analysis of Organochlorine Pesticides in a Soil Sample by a Modified QuEChERS Approach Using Ammonium Formate

Laboratory Estimation of Net Trophic Transfer Efficiencies of PCB Congeners to Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from Its Prey

A technique for laboratory estimation of net trophic transfer efficiency (&#947;) of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners to piscivorous fish from their prey is described herein. During a 135-day laboratory experiment, we fed bloater (Coregonus hoyi) that had been caught in Lake Michigan to lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) kept in eight laboratory tanks. Bloater is a natural prey for lake trout. In four of the tanks, a relatively high flow rate was used to ensure relatively high activity by the lake trout, whereas a low flow rate was used in the other four tanks, allowing for low lake trout activity. On a tank-by-tank basis, the amount of food eaten by the lake trout on each day of the experiment was recorded. Each lake trout was weighed at the start and end of the experiment. Four to nine lake trout from each of the eight tanks were sacrificed at the start of the experiment, and all 10 lake trout remaining in each of the tanks were euthanized at the end of the experiment. We determined concentrations of 75 PCB congeners in the lake trout at the start of the experiment, in the lake trout at the end of the experiment, and in bloaters fed to the lake trout during the experiment. Based on these measurements, &#947; was calculated for each of 75 PCB congeners in each of the eight tanks. Mean &#947; was calculated for each of the 75 PCB congeners for both active and inactive lake trout. Because the experiment was replicated in eight tanks, the standard error about mean &#947; could be estimated. Results from this type of experiment are useful in risk assessment models to predict future risk to humans and wildlife eating contaminated fish under various scenarios of environmental contamination.

Laboratory Estimation of Net Trophic Transfer Efficiencies of PCB Congeners to Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush from Its Prey

A technique for laboratory estimation of net trophic transfer efficiency of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners to piscivorous fish from their prey is presented. To maximize applicability of the laboratory results to the field, the piscivorous fish should be fed prey fish that are typically eaten in the field.

A technique for laboratory estimation of net trophic transfer efficiency (&#947;) of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners to piscivorous fish from ...

Environment

Integrated Field Lysimetry and Porewater Sampling for Evaluation of Chemical Mobility in Soils and Established Vegetation

Potentially toxic chemicals are routinely applied to land to meet growing demands on waste management and food production, but the fate of these chemicals is often not well understood. Here we demonstrate an integrated field lysimetry and porewater sampling method for evaluating the mobility of chemicals applied to soils and established vegetation. Lysimeters, open columns made of metal or plastic, are driven into bareground or vegetated soils. Porewater samplers, which are commercially available and use vacuum to collect percolating soil water, are installed at predetermined depths within the lysimeters. At prearranged times following chemical application to experimental plots, porewater is collected, and lysimeters, containing soil and vegetation, are exhumed. By analyzing chemical concentrations in the lysimeter soil, vegetation, and porewater, downward leaching rates, soil retention capacities, and plant uptake for the chemical of interest may be quantified. Because field lysimetry and porewater sampling are conducted under natural environmental conditions and with minimal soil disturbance, derived results project real-case scenarios and provide valuable information for chemical management. As chemicals are increasingly applied to land worldwide, the described techniques may be utilized to determine whether applied chemicals pose adverse effects to human health or the environment.

Field lysimetry and porewater sampling allow researchers to evaluate the fate of chemicals applied to soils and established vegetation. The goal of this protocol is to demonstrate how to install required instrumentation and collect samples for chemical analysis during integrated field lysimetry and porewater sampling experiments.

Potentially toxic chemicals are routinely applied to land to meet growing demands on waste management and food production, but the fate of these chemicals ...

A Protocol for Collecting and Constructing Soil Core Lysimeters

Leaching of nutrients from land applied fertilizers and manure used in agriculture can lead to accelerated eutrophication of surface water. Because the landscape has complex and varied soil morphology, an accompanying disparity in flow paths for leachate through the soil macropore and matrix structure is present. The rate of flow through these paths is further affected by antecedent soil moisture. Lysimeters are used to quantify flow rate, volume of water and concentration of nutrients leaching downward through soils. While many lysimeter designs exist, accurately determining the volume of water and mass balance of nutrients is best accomplished with bounded lysimeters that leave the natural soil structure intact. 
Here we present a detailed method for the extraction and construction of soil core lysimeters equipped with soil moisture sensors at 5 cm and 25 cm depths. Lysimeters from four different Coastal Plain soils (Bojac, Evesboro, Quindocqua and Sassafras) were collected on the Delmarva Peninsula and moved to an indoor climate controlled facility. Soils were irrigated once weekly with the equivalent of 2 cm of rainfall to draw down soil nitrate-N concentrations. At the end of the draw down period, poultry litter was applied (162 kg TN ha-1) and leaching was resumed for an additional five weeks. Total recovery of applied irrigation water varied from 71% to 85%. Nitrate-N concentration varied over the course of the study from an average of 27.1 mg L-1 before litter application to 40.3 mg L-1 following litter application. While greatest flux of nutrients was measured in soils dominated by coarse sand (Sassafras) the greatest immediate flux occurred from the finest textured soil with pronounced macropore development (Quindocqua).

A detailed method for extraction and assembly of intact soil core lysimeters and their use for study of leachate and associated loss of nutrients from surface applied poultry litter is demonstrated.

Leaching of nutrients from land applied fertilizers and manure used in agriculture can lead to accelerated eutrophication of surface water. Because the ...

Assessment of Labile Organic Carbon in Soil Using Sequential Fumigation Incubation Procedures

Management practices and environmental changes can alter soil nutrient and carbon cycling. Soil labile organic carbon, a readily decomposable C pool, is highly sensitive to disturbance. It is also the primary substrate for soil microorganisms, which is fundamental to nutrient cycling. Due to these attributes, labile organic carbon (LOC) has been identified as an indicator parameter for soil health. Quantifying the turnover rate of LOC also aids in understanding changes in soil nutrient cycling processes. A sequential fumigation incubation method has been developed to estimate soil LOC and potential C turnover rate. The method requires fumigating soil samples and quantifying CO2-C respired during a 10 day incubation period over a series of fumigation-incubation cycles. Labile organic C and potential C turnover rate are then extrapolated from accumulated CO2 with a negative exponential model. Procedures for conducting this method are described.

Labile organic carbon (LOC) and the potential carbon turnover rate are sensitive indicators of changes in soil nutrient cycling processes. Details are provided for a method based on fumigating and incubating soil in a series of cycles and using the CO2 accumulated during the incubation periods to estimate these parameters.

Management practices and environmental changes can alter soil nutrient and carbon cycling. Soil labile organic carbon, a readily decomposable C pool, is ...

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Plastic resin pellets, categorized as microplastics (&#8804;5 mm in diameter), are small granules that can be unintentionally released to the environment during manufacturing and transport. Because of their environmental persistence, they are widely distributed in the oceans and on beaches all over the world. They can act as a vector of potentially toxic organic compounds (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls) and might consequently negatively affect marine organisms. Their possible impacts along the food chain are not yet well understood. In order to assess the hazards associated with the occurrence of plastic pellets in the marine environment, it is necessary to develop methodologies that allow for rapid determination of associated organic contaminant levels. The present protocol describes the different steps required for sampling resin pellets, analyzing adsorbed organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and identifying the plastic type. The focus is on the extraction of OCPs from plastic pellets by means of a pressurized fluid extractor (PFE) and on the polymer chemical analysis applying Fourier Transform-InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The developed methodology focuses on 11 OCPs and related compounds, including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its two main metabolites, lindane and two production isomers, as well as the two biologically active isomers of technical endosulfan. This protocol constitutes a simple and rapid alternative to existing methodology for evaluating the concentration of organic contaminants adsorbed on plastic pieces.

Microplastics act as vector of potentially toxic organic contaminants with unpredictable effects. This protocol describes an alternative methodology for assessing the levels of organochlorine pesticides adsorbed on plastic pellets and identifying the polymer chemical structure. The focus is on pressurized fluid extraction and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Plastic resin pellets, categorized as microplastics (&#8804;5 mm in diameter), are small granules that can be unintentionally released to the environment ...

Study on the Metabolism of Six Systemic Insecticides in a Newly Established Cell Suspension Culture Derived from Tea (Camellia Sinensis L.) Leaves

A platform for studying insecticide metabolism using in vitro tissues of tea plant was developed. Leaves from sterile tea plantlets were induced to form loose callus on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal media with the plant hormones 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D, 1.0 mg L-1) and kinetin (KT, 0.1 mg L-1). Callus formed after 3 or 4 rounds of subculturing, each lasting 28 days. Loose callus (about 3 g) was then inoculated into B5 liquid media containing the same plant hormones and was cultured in a shaking incubator (120 rpm) in the dark at 25 &#177; 1 &#176;C. After 3&#8722;4 subcultures, a cell suspension derived from tea leaf was established at a subculture ratio ranging between 1:1 and 1:2 (suspension mother liquid: fresh medium). Using this platform, six insecticides (5 &#181;g mL-1 each thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, imidaclothiz, dimethoate, and omethoate) were added into the tea leaf-derived cell suspension culture. The metabolism of the insecticides was tracked using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography. To validate the usefulness of the tea cell suspension culture, the metabolites of thiamethoxan and dimethoate present in treated cell cultures and intact plants were compared using mass spectrometry. In treated tea cell cultures, seven metabolites of thiamethoxan and two metabolites of dimethoate were found, while in treated intact plants, only two metabolites of thiamethoxam and one of dimethoate were found. The use of a cell suspension simplified the metabolic analysis compared to the use of intact tea plants, especially for a difficult matrix such as tea.

Study on the Metabolism of Six Systemic Insecticides in a Newly Established Cell Suspension Culture Derived from Tea Camellia Sinensis L. Leaves

This work presents a protocol for establishing a cell suspension culture derived from tea (Camellia sinensis L.) leaves that can be used to study the metabolism of external compounds that can be taken up by the whole plant, such as insecticides.

A platform for studying insecticide metabolism using in vitro tissues of tea plant was developed. Leaves from sterile tea plantlets were induced to form ...

Biochemistry

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

The importance of understanding the fate of nitrate (NO3&#8722;), which is the dominant N species transferred from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems, has been increasing because global nitrogen loads have dramatically increased following industrialization. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) and denitrification are both microbial processes that use NO3&#8722; for respiration. Compared to denitrification, quantitative determinations of the DNRA activity have been carried out only to a limited extent. This has led to an insufficient understanding of the importance of DNRA in NO3&#8722; transformations and the regulating factors of this process. The objective of this paper is to provide a detailed procedure for the measurement of the potential DNRA rate in environmental samples. In brief, the potential DNRA rate can be calculated from the 15N-labeled ammonium (15NH4+) accumulation rate in 15NO3&#8722; added incubation. The determination of the 14NH4+ and 15NH4+ concentrations described in this paper is comprised of the following steps. First, the NH4+ in the sample is extracted and trapped on an acidified glass filter as ammonium salt. Second, the trapped ammonium is eluted and oxidized to NO3&#8722; via persulfate oxidation. Third, the NO3&#8722; is converted to N2O via an N2O reductase deficient denitrifier. Finally, the converted N2O is analyzed using a previously developed quadrupole gas chromatography&#8211;mass spectrometry system. We applied this method to salt marsh sediments and calculated their potential DNRA rates, demonstrating that the proposed procedures allow a simple and more rapid determination compared to previously described methods.

Measurement of the Potential Rates of Dissimilatory Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium Based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ Analyses via Sequential Conversion to N2O

A series of methods to determine the potential DNRA rate based on 14NH4+/15NH4+ analyses is provided in detail. NH4+ is converted into N2O via several steps and analyzed using quadrupole gas chromatography&#8211;mass spectrometry.

The importance of understanding the fate of nitrate (NO3&#8722;), which is the dominant N species transferred from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems, has ...

The MPLEx Protocol for Multi-omic Analyses of Soil Samples

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based integrated metaproteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic (multi-omic) studies are transforming our ability to understand and characterize microbial communities in environmental and biological systems. These measurements are even enabling enhanced analyses of complex soil microbial communities, which are the most complex microbial systems known to date. Multi-omic analyses, however, do have sample preparation challenges, since separate extractions are typically needed for each omic study, thereby greatly amplifying the preparation time and amount of sample required. To address this limitation, a 3-in-1 method for the simultaneous extraction of metabolites, proteins, and lipids (MPLEx) from the same soil sample was created by adapting a solvent-based approach. This MPLEx protocol has proven to be both simple and robust for many sample types, even when utilized for limited quantities of complex soil samples. The MPLEx method also greatly enabled the rapid multi-omic measurements needed to gain a better understanding of the members of each microbial community, while evaluating the changes taking place upon biological and environmental perturbations.

A protocol is presented for simultaneously extracting metabolites, proteins, and lipids from a single soil sample, allowing reduced sample preparation times and enabling multi-omic mass spectrometry analyses of samples with limited quantities.

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based integrated metaproteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic (multi-omic) studies are transforming our ability to understand and ...

Analyzing Pesticides in Avocado Using the QuEChERS Method and CG-MS/MS

Determination of 45 Pesticides in Avocado Varieties by the QuEChERS Method and Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Gas chromatography (GC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) stands as a preeminent analytical instrument extensively employed for the surveillance of pesticide residues in food. Nevertheless, these methods are vulnerable to matrix effects (MEs), which can potentially affect accurate quantification depending on the specific combination of analyte and matrix. Among the various strategies to mitigate MEs, matrix-matched calibration represents the prevailing approach in pesticide residue applications due to its cost-effectiveness and straightforward implementation. In this study, a total of 45 representative pesticides were analyzed in three different varieties of avocado (i.e., Criollo, Hass, and Lorena) using the Quick-Easy-Cheap-Effective-Rugged-Safe (QuEChERS) method with ammonium formate and GC-MS/MS. 
For this purpose, 5 g of the avocado sample was extracted with 10 mL of acetonitrile, and then 2.5 g of ammonium formate was added to induce phase separation. Subsequently, the supernatant underwent a cleanup process via dispersive solid-phase extraction employing 150 mg of anhydrous MgSO4, 50 mg of primary-secondary amine, 50 mg of octadecylsilane, 10 mg of graphitized carbon black, and 60 mg of a zirconium oxide-based sorbent (Z-Sep+). The GC-MS/MS analysis was successfully performed in less than 25 min. Rigorous validation experiments were carried out to assess the performance of the method. The examination of a matrix-matched calibration curve for each variety of avocado revealed that the ME remained relatively consistent and less than 20% (considered as a soft ME) for most pesticide/variety combinations. Furthermore, the method&#180;s limits of quantification were lower than 5 &#181;g/kg for all three varieties. Finally, the recovery values for most pesticides fell within the acceptable range of 70-120%, with relative standard deviation values below 20%.

Avocado Sample Preparation Using the QuEChERS Method with Ammonium Formate for Pesticide Analysis

The present protocol describes the analysis of multiclass pesticide residues in avocado varieties using the Quick-Easy-Cheap-Effective-Rugged-Safe (QuEChERS) method with ammonium formate, followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Gas chromatography (GC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) stands as a preeminent analytical instrument extensively employed for the surveillance of ...

High-Throughput Measurement and Classification of Organic P in Environmental Samples

Many types of organic phosphorus (P) molecules exist in environmental samples1. Traditional P measurements do not detect these organic P compounds since they do not react with colorimetric reagents2,3. Enzymatic hydrolysis (EH) is an emerging method for accurately characterizing organic P forms in environmental samples4,5. This method is only trumped in accuracy by Phosphorus-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (31P-NMR) -a method that is expensive and requires specialized technical training6. We have adapted an enzymatic hydrolysis method capable of measuring three classes of phosphorus (monoester P, diester P and inorganic P) to a microplate reader system7. This method provides researchers with a fast, accurate, affordable and user-friendly means to measure P species in soils, sediments, manures and, if concentrated, aquatic samples. This is the only high-throughput method for measuring the forms and enzyme-lability of organic P that can be performed in a standard laboratory. The resulting data provides insight to scientists studying system nutrient content and eutrophication potential.

This protocol describes a high-throughput method of enzymatic hydrolysis that utilizes a microplate reader to measure and classify soil phosphorus as P monoesters, P diesters and inorganic P. Up to 96 samples can be measured at one time in a standard laboratory.

Many types of organic phosphorus (P) molecules exist in environmental samples1.  Traditional P measurements do not detect these organic P compounds since ...