Abstract

QuEChERS is used worldwide as a universal sample preparation method with many benefits, such as being quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe. This study examined whether QuEChERS can be employed in isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ID-MS) for accurate analysis of pesticides in food. The ratios of fortified values and measured values of malathion and fenitrothion using the QuEChERS method were compared with those using the solid phase extract (SPE) method which was previously used in this laboratory. The separations of the two pesticides on DB-5MS and VF-1701MS columns were compared. Malathion and fenitrothion were fortified into kimchi cabbage and pretreated with the QuEChERS method and the SPE method. The results obtained using the DB-5MS column varied according to the sample preparation method, column and pesticide level. Using the VF-1701 column, ratios were 98–102% by both QuEChERS and Carb/NH 2 SPE method for all fortification level. Malathion and fenitrothion were fortified into strawberry samples for comparison with kimchi cabbage. The results for the strawberry samples indicated that the ratios were not influenced by the sample preparation methods or GC column. The QuECh- ERS method could be acceptable in the ID-MS method for pesticide residue analysis in food, however other conditions should be carefully considered for accurate determination, such as the column, amount of analyte and food matrix.