QuEChERS

QuEChERS is a solid phase extraction method for detection of pesticide residues in food. The name is a portmanteau word formed from "quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe".[1]

Technique

The sample (fruits, vegetables, tobacco, etc.) is homogenized and centrifuged with a reagent and agitated for 1 minute. The reagents used depend on the type of sample to be analyzed. Following this, the sample is put through a dispersive solid phase extraction cleanup prior to analysis by gas-liquid chromatography or liquid-liquid chromatography.

Samples prepared using the QuEChERS method can be processed more quickly using a homogenization instrument. Such instruments can homogenize the food sample in a centrifuge tube, then agitate the sample with the reagent of choice, before moving the extracted sample for centrifuging. By using such an instrument, the samples can be moved through the QuEChERS method more quickly.

Some modifications to the original QuEChERS method had to be introduced to ensure efficient extraction of pH-dependent compounds (e.g., phenoxyalkanoic acids), to minimize degradation of susceptible compounds (e.g., base and acid labile pesticides) and to expand the spectrum of matrices covered.

Applications

The QuEChERS method has been readily accepted by many pesticide residue analysts.[2][3]

References
  1. F. J. Schenck and J. E. Hobbs (July 2004). "Evaluation of the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) Approach to Pesticide Residue Analysis". Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. New York: Springer. 73 (1): 24–30. doi:10.1007/s00128-004-0388-y. PMID 15386067. S2CID 24005395.
  2. Payá P, Anastassiades M, Mack D, et al. (November 2007). "Analysis of pesticide residues using the Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) pesticide multiresidue method in combination with gas and liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometric detection". Anal Bioanal Chem. 389 (6): 1697–714. doi:10.1007/s00216-007-1610-7. PMID 17909760. S2CID 23891766.
  3. A Novel Sample Preparation Approach to Increase the Throughput of Pesticide Analysis by LC–MS-MS Archived August 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
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