Standard substances free quantification makes LC/ESI/MS non-targeted screening of pesticides in cereals comparable between labs

Food Chem. 2020 Jul 15:318:126460. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126460. Epub 2020 Feb 20.

Abstract

LC/ESI/MS is the technique of choice for qualitative and quantitative food monitoring; however, analysis of a large number of compounds is challenged by the availability of standard substances. The impediment of detection of food contaminants has been overcome by the suspect and non-targeted screening. Still, the results from one laboratory cannot be compared with the results of another laboratory as quantitative results are required for this purpose. Here we show that the results of the suspect and non-targeted screening for pesticides can be made quantitative with the aid of in silico predicted electrospray ionization efficiencies and this allows direct comparison of the results obtained in two different laboratories. For this purpose, six cereal matrices were spiked with 134 pesticides and analysed in two independent labs; a high correlation for the results with the R2 of 0.85.

Keywords: Cereal; Food monitoring; LC/ESI/MS; Pesticides; Quantification without standards.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Liquid / methods
  • Chromatography, Liquid / standards*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Denmark
  • Edible Grain / chemistry*
  • Estonia
  • Food Analysis / methods
  • Food Analysis / standards*
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Laboratories
  • Pesticides / analysis*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / methods
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization / standards*

Substances

  • Pesticides