Residue Pesticides Analysis by Bruker 320-MS

There are currently over 1,000 pesticides in use worldwide in the production of foodstuffs. The use of pesticides is required to meet growing consumer demand for food at reasonable prices, including food out of season. There is a significant risk to human health and the environment due to increased pesticide use, poor agricultural practices and illegal use. Most countries have adopted strict regulations governing pesticide usage, imposing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides [1]. These levels are set well below perceived safety levels and therefore require analytical techniques that are sensitive, selective and robust. Pesticide control laboratories are now under increased pressure to maximize the range of pesticides detected in a single run and in complex matrices. By developing a multi-residue method, laboratories can lower their cost per analysis and increase sample throughput, thereby maximizing returns from the investment in analytical instrumentation. The Bruker 320-MS has fast scanning capabilities that allow at least two transitions for each pesticide to be monitored during a single analytical run. The analytical system easily satisfies the SANCO2 requirements, with the ability to set dwell times as low as 5 ms with no significant loss in sensitivity.