Simultaneous determination of 34 chemical pesticides in red chili using gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometer

Abstract

A multi‐residue analytical method for analysis of 34 pesticides was standardized and validated using gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. The calibration curve constructed for each pesticide was linear over the concentration of 10 to 100 μg/L and the correlation coefficient ranged between 0.998 and 0.999. The limit of quantification and detection were in the range of 1.6 to 3.5 and 4.9 to 10.5 μg/kg, respectively. The sample preparation technique involving solid‐phase extraction using primary secondary amine and magnesium sulfate with acetonitrile provided acceptable recoveries in the range of 70.60 to 119.56% for 10 μg/kg, 70.12 to 115.58% for 50 μg/kg, and 71.51 to 118.11 for 100 μg/kg spiking levels with acceptable relative standard deviation. The field‐collected red chili samples were screened and the pesticide residues were quantified by using gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The mean residues of red chili samples assessed for the potential risk to consumers showed no risk.