Comprehensive strategy for pesticide residue analysis in cocoa beans through qualitative and quantitative approach

Badrul Hisyam Zainudin; Salsazali Salleh; Abdul Syukur Yaakob; Rahmat Mohamed

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130778

Comprehensive strategy for pesticide residue analysis in cocoa beans through qualitative and quantitative approach

Food Chem. 2022 Jan 30:368:130778. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130778. Epub 2021 Aug 6.

Authors

Badrul Hisyam Zainudin¹, Salsazali Salleh², Abdul Syukur Yaakob³, Rahmat Mohamed⁴

Affiliations

¹ Analytical Services Laboratory, Chemistry and Technology Division, Malaysian Cocoa Board, Cocoa Innovation and Technology Centre, Lot 12621 Kawasan Perindustrian Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Electronic address: badrul@koko.gov.my.
² Analytical Services Laboratory, Chemistry and Technology Division, Malaysian Cocoa Board, Cocoa Innovation and Technology Centre, Lot 12621 Kawasan Perindustrian Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Electronic address: salsazali@koko.gov.my.
³ Analytical Services Laboratory, Chemistry and Technology Division, Malaysian Cocoa Board, Cocoa Innovation and Technology Centre, Lot 12621 Kawasan Perindustrian Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Electronic address: abdulsyukur@koko.gov.my.
⁴ Analytical Services Laboratory, Chemistry and Technology Division, Malaysian Cocoa Board, Cocoa Innovation and Technology Centre, Lot 12621 Kawasan Perindustrian Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Electronic address: rahmat@koko.gov.my.

PMID: 34391100
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130778

Abstract

Multiresidue quantitative and qualitative screening method for the analysis of pesticide residues in dried cocoa beans was validated and applied to imported and domestic cocoa beans samples. The quantitative method comprises of 15 pesticides while the screening method covers 110 pesticides of different chemical classes. The method was based on modified QuEChERS (Quick Easy Cheap Efficient Rugged Safe) extraction and detection using triple quadrupole (QQQ-MS) and ion mobility quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (IMS-QTOF). The method was quantitatively validated in terms of linearity, limit of quantification (LOQ), specificity, selectivity, accuracy, and precision. On the other hand, screening detection limits were established for 110 pesticides. Finally, the optimized strategy was successfully applied for the routine analysis of pesticide residues in 137 cocoa bean samples and 32% of the total samples were found positive for ametryn, chlorpyrifos, isoprocarb, and metalaxyl.

Keywords: Cocoa beans; Collision cross section; Ion mobility; Pesticide residues; QuEChERS.

MeSH terms

Chlorpyrifos*
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Limit of Detection
Pesticide Residues* / analysis
Pesticides*
Solid Phase Extraction

Substances

Pesticide Residues
Pesticides
Chlorpyrifos