Method validation for the determination of selected pesticides and fungicides in food matrices

Pesticide residues present in food matrices and in the environment contain hazardous substances that pose concerns for human health and safety, thereby necessitating the development of suitable analytical methods for their detection and quantification. Method validation is essential in pesticide residue analysis because the analytical method used must capable of detecting and quantifying pesticide residue in food matrices.
The selected pesticides for the present work are Ethyl-parathion, Captan, Chlorfenvinphos, Fipronil, Phenthoate, Hexaconazole, Profenofos, Trifloxystrobin and Spiromesifen. Method validation of pesticide residues includes the systematic evaluation of parameters like Specificity, Range, LOD, LOQ, Accuracy, Precision, Repeatability and Robustness. All the parameters were found to be within the acceptable criteria, confirming the suitability of the method. The validated method demonstrated linearity with �2 0.99 ± 0.001 for selected pesticides. The LOD for the selected was identified as 0.002 mg/kg. The LOQ was determined to be 0.01 mg/kg for selected pesticides. The repeatability study for 0.01 mg/kg has RSD% <10, showing the selected method is precise and suited for analysis. The recovery studies spiking at variation concentration levels were observed within the acceptable limits (70-120%).
QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) multi-residue method was utilised as an efficient extraction technique for pesticide residue analysis. The method was optimized by varying the extraction solvents, clean-up, and salts procedure.