Pesticide residues quantification in frozen fruit and vegetables in Chilean domestic market using QuEChERS extraction with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization Orbitrap mass spectrometry

• Published in: Food chemistry 2019-10, Vol.295, p.64-71
• Main Authors: Concha-meyer, Anibal, Grandon, Stephanie, Sepúlveda, Gloria, Diaz, Ricardo, Yuri, José Antonio, Torres, Carolina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Frozen produce; Fruit; HPLC-MS; Pesticide; Vegetable
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.05.046

•Pesticides were detected in 96.6% of the 237 total frozen produce samples.•21 Samples exceeded local MRL and 1 sample exceeded CODEX standards.•Iprodione, Spinosad A and D were the most detected molecules in frozen produce.•Local frozen produce requires to be inspected and controlled by authorities to check pesticide standards compliance. Pesticide residues on foods are a global concern due to the impact on human health. Many countries have adopted regulations to establish Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) to control use of pesticides. This study aimed to determine pesticide residues in frozen fruit and vegetables from Chilean retail stores using UHPLC-Orbitrap MS and QuEChERS™ multiresidue-extraction kit. 237 samples of frozen produce were sampled from different supermarkets and times during the year. Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, Imidacloprid, Iprodione, λ-cyhalothrin, Spinosad A, and Spinosad D were quantified. Results showed that Iprodione, Spinosad A, and D were the most detected molecules. Pesticides were detected in 96.6% of samples and 21 samples exceeded MRL. Corn and faba beans showed the highest concentration of Iprodione with an average of 6.7 and 5.4 mg/Kg, respectively. Existence of nonconformity in samples highlights the importance to control pesticide residues of Chilean frozen produce, since it represents a latent health threat on consumers.