New pesticide screening in oil (GC/MS)

Apr 2019. As part of a comprehensive portfolio of pesticide analyses in oil, the Eurofins food & feed testing laboratory network in Germany now offers a pesticide screening using gas chromatography (GC/MS), which was developed by Eurofins SOFIA GmbH. The method offers a number of advantages, e.g. a decreased sample processing time, reliable turnaround times (TAT), an updated list of included substances, and a significant reduction of the necessary amount of solvents used during sample preparation. It is part of a comprehensive screening package for oil which also includes a liquid chromatography (LC) screening using LC/MS/MS.

Faster sample processing – reliable TAT

The method no longer includes gel permeation chromatography (GPC), a step that was previously essential to separate the oily matrix from the pesticides. This exclusion of GPC is at the base of many of the advantages of the screening. Without it, the time needed to process the samples individually or in batches decreases drastically. At the same time, the sample output rises significantly. Confirmation analyses, which are used to verify findings, e.g. for organic matrices or exceeded maximum residue levels, can be processed at short notice and, whenever possible, even on the same day.  

Due to these time-related advantages, the screening offers reliable TATs. Additionally, this method is less prone to equipment failure due to the exclusion of GPC.

Reduced use of solvents – increased eco-friendliness

Another important advantage of the new method is the significant reduction in the amount of solvent used for the analysis. Without GPC, it is now possible to decrease it from approx. 70 ml per sample to approx. 1 ml per sample. This reduction of solvents makes the new GC-screening more environmentally friendly than its predecessor including GPC.

Updated list of parameters

Overall, the screening’s list of included pesticides has been updated and sharpened. It now includes Phthalimide. Additionally, the limit of quantification for Tetramethrin has been reduced from 0.050 mg/kg to 0.010 mg/kg. Some substances which turned out to be irrelevant in oils are no longer part of the list.

Part of a comprehensive GC-LC-screening package

The new GC pesticide screening in oil is also part of an updated GC-LC-package that includes more than 670 pesticides. Contact your personal account manager to learn more about the standalone GC screening or the comprehensive package including LC analyses.