A liquid chromatography-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry method for analysis of pesticides and transfer behavior in Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis decoctions

The safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has garnered considerable interest worldwide. In this study, a high-throughput method for the determination of 255 pesticide residues in decoctions of Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis was developed using liquid chromatography-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry. The methodological verification demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of this method. The frequently detected pesticides in Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis were determined to build a correlation between pesticide properties and the transfer rate of pesticide residues in their decoctions. Water solubility (WS) with a higher correlation coefficient (R) made a significant contribution to the accuracy of the transfer rate prediction model. The regression equations for Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis were T = 13.64 log WS + 10.56 with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.8617 and T = 10.66 log WS + 25.48 with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.8072, respectively. This study provides preliminary data on the potential risk of exposure to pesticide residues in Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis decoctions. Furthermore, as a case study on root TCM, this approach may serve as a model for other TCMs.

Automated summary

This study developed a high-throughput method for determining 255 pesticide residues in decoctions of Radix Codonopsis and Angelica sinensis using liquid chromatography-time-of-flight/mass spectrometry. The method was verified to be accurate and reliable. The study found a correlation between pesticide properties and the transfer rate of pesticide residues in the decoctions, with water solubility making a significant contribution to the accuracy of the transfer rate prediction model. The study provides preliminary data on the potential risk of exposure to pesticide residues in these decoctions and may serve as a model for other traditional Chinese medicines.