Economic evaluation of pesticide-residue analysis of vegetables

Nowadays, control of pesticide residues (PRs) in food must be conducted in accredited laboratories, using advanced analytical methods that achieve the low maximum residue levels established in regulations. In addition, laboratories have to meet customers' requirements in terms of time and cost of analysis. Consequently, PR analysis (PRA) requires non-laborious sample treatments, in order to increase sample throughput, in combination with gas or liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. However, it is necessary to consider the economics of the process to ensure the viability of PRA laboratories. The price of this type of analysis has not increased in the past decade, and the operational costs, mainly equipment and personnel, have increased significantly. In this article, we provide a methodology to assess the effective capacity and the break-even point of a PRA laboratory, and the tools to evaluate the profitability of acquisitions of new equipment. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.