Consumer safety evaluation of pyraclostrobin residues in strawberry using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS): An Egyptian profile

The dissipation rates of pyraclostrobin, a methoxyacrylate strobilurin group fungicide, along with its final residues and dietary exposure in strawberry were studied under Egyptian field conditions. Extraction was performed using a QuEChERS method, while residue determination was performed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with limits of quantitation of 0.001 mgkg(-1). At three different fortification levels (1.0, 10 and 100 ng/g) of pyraclostrobin applied to untreated strawberry samples, the recoveries ranged between 97 and 104% with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1-6% (n = 6). The reported analytical method fulfills the standard requirements with regard to specificity, repeatability, limit of quantitation and recoveries. The half-life (t(1/2)) of pyraclostrobin after one single application of the recommended rate was 5 days. Risk assessment study was carried out by comparing the national estimated daily intake (NEDI) against acceptable daily intake (ADI) under good agricultural practice (GAP) conditions. Results indicated that strawberry treated with pyraclostrobin at the recommended dosage, are safe for human consumption three days after two successive applications with 14 days interval between each application. The present research should pave the way for the establishment of the safe and proper use of pyraclostrobin in strawberry in Egypt.