Application of matrix solid-phase dispersion and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to fungicide residue analysis in fruits and vegetables

A method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and liquid chromatography-electrospay ionization-mass spectrometry used to analyze fifteen fungicide residues in fruits and vegetables is described. The method required only 0.5 g of sample, C-18-bonded silica was used as dispersant sorbent, and ethyl acetate was used as eluting solvent. Fortified recoveries in apple, orange, banana, lettuce, grape and tomato samples ranged from 71% to 102% and relative standard deviations were less than 13% with fortified levels of 0.03-1.5 mg kg(-1). Detection and quantification limits were 1 similar to 30 mu g kg(-1) and 4 similar to 100 mu g kg(-1), respectively, with linear calibration curves extending up to 15 mg kg(-1). The analytical characteristics of MSPD compared very favorably with those found for a classical multiresidue method: the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method. The method was applied to determine the fungicides in real samples. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) was used as confirmatory tool for positive samples.