Chapters authored
Mobile Phase Selection by Optimization for the Determination of Multiple Pesticides Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
The selection of the best mobile phase setup is one of the most important factors to be considered prior to quantitative instrumentation of multiple pesticides. Usually, mobile phases comprises of water (A) and an organic solvent (B) are the setup used in liquid chromatography instruments for the analysis of pesticide residues in various samples. Unfortunately, most of the analyses are being carried out without optimization and selection of the best mobile phase setup to improve the sensitivity of the instrument. For that reason, the comparative analysis of the reportedly used mobile phases and some few suggested ones was carried out on the multi-pesticide mixture of 0.1 mg/kg (100 μg/kg) standard solutions and quantified with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) instrument. Consequently, the best mobile phases setup that resulted in the sum of average total chromatographic peak areas (ATCPAs) and average total chromatographic peak heights (ATCPH) for the total ion chromatography (TIC) scans as an index that correspond to the concentration levels was selected [0.1% formic acid in H2O (A) and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (ACN) (B)]. And further optimization was successfully carried out on the selected mobile phase-A and the resulted setup [1% ACN and 0.1% formic acid in Milli-Q-water (mobile phase A) coupled with 0.1% formic acid in ACN (mobile phase-B)] improved the instrumental sensitivity on the targeted analytes. Thus, this justify the potential benefits of optimizing setup of the mobile phases prior to LC–MS/MS instrumentation of multi-pesticide analytes.
Part of the book: Biodegradation Technology of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants
Review of QuEChERS Methods for the Analysis of Mycotoxins in Food Samples
Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites present in foods which can cause adverse effects on humans and animals. Therefore, developing a simple, effective, sensitive and validated analytical method to monitor mycotoxins is essential. Sample preparation is an important step in the analysis of mycotoxins and other contaminants from complex food matrices. Food industries in developed and developing countries have faced serious challenges with contamination of mycotoxins especially aflatoxin in food and feed products. Thus, corn and cereal-based foods are mostly affected right from pre and postharvest periods. Owing to the complexity and structural nature of mycotoxins in foods and feeds there is an urgent need for simple, effective and environmentally friendly methods of sample preparation for the detection and quantification of aflatoxins in food samples. The paper reviews the application of the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method for the analysis of aflatoxins in foods.
Part of the book: Aflatoxins