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Research Project: ULTRA-FAST METHODS AND INSTRUMENTATION FOR THE ANALYSIS OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS IN THE FOOD SUPPLY

Location: Residue Chemistry and Predictive Microbiology

2010 Annual Report


1a.Objectives (from AD-416)
The main objective is to significantly speed the analytical detection process for hundreds of pesticide and veterinary drug residues in different types of foods.

The proposed research is designed to further develop supersonic molecular beam mass spectrometry (SMB-MS) technology with its related sample preparation and operation methods to provide ultra-fast analysis of pesticides, drugs, and environmental contaminants in foods with full analysis cycle time of < 1 min. We shall explore: a) unique high flow rate universal SMB-MS for gas chromatography; b) novel open probe SMB-MS/MS as an even faster alternative; c) liquid flow injection SMB-MS/MS to eliminate ion suppression effects; and d) fast SMB-MS for liquid chromatography. Appropriate sampling protocols and sample preparation methods will be devised for the ultra-fast detection approaches to ensure meaningful results. Emphasis will be given to address the needs of fast pesticide and veterinary drug analysis prior to food distribution and to meet the ultra-fast analytical demands of possible food terrorism scenarios.


1b.Approach (from AD-416)
We shall explore new and novel sample preparation approaches for the multiclass, multiresidue analysis of drug residues in foods. Prof. Amirav will further develop supersonic molecular beam mass spectrometry, particularly using liquid chromatography for the polar drug analytes rather than gas chromatography as was the case for pesticides.


3.Progress Report

The main objective of this project is to significantly speed the analytical detection process for hundreds of pesticide and veterinary drug residues in different types of foods. The research is predominantly designed to further develop supersonic molecular beam mass spectrometry (SMB-MS) technology with its related sample preparation and operation methods to provide ultra-fast analysis of pesticides, drugs, and environmental contaminants in foods with full analysis cycle time of < 1 min. We are exploring a unique high flow rate universal SMB-MS for gas chromatography (GC), a novel open probe SMB-MS/MS as an even faster alternative, a liquid flow injection SMB-MS/MS to eliminate ion suppression effects, and a fast SMB-MS for liquid chromatography (LC). Sampling protocols and sample preparation methods are being devised for the ultra-fast detection approaches to ensure meaningful results. Emphasis is given to address the needs of fast pesticide and veterinary drug analysis prior to food distribution and to meet the ultra-fast analytical demands of possible food terrorism scenarios. In the first year of the project, we have improved upon the analysis of notoriously difficult-to-analyze fungicides, captan, folpet, and captafol, using GC-SMB/MS. This is critical in the overall analysis scheme to include as many residues as possible. We also devised low-pressure GC-MS/MS conditions for 150 pesticides in a 10 minute analysis. Validation of the method using the harmonized QuEChERS version for widely different food matrices were completed, plus qualitative identification of the randomly added pesticides as low as 10 ng/g in blind samples was conducted. The project is progressing well and is on schedule. Communication with the collaborators was through email and conference calls.


   

 
Project Team
Lehotay, Steven
 
Project Annual Reports
  FY 2012
  FY 2011
  FY 2010
 
Related National Programs
  Food Safety, (animal and plant products) (108)
 
 
Last Modified: 05/18/2013
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