The objective of the experiment described here was to set up a complete analytical solution to enable commercial food testing laboratories to analyze 155 pesticide residues in milk using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The optimized method was validated per SANTE validation guidelines and assessed for MRL compliance per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as well as the European Commission (EC).
In agriculture, crops like fruits, vegetables, and cereals are treated with different types of pesticides including insecticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fungicides. These pesticides can be transferred from plants to animals through the food chain and can accumulate in higher organisms.1 Sometimes pesticides are sprayed directly on animal housing for insect pest management.2 Both sources lead to the bioaccumulation of pesticides in animal products like milk and meat. Pesticide residues have a more significant impact on human health through chronic effects.3 Applications of pesticides cause acute as well as chronic effects and may also lead to death in extreme cases.4 Currently, there are 288 chemicals registered under the Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC), Government of India.5 Controlling the presence of pesticide residues in fresh milk and milk products is a big concern for the producer, consumer, and government due to the potential health risks. Therefore, monitoring pesticide residues in milk is becoming more critical. A citrate buffered QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method was used followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with a Thermo Scientific™ TSQ™ 9000 triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS system.6 The data acquisition and processing were carried out using Thermo Scientific™ TraceFinder™ software. The optimized method was validated per the SANTE/11813/2017 validation guidelines.7
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