Abstract Matrix solid-phase dispersion and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used for the rapid screening of 36 pesticides in agricultural products. Homogenized sample (0.5 g), C8-modified silica (0.5 g) and Na2SO4 (1 g) were mixed and transferred to a cartridge containing activated silica (0.5 g). Best recoveries (>60%) were found using dichloromethane-ethyl acetate (4:1) for elution. Analytical characteristics at spiking levels (10–100 lg/kg) were calculated for each pesticide. Matrix effects were studied by comparing the slopes of the matrix-matched calibration curves. Fruit and vegetable samples from South Africa complied with EU and South African current regulation, except for cypermethrin in green beans.

The use of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) as solid sorbent in Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion (MSPD) extraction and preconcentration method was presented to determine some commonly used organophosphorus insecticides/OPIs in honey samples using a Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). OPIs are poisonous compounds used to kill insects and rodents by affecting their nervous system. The limit of detections obtained after MSPD extraction were 7.0 ng/g for Malathion, Malaoxon and Fenitrothion and 33.3 ng/g for Isomalathion. The recovery of the insecticides from spiked honey, ranged from 83.6% to 103.3% with % RSD ranged from 9.8% to 12.3% (n=3). The correlation coefficient (R2) of the calibration data varied from 0.9945 to 0.9987. Standard addition method was utilized to examine matrix-induced effects on analyte peaks, and to demonstrate the efficiency of the method. The MSPD extraction was successfully applied for the analysis of four honey samples but no insecticide residues were detected.

Brazil is among the ten largest cultivated shrimp producers in the world, with the northeast being the largest producer of shrimp cultivated in the country. These regions of cultivation may undergo strong anthropic stress due contamination by all sort of compounds, including the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These compounds have been the source of several studies because they are considered mutagenic and carcinogenic. The objective of this work is to develop an analytical method based on the matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry for determination of 16 PAH in shrimp. The optimal working conditions were 0.5 g of the sample; 0.5 g of C18; 1.5 g of alumina; 150 seconds of homogenization and 8 mL of acetonitrile as the elution solvent. These last three variables were established through a factorial design of 23 with triplicate at the central point plus six axial points, evaluating them by the methodology of response surface analysis. The validation of the analytical method presented linearity in the range of 0.9915 to 0.999 and sensitivity in the concentration range of 5 to 100 ng g -1; selectivity based on matrix effect, accuracy and precision, with recovery values between 70 - 104% coefficients of variation lower than 13%, in the three levels of fortification (10, 25 and 50 ng g -1); (dry weight) limits of 0.7 to 5.0 ng g -1 and 1 to 5 ng g -1 respectively, the robustness was evaluated through the contour charts, which indicated that the method can be considered robust. This method was applied in four samples (A, B, C and D), with HPA predominating from 2 to 4 rings, sample A being the one with the highest concentration (280 ng g-1 for total PAH). In the three samples (A, B and C) benzo [a] anthracene have reached concentrations of 21, 18 and 14 ng g-1 respectively, which is considered probable carcinogenic to humans. The method was considered efficient in the extraction of PAH, when compared to the methods reported in the literature. It integrates the process of extraction and cleaning in a single and economical method and the consumption of materials used during the process is minimized. / O Brasil está entre os dez maiores produtores de camarão do mundo, sendo a região nordeste a maior produtora de camarão cultivado no país. As regiões de cultivo estão sob forte estresse ambiental, acarretando contaminação por vários compostos, incluindo os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA). Estes compostos têm sido fonte de diversos estudos, por apresentarem propriedades mutagênicas e carcinogênicas. Diante do exposto, este trabalho objetiva desenvolver um método analítico baseado na técnica de dispersão da matriz em fase sólida (MSPD) e cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas, para determinação de 16 hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA) em camarão. As condições ótimas de trabalho foram 0,5 g da amostra; 0,5 g de C18; 1,5 g de alumina; 150 segundos de homogeneização e 8 mL de acetonitrila como solvente de eluição. Estas três últimas variáveis estabelecidas através de um planejamento fatorial 23 com triplicata no ponto central mais seis pontos axiais, avaliando-as pela metodologia de análise de superfície de resposta. A validação do método analítico apresentou linearidade na faixa de 0,9915 a 0,999 e sensibilidade no intervalo de concentração de 5 a 100 ng g-1; seletividade com base no efeito de matriz, exatidão e precisão, com valores de recuperação entre 70 - 104% coeficientes de variação inferiores a 13%, nos três níveis de fortificação (10, 25 e 50 ng g-1); limites de detecção e quantificação (peso seco) de 0,7 a 5,0 ng g-1 e 1 a 5 ng g-1 respectivamente; robustez foi avaliada através dos gráficos de contorno, o qual indicou que o método pode ser considerado robusto. Este método foi aplicado em quatro amostras (A, B, C e D), com predominância dos HPA de 2 a 4 anéis, sendo a amostra A com a maior concentração total de HPA, 280 ng g-1. Nas amostras A, B, C foram encontrados benzo[a]antraceno 21; 18 e 14 ng g-1, respectivamente, este que é considerado provável cancerígeno ao homem. O método pode ser considerado eficiente na extração de HAP, quando comparado aos métodos relatados na literatura. Integra o processo de extração e limpeza em uma única etapa e econômico, pois o consumo de materiais e minimizado. / São Cristóvão, SE