The principle of the QuEChERS method is similar to that of high-performance liquid chromatography and solid-phase extraction, as both utilize adsorbent fillers interacting with impurities in the sample matrix to adsorb impurities and thus achieve purification. The homogenized sample is extracted with acetonitrile (or acidified acetonitrile) and, after salting out with extraction salts, impurities are removed using a centrifuge based on the matrix dispersion extraction mechanism with PSA or other adsorbents binding to most of the interfering substances in the matrix (organic acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, etc.), achieving purification.
GB 23200.113-2018 and GB 23200.121-2021 fully introduce the QuEChERS method, allowing a single sample pre-treatment method to be used simultaneously for GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS detection. The two standards cover a total of 465 types of pesticides. Therefore, only two injections are required to complete the determination of most pesticide residues specified in GB 2763-2019 "National Food Safety Standard Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Foods". The QuEChERS method greatly simplifies the pre-treatment process, shortens the pre-treatment time, and improves the applicability and detection efficiency of the national standard method.
GB 23200.113-2018 Standard Recommended Products
GB 23200.113-2018 "National Food Safety Standard - Determination of 208 Pesticides and Their Metabolites in Plant-Derived Foods by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry"
GB 23200.121.2021 Standard Recommended Products
GB 23200.121-2021 "Determination of Residual Amounts of 331 Pesticides and Their Metabolites in Plant-Derived Foods by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry"
Note: When determining sulfonylurea herbicides, cyclohexenone herbicides (alloxydim, alloxydim sulfoxide, alloxydim sulfone, chlomazone, tridiphane, sethoxydim), triazolinone herbicides (flumetsulam, penoxsulam, bensulfuron-methyl), fluopicolide, spirotetramat and its metabolites, halosulfuron-methyl, halosulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, cyproconazole metabolite CCIM, and fluridone, the amount of PSA can be appropriately reduced based on the above products.
The matrix of traditional Chinese medicinal materials is more complex. After extraction, not only are the pesticide residues extracted, but also related components of the sample matrix, such as oils, pigments, sugars, proteins, and organic acids. On July 26, the China Pharmacopoeia Commission released two announcements: "Draft for Comments on the 2341 Pesticide Residue Determination Method" and "Draft for Comments on the 0212 General Principles for the Inspection of Medicinal Material and Decoction Pieces".
Comparison Between the 2020 Edition Draft and 2025 Edition Draft of the 2341 General Principles
2341 Pesticide Residue Determination Method Pharmacopoeia Standard Pre-treatment Consumables Solution
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