QuEChERS Sample Preparation Method
QuEChERS is a type of dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) used for sample preparation. QuEChERS stands for ‘Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe’. Originally developed to prepare fruit and vegetable samples for pesticide residue analysis, this method is now used to analyze other chemical classes, including PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), and flame retardants. The concept was introduced in 2002 and is now specified in official methods of the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC 2007.01) and European Committee for Standardization (EN 15662:2008).
Related Technical Articles
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- The odor and pungency of ginger is due to the presence of terpenes, gingerols and shogaols. These compounds contribute to the highly complex matrix of ginger, which subsequently presents a challenge in low level analyses of contaminants. A novel 2-layer SPE cartridge efficiently reduces background for pesticide determination.
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- A procedure for cleanup of green tea extracts provides low background and allowed for the analysis of more pesticides at lower levels than QuEChERS. Uses less solvents and no toluene.
- The method for determination of low concentrations of chloramphenicol in bovine and porcine urine was developed. Sample cleanup was performed by Molecular Imprinted Polymer (MIP) columns. Confirmatory analyses were conducted using GC/MS-NCI after derivatisation (silylation). The described method was fully validated according to CD 2002/657/EC, CCa was 0.06 ng/mL, CCb was 0.1 ng/mL. This method is considerably robust and allows to process even very dirty samples. The described procedure is very simple, low-time-consuming, provides high throughput of examinated samples, and could be used for routine screening and confirmatory analyses as well.
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Related Protocols
- Potency testing in marijuana-infused edibles is an important problem that analytical labs are facing due to the complexity of the involved matrices. Concentration of active ingredients in these edibles can range from a few parts per million to 3.5 parts per thousand. This application demonstrates the extraction and HPLC-UV analysis of the active compounds.
- A short abstract on a method using QuEChERS and GC/MS/MS for determination of fipronil & fipronil sulfone.
- On Friday, April 27, 2018, the European Union decided to ban the use of three neonicotinoid insecticides from use on field crops, having deemed them dangerous to bees. This application demonstrates the analysis of these banned compounds and others from dandelion blossoms using QuEChERS and LC-MS.
- Extraction and Analysis of Agricultural Pesticides from Oranges Using the “QuEChERS” Method
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QuEChERS sample extraction
Solvent extraction techniques are designed to achieve maximum analyte yield from the base matrix. Analytes of interest are extracted from the sample matrix using water-miscible solvents (usually acetonitrile) and high concentrations of salt and/or buffering agents. Solvent selection is important to minimize compound co-extraction. Salts are used in the extraction step to create phase separation. They act as buffers to adjust the pH and remove water from the sample.
QuEChERS cleanup
Sample cleanup reduces interference during subsequent analysis, as interference can damage analytical instrumentation and complicate analyte identification and quantification. Unlike traditional sample cleanup methods using SPE tubes, in QuEChERS, cleanup is facilitated by mixing bulk amounts of SPE sorbents with the sample extract. Sorbents used in clean up remove matrix interferences that coextract with analytes of interest. The use of PSA, C18 or GCB (graphitized carbon black) sorbents remove sugars, lipids, sterols, organic acids, proteins, carotenoids, chlorophyll, and other pigments prior to a GC-MS/MS or LC-MS/MS analysis. Special Z-Sep sorbents may be needed to cleanup difficult matrices containing pigments or fat.
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