A greener proposal for the extraction of pesticides from sediment samples using the vortex-assisted matrix solid phase dispersion.

BACKGROUND

This study reports the development of an analytical method employing the vortex-assisted matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) for the extraction of 21 pesticides from sediment samples with determination by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

RESULTS

Important MSPD parameters (sample mass, type and volume of extraction solvent, type of solid support, homogenization and vortex time) were investigated, and higher recoveries were obtained using 2.0 g of sediment sample blended without a solid support, and 5 mL of ethanol as extraction solvent. The proposed method showed recoveries between 40 and 112 %, with relative standard deviations lower than 30 %, and limits of quantification between 2.50 (1.25 only for difenoconazole) and 125 ng g-1. Besides, the use of ethanol, lowest toxicity solvent tested, decreases the exposure of the analyst, in addition to the reduction of the amount of toxic residues, corroborating with some aspects of the green analytical chemistry.

SIGNIFICANCE: The developed method applied to real samples proved to be effective, less expensive, simple, environmentally friendly and faster than the traditional ones used in the determination of pesticides in sediment samples.