Fast, Simple QuEChERS Extraction and Cleanup of Pesticide Residue Samples
28 Aug 2017Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe, the QuEChERS method for extracting pesticides from food is based on research by the US Department of Agriculture. In addition to using less solvent and materials versus conventional SPE methods, QuEChERS employs a novel and much quicker dispersive solid phase extraction cleanup (dSPE). QuEChERS methods, including an AOAC Official Method and modifications to the methods, have been posted on the internet. This application note discusses a general QuEChERS method and highlights the basic steps these methods have in common.
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Rtx®-CLPesticides Columns
Restek Corp.Improved resolution and faster analyses, compared to 1701 or phenyl phases, make these the pesticide columns of choice.
Q-sep™ QuEChERS Tubes
Restek Corp.Q-sep™ QuEChERS Tubes for Pesticide Residue Analysis • Fast, simple sample extraction and cleanup using dSPE. • Fourfold increases in sample throughput. • Fourfold decreases in material cost. • Convenient, ready to use centrifuge tubes with ultra pure, preweighed adsorbent mixes. Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe, the QuEChERS ("catchers") method, developed by the USDA Eastern Regional Research Center, has become very popular for extraction and clean-up of pesticide residue samples. Our products are available in three centrifuge tube sizes to meet the needs of both extraction and cleanup of a wide variety of sample matrices following various methods. The researchers developed a simple two-step procedure. First, the homogenized samples are extracted and partitioned, using an organic solvent and salt solution. Then, the supernatant is further extracted and cleaned, using a dispersive SPE technique. Multiple adsorbents are placed in a centrifuge tube, along with the 1mL of organic solvent and the extracted residues partitioned from step 1. The contents are thoroughly mixed, then centrifuged, producing a clean extract ready for a variety of GC or HPLC analytical techniques. Validation and proficiency data for the QuEChERS method are available for a wide variety of pesticides in several common food matrices on their website.