Optimization and validation of a method for the determination of acidic pesticides in cabbage and spinach by modifying QuEChERS procedure and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Abstract A quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method was developed and combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to analyze 12 acidic pesticides in cabbage and spinach. The extraction solvents, phase partition salts and sorbents effect was studied to optimize the method followed by dilution before sample injection. The extraction involved 5% formic acid in acetonitrile, and the liquid-liquid partition was salt-induced. Carbopack Z, a high surface area graphitized carbon black, was a new sorbent used in the clean-up. The results show that Carbopack Z effectively removes interferences with little loss of acidic pesticides. All tested pesticide recoveries were satisfactory when Carbopack Z was combined with C18 in the clean-up at optimized condition. After clean-up, the extract was subjected to 10-fold dilution to sufficiently reduce the matrix effect (