Highly-selective complex matrices removal via a modified QuEChERS for determination of triazine herbicide residues and risk assessment in bivalves

Abstract A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERs) method for determining triazine herbicide residues in bivalves (Mussels, Scallops, Cockles) was developed. The use of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as a selective purification material during dispersive-solid phase extraction (d-SPE) increased the removal rate of pigments interference. With 4% acidic acetonitrile as the organic modifier, the modified QuEChERs method achieved good extraction rate of herbicide residues. The satisfactory recoveries (80%–118%) and RSDs (1.0%–11.6%) of herbicide residues were obtained at three spiked levels. The limits of quantification of herbicide residues ranged from 0.10 μg/kg to 1.59 μg/kg. Further, the herbicide residues in bivalves collected in the eastern coasts of China was analyzed. The developed QuEChERs procedure coupled with GC–MS/MS was successfully applied to the herbicide residues detection in bivalves, and due to the extensive use of herbicides and the large consumption of bivalves in globally, the ongoing risk evaluation is needed.