SCIEX and NofaLab collaboration delivers robust and sensitive method for detecting multiple pesticides in a single run

Warrington UK, — SCIEX, a global leader in life science analytical technologies, today announced the development of the first non-derivatised method using LC-MS/MS for quick and simple detection and quantitation of glyphosate and other polar pesticides in food, feed and water commodities. Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum systemic herbicide that is used by farmers worldwide. Its use has regularly been questioned due to its potentially hazardous nature to humans and toxicity to aquatic life. However, the regulatory bodies have differing opinions on these issues and its use in farming is still authorised.

Previous analytical strategies, especially for LC-MS/MS analysis, have required laborious and often time-consuming derivatisation of glyphosate and its metabolites to allow the polar nature of the compounds to be identified more easily under reverse-phase LC-MS conditions. To simplify the sample preparation and thus the overall method, SCIEX partnered with the Rotterdam-based contract testing laboratory, NofaLab, to develop a non-derivatised method.

"This has been a very fruitful collaboration," said Wim Broer, Manager Development and Science at NofaLab. "We have created a unique method that analyses glyphosate, its metabolites and several other compounds in a single run, without having to derivatise the sample, which will be extremely valuable for sample testing labs."

The new method, based on ion chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, has high sensitivity, linearity and reproducibility for food, feed and water samples. The column lifetime lasts to well over 1000 matrix samples, giving unprecedented robustness for glyphosate testing.

"This method is optimised for the SCIEX 6500+ QTRAP® LC-MS/MS System, which gives very high sensitivity, with detection levels well below the maximum residue levels permitted for all compounds tested," said Daniel McMillan, Business Development Manager, SCIEX. "The method is also suitable for difficult matrices such as herbs and spices, and the large injection volumes make it possible to analyse water samples as well, all on the same column."

The NofaLab method is available for demonstration to all SCIEX 6500+ System customers, for more information please contact Ashley.Sage@sciex.com.