AUSTIN, Texas (January 18 2011) - Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science today announced it has developed a faster screening method for pesticides, enabling labs to simultaneously screen and
confirm the presence of more than 1000 pesticides, at low levels, using a
single injection. Other commonly used techniques require multiple injections
in order to comply with increasingly stringent regulations. The new method,
which uses the Thermo Scientific Quantum GC, can acquire 3,000 timed
selective reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions per run, increasing sample
throughput while ensuring accuracy in a matrix. The method, detailed in an
application note entitled "Rapid Analysis of 303 Pesticide Residues in Green
Bean Using Triple Quadrupole GC-MS/MS," is available via www.thermoscientific.com/303.
The Thermo Scientific Quantum GC can acquire 3,000 timed SRM transitions per run, increasing sample throughput while ensuring accuracy in a matrix.
Pesticides used to prevent, destroy and control pests on food crops often
leave residues on agricultural products that pose risks to consumers.
Effects range from short-term health problems such as headaches and
dizziness to long-term damage to the nervous system and, in some cases,
cancer.
Gas chromatography (GC) with element-selective detectors and single
quadrupole gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are techniques
commonly used for GC-amenable pesticide residue analysis in laboratories. As
the use of pesticides increases and maximum residue levels (MRLs) set by
regulations become more stringent, labs are requiring alternatives to
existing techniques that require one sample be analyzed using several
injections and multiple methods. The new Thermo Fisher Scientific GC-MS/MS
method enables the rapid screening and confirmation of more than 1000
pesticides in just one injection, increasing productivity and, by delivering
results faster, safeguarding human health. The method is designed to
facilitate compliance with the European Council Directive 96/23/EC, which
requires at least two SRM transitions per compound.
In this method, scientists analyzed 303 pesticides in green beans in a
single run using the TSQ Quantum GC under timed-SRM mode. The timed-SRM
function enabled the acquisition of a total of 652 transitions. The dwell
time of each transition was automatically maximized for each compound to
give the best sensitivity for all pesticides. Using this method, linearity
and recoveries are achieved within industry requirements and sensitivity can
easily reach 0.0040 mg/kg for all pesticides in green beans. The new method
demonstrates that timed-SRM mode is an extremely effective method for
screening and determining large amounts of pesticides at low levels in the
sample matrix.
For more information on the rapid analysis of pesticide residues with triple
quadrupole GC-MS/MS or to obtain a copy of the application note, please call
+1 866-463-6522, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.thermoscientific.com/gcms.
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving
science. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier,
cleaner and safer. With revenues of more than $10 billion, we have
approximately 35,000 employees and serve customers within pharmaceutical and
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and process control industries. We create value for our key stakeholders
through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, which
offer a unique combination of continuous technology development and the most
convenient purchasing options. Our products and services help accelerate the
pace of scientific discovery, and solve analytical challenges ranging from
complex research to routine testing to field applications. Visit www.thermofisher.com.