Search

• Method in pomegranate whole fruits and arils developed was validated in LC-MS/MS. • For all the pesticides, limit of quantification was 10 µgkg−1 which less than MRLs. • Recovery at 10, 50, and 100 µgkg−1 recorded 70–120 % and RSD > 15% in both matrices. • Measurement uncertainty (U exp) at 50 µgkg−1 was in the range of 4.02–16.12 µgkg−1. • Method is highly suitable for quantifying residues in whole fruits, peel, and arils. An analytical method in pomegranate whole fruits and arils was developed in LC-MS/MS and validated as per SANTE/12682/2019. Samples were extracted following acetonitrile-based modified QuEChERS protocol. The method was linear and the coefficient of determination ranged between 0.998 and 0.999. Through this method, all the pesticides were detected and quantified at 10 µg kg−1. The accuracy test at 10, 50, and 100 µg kg−1 spiking level recorded recovery between 70 and 120% and RSD less than 15% in both matrices. No significant matrix effect was observed for most pesticides. Intra (RSDr) and inter-day (RSDwr) precision estimated at 50 µg kg−1 found acceptable RSD in both matrices. Measurement uncertainty at 50 µg kg−1 was in the range of 4.02 to 16.12 µg kg−1. Quantifying pesticides in pomegranate whole fruits, peel, and arils using the proposed method is highly suitable and reproducible for 74 pesticides in a short run time of 25.00 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The purpose of this study was to investigate pesticides in fruits and vegetables. [•] The focus of this study was on fruits and vegetables grown in Turkey. [•] 1423 Samples were collected during the 2010–2012 seasons. [•] 754 Samples contained detectable pesticide residues at or below MRLs. [•] 131 Of the samples contained pesticide residues above MRLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]