Assessing human exposure to pesticides and mycotoxins: optimization and validation of a method for multianalyte determination in urine samples

In this study, an analytical method has been developed for the determination of 30 pesticides and 23 mycotoxins of concern in urine samples. A salting-out liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) procedure was optimized achieving recoveries between 70 and 120% for almost all the compounds and limits as lower as when QuEChERS was applied. The compounds were then determined by liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Different chromatographic conditions and analytical columns were tested, selecting a Hypersild gold aQ column as the best option. Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of 45 urine samples, in which organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides (detection rates (DR) of 82% and 42%, respectively) and ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol (DR of 51% and 33%, respectively) were the most detected compounds. The proposed analytical method involves the simultaneous determination of a diverse set of pesticides and mycotoxins, including their most relevant metabolites, in human urine. It serves as an essential tool for biomonitoring the presence of highly prevalent contaminants in modern society.PMID:38321180 | DOI:10.1007/s00216-024-05191-2

Source: Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry - February 6, 2024 Category: Chemistry Authors: Jes ús Marín-Sáez Maykel Hern ández-Mesa Jose A Gallardo-Ramos Laura G ámiz-Gracia Ana M Garc ía-Campaña Source Type: research