Residue Evaluation of Spiromesifen in Tomato fruits, Leaves, and Soil in Baghdad-Iraq using QuEChERS Extraction via FID-Gas Chromatography

Abstract

Abstract Spiromesifen is an insecticide used to control whiteflies, red spider mites, and other pests in agriculture. This study has investigated a selective gas chromatography (GC) analytical method to determine spiromesifen residue levels in tomato fruits, leaves, and soil. Samples were extracted and cleaned utilizing a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method prior to GC analysis. Validation studies were performed by spiking blank tomato fruits, leaves, and soil samples at 0.5, 1, and 10 µg/mL spiromesifen. Satisfactory recoveries were achieved with percentage recoveries of 98.74%, 93.92%, and 94.18% for fruits, leaves, and soil, respectively. Negligible matrix effects were observed, with values of -7.9%, -7.8%, and − 5.3% for fruits, leaves, and soil correspondingly. The method exhibited strong linearity across a spiromesifen concentration range of 0.002-20 µg/mL, with R2 values exceeding 0.9900. Repeatability was also demonstrated via relative standard deviations of < 3%. Confirmatory studies were performed via GC–MS in selective ion monitoring mode within a mass range of 271–274 (m/z). Under greenhouse conditions, spiromesifen residues on the tomato fruits, leaves and soil were 3.39, 8.24 and 1.39 mg.kg− 1, respectively. The dissipation of spiromesifen residues followed first-order rate kinetics and degraded within a dissipation time of 50% of 1.6 days. This study was indicates that the proposed GC analytical methodology enables selective, accurate, and precise quantification of spiromesifen residues in tomato fruits, leaves, and soil. The method could be utilized for monitoring spiromesifen levels in agricultural environments to ensure compliance with insecticide regulations.