Determination of Residues of Seven Carbamate Pesticides in Milk Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry and QuEChERS Methods

Abstract

Abstract An improved analytical method was developed for simultaneous quantification of seven carbamates in milk by ultra-performance LC combined with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Samples were extracted and purified using a modified Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) method. The LOQs ranged from 0.033 to 0.23 μg/kg; reasonable recoveries (85.4 to 110.9%) of the seven carbamates in milk were demonstrated at different spike levels. The developed analytical method would be appropriate for the routine, high throughput, high sensitivity quantification of the seven carbamates using modified QuEChERS pretreatment.