Domestic Application of QuEChERS

Along with the rapid improvement of domestic technology, the QuEChERS analytical method is no longer just applied in the pesticide residue detection on food and fruits, but is also used for the extraction and purification of cereal samples with low moisture content. Moreover, it is also greatly used for pesticide residue detection in traditional Chinese medicine and tea leaves.

Application in Detection of Traditional Chinese Medicine

During its growth, traditional Chinese medicine will be sprayed the pesticides to prevent pests and diseases. However, the problem of pesticide residues in traditional Chinese medicines has become more serious. As the QuEChERS analytical method showed up, the scientists established the corresponding residue analysis method by combining it with the use of GC-MS. After that, matrix matching would be used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the QuEChERS-GC-MS method. It is now highly applied in the random inspection of Chinese herbal medicine stores in the market.

Application in Detection on Tea-Leaves

As a direct drink, the quality and safety of tea leaves are closely related to everyone’s health, especially in China which is the origin and also a big exporter of tea globally. Typically, there are three analytical methods applied in the detection of tea leaves.

Firstly, the QuEChERS-GC-ECD method is specially used to conduct the detection of pyrethroid and organochlorine pesticides in tea. Secondly, except for the pesticides mentioned before, the QuEChERS-GC-MS method could also detect organophosphorus pesticides contained in tea. Thirdly, the QuEChERS-LC/MS-MS method could detect trace pesticides with relatively complex matrices and severe background interference quickly and reliably, such as glyphosate.