Targeted and non-targeted analysis of pesticides and aflatoxins in baby foods by liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometry

In this study, 21 pesticides and 4 aflatoxins were monitored in baby food marketed Brazil, applying ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS). The quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe (QuEChERS) extraction method combined with dispersive solid-phase (d-SPE) clean-up was applied primary secondary amine (PSA), octadecylsilane (C18) C18 silica coated zirconium dioxide (Z-Sep+) used during the stage. Suitable performance criteria, set by SANTE/2020/12830 guidelines, achieved, therefore, all targeted analytes successfully validated. analysis of 50 samples. Cypermethrin detected at 10.3 μg kg −1 (above maximum residue level (MRL) established European Union (EU)). Furthermore, suspect screening performed for reliable identification contaminants not included study such as other pesticides, mycotoxins, hormones, veterinary drugs their metabolites. Finally 10 one metabolite detected, demonstrating suitability proposed approach. • LC-HRMS determine food. Validated suitable values linearity, trueness, precision LOQs. 68% samples contaminated least pesticide. a that exceeded MRL EU. parent compounds screening.