Pesticide Analysis Using QuEChERS Extraction : A Comparison of Manual and Automated Approaches

QuEChERS is a Quick-Easy-Cheap-Effective-Rugged-Safe extraction method that has been developed for the determination of pesticide residues in agricultural commodities. The European Standard is Method EN 15662:2008. While originally developed for plant matrices, the technique has since been adapted to be used in several applications and in many additional matrices. The rise in popularity of the technique and the increase in sample testing loads have lead to automation as a possible solution to increase productivity. The method, as mentioned, is a simple and fast extraction when compared to traditional semi volatile extraction techniques. However, it still requires dedicated manpower, sample prep equipment, manual spiking, manual pipetting, and a wide range of reagents and consumables. The analytical and practical challenges of automating this technique will be discussed and a comparison of extraction recoveries achieved both manually and by automation will be evaluated. Data will be presented that justifies automation as a possible solution to increase sample throughput, reduce costs, and improve the accuracy and precision of the extraction.