Analysis of Cypermethrin in Blueberries by Agilent 240 Ion Trap GC/MS^3

A rugged method has been developed on the Agilent 240 Ion Trap GC/MS using GC EI/MS^3 in blueberry matrix for cypermethrin. The method easily meets the requirements of fruit growers in the Pacific Northwest responsible for importing and exporting blueberry/caneberry. Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid used as an insecticide in large-scale commercial agricultural applications as well as in consumer products for domestic purposes. It behaves as a fast-acting neurotoxin in insects. Cypermethrin is an often used pesticide in the war against the Spotted Wing Drosophila for blueberry/caneberry growers/exporters. Though effective and widely accepted at a relatively manageable level for importers, cypermethrin has its challenges analytically. Cypermethrin was analyzed using the benefits of gas chromatography coupled to Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry (MS^3) or (GC/MS/MS/MS) as one solution to the growing problem experienced by testing laboratories around the world. MS^n is has been used as a research tool and not applied to the routine testing environment until now. Low detection levels along with excellent linearity and precision were afforded by the selectivity, sensitivity and simplicity of MS^3 detection of the 240 Ion Trap GC/MS.