Bruker has demonstrated a robust and sensitive method for the detection of pyrethroid pesticides in sewage outfall and ocean sediment using the SCION TQ gas chromatography coupled triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-MS/MS) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode.
Pyrethroid insecticides are frequently found in environmental waters at levels potentially fatal to invertebrates and aquatic organisms. However, complex matrices such as sewage outfall and ocean sediment can present analytical challenges when testing for low levels of pesticides.
The new GC-MS/MS method from Bruker addresses these matrix challenges to deliver sensitive detection.
Pyrethroids are lethal to mayflies and other invertebrates at extremely low levels as well as being toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms. As the use of pyrethroids continues to increase, it is becoming increasingly important to monitor levels of the compounds in environmental waters and sediments, to understanding the impact of the compounds.
In pesticide monitoring, discrimination against matrix components arising from sewage and sediment extracts is critical, meaning laboratories are in need of sensitive and robust instruments.
The study explores how using the SCION TQ, Bruker has shown the benefits of using GC-MS/MS with MRM for low level pesticide analysis in delivering good specificity and selectivity in complex matrices. The importance in evaluating the ionization technique to get the best possible results for the analysis of pyrethroids in the matrices was also shown.
Joe Anacleto, VP Applied Markets, explained that “The SCION TQ delivers proven high sensitivity due to its unique lens-free design and curved ion pathway. The system is designed to match the needs of the busy laboratory, with streamlined method development through Compound Based Scanning (CBS) software.” Anacleto went on to say, “Altogether the SCION TQ offers significant advantages for pesticide analysis in complex matrices.”
The application note is available to download at http://bit.ly/BDALPyrethroids.