University of Jiroft | Mahboube Shirani

Research

Title	Simultaneous multiple determination of pesticide residues in pistachios utilizing a QuEChERS-based method combined with UPLC-MS/MS, GC–MS/MS, and Monte Carlo simulation for health risk assessment
Type	Article
Keywords	Pesticide residues Pistachio QuEChERS GC–MS/MS UPLC-MS/MS Health risk assessments
Researchers	Heshmatollah Ebrahimi-Najafabadi, najmeh Sheibani, Rasoul Rezaei, Elahe Bozorgzadeh, Mahboube Shirani, moslem basij

Abstract

Pesticides are widely used in agriculture, posing significant food safety challenges. This study examined 120 fresh pistachio samples for 211 pesticide residues. A QuEChERS method was utilized for extracting and cleaning the samples, with analysis performed using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) and ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Calibration curves showed high linearity (R2 > 0.9961) across concentrations from 0.015 to 0.30 mg/kg. Recovery rates ranged from 78 % to 117 %, with Limits of Detection (LODs) of 0.001–0.003 mg/kg. Seven pesticide residues were detected, including acrinathrin, chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, and malathion, with some exceeding Maximum Residue Limits. Despite this, the study concluded no significant long-term health risks from pistachio con sumption for children or adults, as assessed by probabilistic methods and Hazard Quotient rankings. The results indicate detected residue levels do not pose serious risks to consumers.