• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.259-266
• /
• 2021

Cannabis (Marijuana) is one of the most widely used drugs in the world, and its distribution has been controlled in South Korea since 1976. Identification of 11-nor-Δ⁹-carboxy-tetrahydrocannabinol (THCCOOH) in urine can provide important proof of cannabis use, and it is considered scientific evidence in the forensic field. In this study, we describe a simultaneous quantitative method for identifying THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide in urine, using simple liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). THCCOOH-D₃ and THCCOOH-glucuronide-D₃ were used as internal standards. Validation results of the matrix effect, as well as recovery, linearity, precision, accuracy, process efficiency, and stability were all satisfactory. No carryover, endogenous or exogenous interferences were observed. The limit of detection (LOD) of THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide were 0.3 and 0.2 ng/mL, respectively. The developed method was applied to 28 authentic human urine samples that tested positive in immunoassay screening and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) tests. The ranges of concentrations of THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide in the samples were less than LOQ~266.90 ng/mL and 6.43~2133.03 ng/mL, respectively. The concentrations of THCCOOH-glucuronide were higher than those of THCCOOH in all samples. This method can be effectively and successfully applied for the confirmation of cannabinoid use in human urine samples in the forensic field.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.228-238
• /
• 2021

The aim of this research was to develop a rapid and easy multi-residue method for determining dimethipin, omethoate, dimethipin, chlorfenvinphos and azinphos-methyl in agricultural products (hulled rice, potato, soybean, mandarin and green pepper). Samples were prepared using QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) and analyzed using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Residual pesticides were extracted with 1% acetic acid in acetonitrile followed by addition of anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) and anhydrous sodium acetate. The extracts were cleaned up using MgSO₄, primary secondary amine (PSA) and octadecyl (C₁₈). The linearity of the calibration curves, which waas excellent by matrix-matched standards, ranged from 0.005 mg/kg to 0.3 mg/kg and yielded the coefficients of determination (R²) ≥ 0.9934 for all analytes. Average recoveries spiked at three levels (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 mg/kg) and were in the range of 74.2-119.3%, while standard deviation values were less than 14.6%, which is below the Codex guideline (CODEX CAC/GL 40).

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.211-216
• /
• 2023

A total of 100 commercially available olive oil products were analyzed for 179 pesticide residues using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS). The olive oil samples were mixed with organic solvents, centrifuged and frozen to remove fat, and pesticide residues were analyzed using the "quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe" (QuEChERS) method. The determination coefficient (R²) of the analysis method used in this study was ≥0.998. The detection limit of the method ranged 0.004-0.006 mg/kg and its quantitative limit ranged 0.012-0.017 mg/kg. The recovery rate (n=5) measured at the level ranging 0.01-0.02, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/kg ranged 66.8-119.5%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was determined to be ≤5.7%, confirming that this method was suitable for the "Guidelines for Standard Procedures for Preparing Food Test Methods". The results showed that a total of 151 pesticides (including difenoconazole, deltamethrin, oxyfluorfen, kresoxim-methyl, phosmet, pyrimethanil, tebuconazole, and trifloxystrobin) were detected in 64 of the 100 olive oil products. The detection range of these pesticide residues was 0.01-0.30 mg/kg. The percentage acceptable daily intake (%ADI) of the pesticides calculated using ADI and estimated daily intake (EDI) was 0.0001-0.1346, indicating that the detected pesticides were present at safe levels. This study provides basic data for securing the safety of olive oil products by monitoring pesticide residues in commercially available oilve oil products. Collectively, the analysis method used in this study can be used as a method to analyze residual pesticides in edible oils.