Rapid analysis of paraquat and diquat in beer and malt using LC-MS/MS

Abstract

Paraquat and diquat are fast-acting herbicides that have been used worldwide. While they might pose food safety risks, their extremely basic and polar properties make it difficult to sensitively analyze these herbicides in food components. In the present study, a rapid and sensitive analysis (LOQ=10 µg/kg) of beer and malt samples using LC-MS/MS was performed under ion pair chromatography conditions. Samples were prepared by extraction with dilute HCl and purification with a weak cation exchange SPE cartridge.