AUSTIN, Texas (December 1, 2009) - Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced a new method that enables rapid and accurate identification and quantification of pesticides in rice. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) extraction method takes advantage of the Thermo Scientific ITQ 700 GC-ion trap mass spectrometer and the Thermo Scientific FOCUS GC gas chromatograph to increase speed and improve sample preparation The application note describing the method, entitled "Multi-residue Pesticide Analysis in Rice by a Modified QuEChERS Extraction and Ion Trap GC/MSⁿ Analysis," is available to download via the applications focus area at www.thermo.com/gcfoodsafety.  

Recently formulated pesticides are smaller in molecular weight than their predecessors and are designed to break down rapidly in the environment. As a result, more careful consideration must be placed on the sample preparation for extraction and the instrument parameters for analysis in order to successfully identify and quantify these compounds in foods. The QuEChERS sample preparation method, which is already shown to simplify the determination of pesticides in fruits, vegetable, grains and herbs, can now be used to successfully prepare rice extracts before ion trap GC/MSⁿ analysis.  

The study was performed by pairing the ITQ 700 with the Thermo Scientific FOCUS GC gas chromatograph to establish the linear ranges, quantitation limits and detection limits for a list of pesticides that are commonly used on rice crops. Samples were prepared in matrix using the QuEChERS sample preparation method, which involves extraction, clean-up and solvent exchange processes. The ITQ 700 GC-ion trap MS demonstrated excellent accuracy at low concentrations of 33 pesticide residues analyzed in rice. The optional MSⁿ mode was shown to offer enhanced selectivity over scanning modes such as full scan and selected ion monitoring (SIM). This enables users to identify, confirm and quantify the existence of pesticides in a single analytical run. In addition, the daily analysis of endrin, DDT and their breakdown products confirmed the system's ability to analyze active compounds without the need for continual, expensive and time-consuming maintenance. 

For more information about the Thermo Scientific GC/MS food safety applications, please call +1 866-463-6522, e-mail analyze@thermofisher.com. To download the application note, visit www.thermo.com/gcfoodsafety.    

Thermo Scientific is part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science. 

About Thermo Fisher Scientific

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science, enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With 2008 revenues of $10.5 billion, we have approximately 34,000 employees and serve over 350,000 customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as environmental and industrial process control settings. Serving customers through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, we help solve analytical challenges from routine testing to complex research and discovery. Thermo Scientific offers customers a complete range of high-end analytical instruments as well as laboratory equipment, software, services, consumables and reagents to enable integrated laboratory workflow solutions. Fisher Scientific provides a complete portfolio of laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and services used in healthcare, scientific research, safety and education. Together, we offer the most convenient purchasing options to customers and continuously advance our technologies to accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, enhance value for customers and fuel growth for shareholders and employees alike. Visit http://www.thermofisher.com/.