A novel LCMSMS method with dual ESI and APCI source was developed for analysis of 66 pesticides and 5 mycotoxins regulated by California state in medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil cannabis tinctures. The LOQs of all of pesticides and mycotoxins were well below California action limits of these analytes in cannabis based edible products. We analyzed 62 out of 66 pesticides and 5 mycotoxins on California list with ESI source. The rest of four pesticides (normally analyzed by GC-MS/MS) out of 66 pesticides on California list were analyzed in cannabis tincture matrix using APCI ion source with good selectivity, sensitivity and linearity. We would also elucidate the ionization mechanism of pentachloronitrobezene (PCNB) and other pesticides analyzed with our APCI method by analyzing its mass spectra and studying the effect of mobile phase composition on signal of PCNB and reagent ions such as superoxide. A simple, fast and cheap solvent extraction method was used for sample preparation to get good recovery and achieve high throughput for this analysis. A number of internal standards were added to our method to compensate for ion suppression effects from hydrophobic medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil matrix for late eluting analytes. The ability to screen and quantitate all 66 pesticides, including the very hydrophobic and chlorinated compounds normally analyzed on a GC-MS/MS system, and the five mycotoxins, makes this method a novel way to screen and quantitate pesticides and mycotoxins in cannabis tincrtures with a single instrument.

Novel LC-MS/MS method with dual ESI and APCI ion source for analysis of California regulated pesticides and mycotoxins in medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil cannabis tinctures

ACS Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting

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