title: Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry multi-residual analysis of contaminants in Italian honey samples.
abstract: Contaminants belonging to various classes, including polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), pyrethroid insecticides (PYRs), fungicides (Fs), herbicides (Hs), synergists (SYNs) and insect growth regulators (IGRs) were analysed simultaneously in honey samples using a new simultaneous, easy and rapid method based on a liquid-liquid extraction with a mixture of n-hexane and ethyl acetate. It allowed recoveries in the range 80-137%, with limits of detection (LODs) between 0.10 and 5.21 ng g-1, showing a good sensitivity and accuracy. All the analysed Italian honeys showed the presence of residues of OPPs; PAHs were in 46.8% of the samples and PCBs were always below the LODs; 53.2% of the samples were contaminated by OCPs, PYRs, SYNs and IGRs. In addition, 46.8% of the samples exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by the European Community in honey for chlorfenvinphos (cis + trans), TPP, γ-HCH, tebuconazole, coumaphos and τ-fluvalinate (cis + trans).
authors.affiliation: a BioMorf Department , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saitta
authors.affiliation: a BioMorf Department , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppa
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8103-6942
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Bella
authors.affiliation: a BioMorf Department , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Rita
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Fede
authors.affiliation: a BioMorf Department , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6633-6920
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lo Turco
authors.affiliation: a BioMorf Department , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Angela Giorgia
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8608-2435
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Potortì
authors.affiliation: a BioMorf Department , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rando
authors.affiliation: b Agraria Department , Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria , Reggio Calabria , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: a BioMorf Department , University of Messina , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Giacomo
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0185-6591
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dugo
mesh_terms: D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D059022:Food Safety; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis*; D007558:Italy; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D010573:Pesticide Residues
keywords: GC-MS/MS; Honey; organic pollutants determination