A rapid determination method for ethylenethiourea in potato and cucumber by modified QuEChERS – High performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive analytical method for the determination of ethylenethiourea (ETU) in potatoes and cucumbers is developed. This method employs modified QuEChERS followed by high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) analysis. ETU was extracted by alkaline acetonitrile (containing1%NH3.H20), separated on a ZIC-pHILIC column, confirmed by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with electrospray ionisation source. This modified procedure showed satisfactory recovery (90.6–103.5%) fortified at the range of 0.005–0.05 mg kg−1 with relative standard deviation (RSD) < 7%. The limits of detection (LOD) and the limits of quantification (LOQ) were 0.002 mg kg−1 and 0.005 mg kg−1, respectively. Matrix effect and HILIC retention mechanism were also evaluated. The method was finally applied to detect ETU in potato and cucumber samples collected at harvest period. Residues of ETU were detected in four cucumber samples with the level lower than LOQ.