Residue and dissipation kinetics of thiamethoxam in a vegetable-field ecosystem using QuEChERS methodology combined with HPLC–DAD

The dissipation kinetics and residual levels of thiamethoxam in potato and soil under field ecosystem were determined using a QuEChERS method with HPLC–DAD. At fortification levels of 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 5.0 mg kg−1, it was shown recovery was 99.4% (95.3–103.5%) for potato tubers, and 88.5% (86–91%) for soil with coefficient variation of the method (CV%) was less than 4% in potato tubers, and in soil less than 11%. For repeatability ranged from 1.27% to 4.77%. The LOD and LOQ were estimated to be 0.02 and 0.06 mg kg−1, respectively. The half-lives were 2.92 and 1.4 days, respectively. The terminal residues of thiamethoxam were below the maximum residue limit (MRL 0.2 mg kg−1) after 6 days, which considered to be safe for human beings. These results contribute to establishing the scientific basis of the dosage of thiamethoxam for use in vegetable-field ecosystems.