Shimadzu has released the Smart Pesticides Database Ver. 2 for residual pesticides in foods using triple quadrupole gas chromatograph mass spectrometers (GC-MS/MS). This product was developed in collaboration with the Innovation Center established by Shimadzu last year at our U.S. subsidiary, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc. (SSI). This database contains 530 pesticides used in and outside of Japan, making it easier to create optimal simultaneous analysis methods. In addition, the optimal recommended calibration reagents, sample pretreatment kits, and GC consumables for pesticide analysis are available, providing total support for the analysis of residual pesticides in a variety of foods, from the pretreatment of samples to analysis.

The consumption of health foods using herbal medicines and other plant materials is growing, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. As a result, the focus of measurement is expanding beyond fresh foods to include processed foods and supplements, and the development of analysis methods for residual pesticides in these foods is advancing. However, processed foods as well as health foods contain many more contaminants than typical fresh foods. In addition, there are issues with sample pretreatment for extraction/cleanup processes and achieving high-accuracy analysis for health foods. Further, in emerging nations which have become countries of origin for ordinary fresh foods thanks to the expanded internationalization of food circulation, there is a strong need for both high-accuracy and easy residual pesticide analysis. In order to meet these needs, Shimadzu has developed Smart Pesticides Database Ver. 2. This database provides support for pesticides used outside of Japan and enables high-accuracy analysis, even for samples containing many contaminants. At SSI, measures have been taken to strengthen cooperation with the North American Chemical Residue Workshop (NACRW), the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC) and other academic societies involved in pesticide analysis. Through these activities, SSI is evaluating new test methods for health foods using plant materials. In terms of test methods, as the use of triple quadrupole GC-MS systems is specified, it is expected that this newly developed database will contribute to the evaluation of new test methods. In addition to information on triple quadrupole GC-MS systems, this database contains information on single quadrupole GC-MS, enabling a lower cost option for emerging nations where there is a strong need for residual pesticide analysis.

This database contains retention indices and MRM & SIM ion information for 530 pesticides used in and outside of Japan. An automatic method creation function (Smart MRM/SIM function) allows the optimal measurement programs to be created automatically for multiple components and single components in MRM and SIM mode. In addition, the database can be customized by changing the GC conditions and by adding new components.

This database supports various analysis conditions, including multicomponent simultaneous analysis and high-speed analysis, allowing the selection of methods to suit specific applications. In addition, the database supports the use of multiple columns with different polarities. Even if the pesticide peaks are affected by contaminants, using columns with different polarities enables the separation of peaks from target pesticides and contaminants. By using a single GC-MS unit equipped simultaneously with two columns (the Twin Line MS system), column replacement is not needed, enabling more efficient analysis of samples containing many contaminants.

If used in combination with the recommended certified standard substances, sample pretreatment kits, GC columns, and insert liners, the database enables high-accuracy pesticide analysis. The recommended pretreatment kits and protocols are suitable for processed foods, heath foods and other samples containing many contaminants, so this database can be used with many types of foods.