Unified method for multiresidue pesticide analysis in corn and sediment

Due to Brazil?s significant role as a major global corn producer and the impact of pesticide accumulation in sediments on the health of aquatic ecosystems, this study addresses the need for a simplified method to assess pesticide residues in both matrices, corn and sediments. A modified QuEChERS method combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, was validated for the analysis of seven common pesticides in Paran? State, Brazil: desisopropylatrazine (DIA), deethylatrazine (DEA), diazinon, methyl parathion, pirimiphos methyl, malathion and pirimiphos ethyl. Following the guidelines of INMETRO and SANTE 12682/2019, the method achieved quantification limits (8.40?15.00 ?g kg-1 for sediment and 8.80?13.00 ?g kg-1 for corn) below the maximum residue limits (MRL) established by EC 396/2005 for corn. The procedure demonstrated excellent linearity (R2 > 0.99), recovery rates (70?120 %) and precision (relative standard deviations ? 20 %). This validated method provides a unified, reliable, and sensitive approach for the multiresidue analysis of pesticides in corn and sediment, which is beneficial for environmental monitoring and food safety, particularly in essential agricultural regions like Brazil.