Rapid and reliable screening method for detection of 70 pesticides in whole blood by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using a constructed calibration-locking database

Pesticide poisoning is one of the most common causes of death by poisoning in Japan, and various kinds of pesticides including organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids are listed as causative substances. The purpose of our study was to develop a rapid and reliable screening method for various kinds of pesticides in whole blood by using a unique calibration-locking database and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. A database of 70 pesticides was constructed using NAGINATA? software with parameters such as mass spectrum, retention time and qualifier ion/target ion ratio (QT ratio) and calibration curve. Diazepam-d₅ was used as the internal standard for construction of each calibration curve within the range of 0.01–5.0 μg/ml. We examined the applicability of the constructed database by analyzing whole blood samples spiked with 70 pesticides. The pesticides in blood were extracted with hexane under acidic conditions or with an enhanced polymer column (Focus?), subjected to GC–MS, and screened by the pesticides database. Among the 70 pesticides examined, 66 and 62 were successfully identified at the level of 1 and 0.1 μg/ml, respectively, by hexane and 63 and 51 were identified by the Focus column without the use of standard compounds. The time required for data analysis was significantly reduced. Since the established method can produce qualitative and semi-quantitative data without the need for standard substances, this new screening method using NAGINATA? should be useful for confirming the presence of pesticides in blood in future clinical and forensic cases.