Stereoselective LC-MS/MS methodologies for environmental analysis of chiral pesticides

Abstract

Chiral pesticides can exert stereospecific toxicity in contaminated environmental compartments. Therefore, measuring pesticides at the enantiomeric level is essential to assess the risk posed to exposed organisms, including humans. In recent years, there has been rapid progress on the development and application of stereoselective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) methodologies for monitoring pesticides in the environment. Coupling chiral LC separations with MS/MS detection enables trace enantiomeric determination of pesticides in complex environmental matrices. The intent of this review is to provide an up-to-date synopsis on recent advances of stereoselective LC–MS/MS methodologies for pesticide analysis. Key aspects of these methodologies discussed include sample storage and extraction method, stationary phases for separation, multi-residue separations, and method of quantitation. Finally, future trends in this rapidly growing field of analytical chemistry research are outlined.