Degradation of profenofos in aqueous solution and in vegetable sample by electron beam radiation

In this study, the role of accelerated electron irradiation on the removal of profenofos in aqueous solution and in peas was investigated. The samples were irradiated with a Rhodotron E-beam accelerator with 10 MeV energy at doses of 0 (control), 4.6, 12 and 32 kGy. Irradiated vegetable samples were extracted using a QuEChERS protocol (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe), allowing analysis of pesticide traces. Quantification of profenofos in aqueous solution was performed by using GC-MS in SIM mode and GC-MS/MS in MRM mode in vegetable sample. Degradation of profenofos increased with the E-beam dose and was much more important in aqueous solution than in vegetable. In irradiated aqueous solution, one degradation product was detected. •Profenofos aqueous solutions and peas were irradiated using Rhodotron E-beam accelerator.•During degradation, one degradation product was detected using GC-MS with EI + ionization mode.•Profenofos concentration decreased with increasing absorbed doses.•GC-MS/MS permitted high-sensitivity analysis of residual profenofos in irradiated pea.