Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry for multi-residue screening of pesticides, (veterinary) drugs and mycotoxins in edible insects

A generic extraction and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap™-HRMS method was developed for four insect species (mealworm, grasshopper, house cricket and black soldier fly) analyzing a large spectrum of organic chemical contaminants, including pesticides (n = 25), (veterinary) drugs (n = 29), and mycotoxins (n = 23). To prove the method as 'fit-for-purpose', a successful validation was performed, both qualitatively, by determining the screening detection limit (SDL), selectivity and specificity, as well as semi-quantitatively, by assessing the within-day precision (relative standard deviation (RSD)) and recovery. For both the mealworm, grasshopper, house cricket and black soldier fly, 64, 61, 59 and 62 compounds were detected at the respective SDL levels (1-100 μg kg-1), predominantly below existing maximum residue limits for other edible matrices. Mean recoveries ranged between 70% and 120% and RSD-values were in line with European regulations (CD 2002/657/EC; SANCO). Finally, the potential of the screening methodology was demonstrated on real insect samples, revealing minor to no contamination.