Extraction Kits
The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method was developed in the early 2000s for the analysis of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables (high aqueous content matrices). Even though QuEChERS remains the mainstream approach to sample preparation in pesticide residue analysis, the scope of its analytical applicability has expanded into natural contaminants, veterinary drugs, mycotoxins, and other fields.
The principal action of the QuEChERS method is to select a sorbent material that will interact with particular matrix impurities in order to remove the impurity and leave behind the analytes of interest to be analyzed.
The first step of QuEChERS is sample extraction using acetonitrile followed by a salting out step to push the analytes of interest from the aqueous phase into the organic solvent. Agilent’s QuEChERS extraction kits feature pre-weighed anhydrous salts in sealed packets that allow salts to be added quickly and efficiently after the organic solvent has been added to the sample. Both unbuffered salts (QuEChERS Original method) and buffered salts (Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) and European Standard (EN) methods) are offered to accommodate all method protocols.
Agilent’s QuEChERS extraction kits can be purchased as salt packets only, salt packets with 50 mL polypropylene extraction tubes and caps, or salt packets with 50 mL polypropylene extraction tubes, caps, and ceramic homogenizers (CH).
The principal action of the QuEChERS method is to select a sorbent material that will interact with particular matrix impurities in order to remove the impurity and leave behind the analytes of interest to be analyzed.
The first step of QuEChERS is sample extraction using acetonitrile followed by a salting out step to push the analytes of interest from the aqueous phase into the organic solvent. Agilent’s QuEChERS extraction kits feature pre-weighed anhydrous salts in sealed packets that allow salts to be added quickly and efficiently after the organic solvent has been added to the sample. Both unbuffered salts (QuEChERS Original method) and buffered salts (Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC) and European Standard (EN) methods) are offered to accommodate all method protocols.
Agilent’s QuEChERS extraction kits can be purchased as salt packets only, salt packets with 50 mL polypropylene extraction tubes and caps, or salt packets with 50 mL polypropylene extraction tubes, caps, and ceramic homogenizers (CH).
Product Details
Features
- The choice of the original unbuffered method salts or the buffered (AOAC and EN) method salts should be based on the expected pH of the final extract and the pH sensitivity of the target analytes.
- Unbuffered salts work well for most analytes
- Buffered salts are used to maintain the necessary pH that will produce more accurate results for pH-sensitive pesticides.
- The AOAC salts are somewhat acidic and buffer the final extract to a pH of around 4.75
- The EN salts are a more neutral and buffer the extract to 5.0–5.5.
- Ceramic homogenizers break up salt agglomerates, promoting consistent sample extraction and increasing product recovery during extraction and dispersion.
How It Works
Applications
Featured References
- Publications
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- Tongchai, P.; Sawarng, N.; Wongta, A.; Jaitham, U.; Sutan, K.; Kawichai, S.; Jung, C.; Chuttong, B.; Hongsibsong, S. Optimization and Validation of a QuEChERS-Based Method Combined with GC-MS/MS for Analyzing Pesticide Residues in Edible Insects. Molecules 2025, 30 (11), 2293. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30112293.
- Al-Kindi, S.; Ahuja, A.; Al-Hilali, M.; et al. Screening of Veterinary Drug Residues in Marketed Milk and Eggs in Oman. International Journal of Nutrition, Pharmacology, Neurological Diseases 2024. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijnpnd.ijnpnd_79_24
- De Paola, E. L.; Montevecchi, G.; Masino, F.; Garbini, D.; et al. Determination of Acrylamide in Dried Fruits and Edible Seeds Using QuEChERS Extraction and LC Separation with MS Detection. Food Chemistry 2017, 217, 191–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.08.101
- Khorshid, M.; Souaya, E. R.; Hamzawy, A. H.; Mohammed, M. N. QuEChERS Method Followed by Solid Phase Extraction Method for Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fish. Int. J. Anal. Chem. 2015, 352610. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/352610
- Wozniak, B.; Zuchowska, I. M.; Zmudzki, J. Determination of Stilbenes and Resorcylic Acid Lactones in Bovine, Porcine, and Poultry Muscle Tissue by Liquid Chromatography–Negative Ion Electrospray Tandem Mass Spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography B 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchromb.2013.09.018
- Battu, J. R.; Karthik, S.; Yashaswini, G.; Thakur, H.; et al. LC–MS/MS Analysis of Carcinogenic Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines in Spodoptera litura Using the QuEChERS Method. Scientific Reports 2023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-37656-2
- Ghoniem, I. R.; Attallah, E. R.; Abo-Aly, M. M. Determination of Acidic Herbicides in Fruits and Vegetables Using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry 2017. https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2017.1306062
- Liang, J.; Dong, Y.; Yuan, X.; Fan, L.; et al. Fast Determination of 14 Mycotoxins in Chestnut by Dispersive Solid-Phase Extraction Coupled with UHPLC–MS/MS. Journal of Separation Science 2019. https://doi.org/10.1002/jssc.201900050
- De Berardis, S.; De Paola, E. L.; Montevecchi, G.; et al. Determination of Four Alternaria alternata Mycotoxins by QuEChERS Approach Coupled with Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Tomato-Based and Fruit-Based Products. Food Research International 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.01.032
- Stöckelhuber, M.; Müller, C.; Vetter, F.; Mingo, V.; Lötters, S.; et al. Determination of Pesticides Adsorbed on Arthropods and Gastropods by a Micro-QuEChERS Approach and GC–MS/MS. Chromatographia 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10337-017-3280-8
- Álvarez-Ruiz, R.; Picó, Y.; Sadutto, D.; Campo, J. Development of Multi-Residue Extraction Procedures Using QuEChERS and Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Different Types of Organic Pollutants in Mussels. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-021-03363-y