Development of LC-MS/MS analytical methods for metalaxyl in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi and Achyranthes japonica Nakai

A new rapid and simple method for metalaxyl in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi and Achyranthes japonica Nakai has been developed and validated. This study was conducted to develop a method for analyzing metalaxyl by a method based on QuEChERS using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Samples were extracted with acetonitrile and purified using amino-propyl (NH₂) Solid Phase Extraction cartridge. The method limit of quantitation (MLOQ) was 0.01 mg/kg. The linearity of matrixmatched calibration curve (r²) was ≥0.99 at the calibration range of 0.001-0.05 mg/kg. For recovery test, Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi or Achyranthes japonica Nakai was treated with standard solutions at MLOQ and 10MLOQ levels. Recovery rates were in the range of 88.1-109.1% with <5.5% coefficient of variation. This established analytical method was fully validated. Based on these results, it can contribute to improving the safety of residual pesticides in Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi and Achyranthes japonica Nakai.