A rapid and on-site detection of pesticide residue from fruit samples based on surface swab-electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometry

A on-site and sensitive pesticide residue detection approach has been developed by electrospray ionization-ion mobility spectrometry (ESI-IMS) combined with a surface swab method. Different instrumental parameters, including ESI bias voltage, solution flow rate, and drift tube temperature, were individually optimized for the strong signal response. This analytical method showed a wide linear range, high sensitivity, acceptable repeatability, and a quick response time. Furthermore, the surface swab method was utilized for pretreatment; and hence, several factors were investigated to improve the sample collection technique’s performance. The calibrated recovery results for carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl, thiabendazole, pirimicarb, and thiacloprid in apple, pear, and tomato ranged from 71.4 to 121.2%, with RSDs of 0.4–12.7%, indicating good accuracy and applicability. Therefore, this study confirmed that ESI-IMS coupled with surface swab possesses a broad application prospect in the rapid, simple, and on-site detection of pesticide residues or other detrimental substances in foodstuffs.