Extraction techniques for pesticide residues analysis in edible oils and role of sorbents in cleanup

Abstract Pesticide residue analysis enables researchers to detect the minute quantity of residual pesticides by applying sensitive analytical techniques which include gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. However, the sample preparation step prior to utilizing these sophisticated techniques is key to achieving the required sensitivity. The present article reviews the significant methods available for sample preparation for pesticide residue analysis in edible oil. Present sample extraction and cleanup section, most common extraction and cleanup techniques such as liquid‐liquid extraction, solid phase extraction/dispersive solid phase extraction and quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe method are discussed. Since selection of sorbent affects the recovery, matrix effect and rate of false positive and false negatives, hence, special attention has been paid to sorbents required for sample cleanup. Many sorbents are commercially available however their possible interactions with fatty acids and impurities have not been highlighted in literature. The present review not only highlights the role of commonly used sorbents such as florisil, graphitized carbon black, primary secondary amine and octadecyl bonded silicas but also discusses the pros and cons of newly developed sorbents.