Pesticides Residues in Pet Food
Description
these are the raw data corresponding to the article "Pesticides Residues in Pet Food: A Market-Based Study on Prevalence and Toxicological Implications"
Files
Steps to reproduce
A total of 83 commercial dry pet food products (40 for cats and 43 for dogs) were collected from retail stores, pet shops, and supermarkets in Gran Canaria (Spain), reflecting the predominant sales distribution patterns. Expiry dates were considered, and products with less than six months of remaining shelf life at the time of purchase were included. Both well-established brands and private-label supermarket brands were sampled, ensuring representation across cost tiers by classifying them into high- and low-quality categories based on the median price per kilogram. At least 40% of the samples contained plant-based ingredients to account for their potential impact on pesticide residues. Only nationally and internationally distributed brands available across the European Union were included, while bulk pet food products were excluded. Samples were stored in their original packaging under controlled conditions until analysis. Analytical-grade solvents (ACN, MeOH, FA) were sourced from Honeywell, and ultrapure water was obtained from a Milli-Q system. QuEChERS extraction salts (MgSO₄, NaCl, CH₃COONa) followed the AOAC protocol. Glass fiber prefilters and polyester syringe filters were supplied by Macherey-Nagel. Certified pesticide standards (211 analytes) were obtained from CPA Chem, complemented by individual standards and isotopically labeled internal standards from Dr. Ehrenstorfer and Sigma-Aldrich. Stock solutions (1000 µg/mL) were stored at –20°C, and working solutions (1 µg/mL) were freshly prepared before analysis. A validated multiresidue analytical method was employed for pesticide quantification in pet food, combining QuEChERS-based extraction with a freeze-out clean-up step, followed by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analysis. A 10 ± 0.05 g portion of each sample was mixed with ACN-FA, shaken, and subjected to ultrasound-assisted extraction. After centrifugation, the supernatant was filtered and purified through a freeze-out clean-up procedure before instrumental analysis. For quality control, samples were spiked with standard solutions and allowed to stand for one hour before extraction to ensure analyte incorporation. LC-MS/MS analysis was performed using a 1290 Infinity II LC system coupled to a Triple Quad 6460 mass spectrometer. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Poroshell 120 EC-C18 column with a binary gradient mobile phase. The system operated in dynamic MRM mode, using nitrogen as the collision gas. GC-MS/MS analysis was conducted on a 7890B GC system with a 7010 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Dual HP-5MS columns enabled chromatographic separation with a back-flushing technique. Electron impact ionization was used in MRM mode, with helium as the carrier gas. Quantification was based on matrix-matched calibration curves (0.002–80 µg/kg). Quality control included procedural internal standards and blank matrix samples spiked standard solutions.
Institutions
- Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria