# Detection of Dinotefuran Residues in Fruits and Vegetables Using GC-MS/MS and Its Environmental Behavior and Dietary Risks

## TL;DR

This study developed a sensitive method to detect dinotefuran in fruits and vegetables and assessed its environmental and dietary risks.

## Contribution

A new GC-MS/MS method with improved detection limits and recovery rates for dinotefuran in food samples.

## Key findings

- Dinotefuran residues were detected in nectarines (0.12 mg/kg) and cucumbers (0.02 mg/kg) from commercial samples.
- Dietary exposure risk was found to be below safety thresholds, but environmental risks to pollinators and leaching potential were noted.
- Dinotefuran degrades faster in soil than other neonicotinoids but still poses ecological concerns.

## Abstract

This study developed a gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method for detecting dinotefuran residues in fruits and vegetables. The modified extraction procedure employed solvent conversion for GC-MS/MS compatibility, achieving a linear range of 0.001–2.0 mg/kg (r2 > 0.999), a LOD of 0.003 mg/kg, and a LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg. Recovery rates ranged from 88.2% to 104.5% (RSD: 3.5–5.8%). The analysis of 18 commercial samples from Weifang, China, revealed the highest residues in nectarines (0.12 mg/kg) and lowest residues in cucumbers (0.02 mg/kg), with the dietary exposure risk assessment indicating hazard quotients well below safety thresholds. The literature review showed that dinotefuran has a shorter soil half-life (10–30 days) than most neonicotinoids, a low adsorption coefficient (Koc 30–50), high leaching potential, and significant toxicity to pollinators (LD50 = 0.023 μg/bee). The validated method provides reliable detection across diverse matrices, while the environmental behavior analysis highlights the need for the careful management of dinotefuran applications to minimize ecological impacts despite its favorable degradation profile compared to other neonicotinoids.