Residuos de plaguicidas en biomasa agrícola de chile (Capsicum annuum L.) usando un método QuEChERS acoplado a LC-MS/MS y GC-MS/MS: Pesticide residues in agricultural biomass of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) using a QuEChERS method coupled to LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS

The intensive production of horticultural crops generates large amounts of agricultural biomass (BA), which is burned in the open field or deposited in landfills becoming an environmental problem, especially if they are contaminated by pesticide residues. The study aimed to evaluate the presence of pesticides in the BA of bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, and poblano pepper, using a QuEChERS method coupled to LC/MS-MS and GC/MS/MS. An analysis of the maximum residue limits was carried out, contrasting different regulations worldwide. Pesticide residues were quantified in the three BA, with jalapeño and poblano peppers being the most contaminated, highlighting lambda-cyhalothrin (1.11 mg/kg⁻¹), bifenthrin (1.62 mg/kg⁻¹), cypermethrin (0.34 mg/kg⁻¹), imidacloprid (4.51 mg/kg⁻¹) and cyromazine (4.04 mg/kg⁻¹). Pesticide residues were identified in the BA, so its disposal is recommended to be regulated and monitored.