Residue distribution and risk assessment of two macrocyclic lactone insecticides in green onion using micro-liquid-liquid extraction (MLLE) technique coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A micro-liquid-liquid extraction (MLLE) technique coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was established and validated to determine the residues of two macrocyclic lactone insecticides (spinetoram and spinosad) in green onion. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method, as demonstrated by the lowest acceptable recovery level, was 0.01 mg kg⁻¹, and the obtained recoveries were 78.3–93.4% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) < 12.5%. The method was then applied for analyzing field samples collected after treatment with the tested insecticides under Egyptian open-field condition. The decline pattern, terminal residues, and dietary risk assessment of spinetoram and spinosad residues in green onion were evaluated for food safety. Spinetoram and spinosad residues' decline in green onion followed first-order kinetics with the half-lives of 1.2 and 1.42 days, respectively. Based on the results, the required period to reach their respective maximum residue limits (MRLs) was 1 and 0 days for spinetoram and spinosad residues in green onion, respectively, which indicates a short persistence level and high degradation rate. The results suggest that there is no unacceptable chronic or acute risk to human health from the consumption of green onion treated with spinetoram and spinosad according to the uses considered.