Innovative procedure based on low-density liquid-phase microextraction (LD-LPME) for pesticides multiresidues determination in industrialized sugars from sugarcane

Brazil is the world's largest sugarcane producer, and sugar is one of its main byproducts. Different classes of pesticides can be used to control pests in sugarcane crops, leading to sugar contamination. This study aimed to propose an analytical method based on low density liquid-phase microextraction (LD-LPME) for the extraction and preconcentration of 21 multiresidue pesticides, in a single step, on sugarcane sugar samples, followed by GC–MS analysis. The use of a low volume extracting solvent (150 μL) and a small sample size (0.36 g) were prioritized. The proposed method was successfully validated, attesting its linearity (R 2 : 0.9919–1.0000), sensitivity (LOD: 0.24–4.52 mg kg −1 ), precision (RSD: 3.0–20%) and accuracy (% recovery: 60–118%). The presence of pesticide residues was identified in the industrialized samples of sugar from sugarcane (<2.32 to 89.2 mg kg −1 ), including organochlorines and organophosphates. α-HCH showed the highest analytical frequency (<2.32 to 22.2 mg kg −1 ). The highest concentrations of pesticide residues were obtained for less processed sugars (demerara sugar: up to 89.2 mg kg −1 , for γ-HCH; crystal sugar: up to 69.3 mg kg −1 , for fenitrothion; brown sugar: up to 22.2 mg kg −1 , for α-HCH). The method showed greater potential for environmental sustainability (AGREEprep score = 0.48) when compared with other sample treatment procedures.