Quechers

QuEChERS – a Simplified Method of Sample Preparation for Pesticide Analysis
In 2003, M Anastassisdes developed a simple way to prepare food samples for pesticide
analysis. It’s called QuEChERS (pronounced as “Catchers”), an acronym for Quick, Easy,
Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe. With QuEChERS, you could prepare your samples in multi-class,
multi-residue pesticide analysis while saving time and money.

How it works

QuEChERS extraction method is designed for multi-residue pesticide analysis of fruits and
vegetables with high water content (80%-95%). Some compounds will interfere the detection
of target pesticide, such as chlorophyll, fatty acid, pigment, which could be removed by
QuEChERS.

Some QuECHERS

Some QuEChERS methods add buffers during the extraction step. Two most common
methods are the European Committee for Standardization (EN 15662) method which
applies citrate buffer for extraction and the Association of Analytical Communities (AOAC
2007.01) method using acetic acid buffer.

QuEChERS stands for

Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged Safe

and is the acronym for a highly beneficial analytical approach that vastly simplifies the analysis of multiple pesticide residues in fruit, vegetables, cereals and processed products thereof.