A simple method for the determination of malachite green and leucomalachite green residues in fish by a modified QuEChERS extraction and LC/MS/MS.

A simple method using LC/MS/MS was developed and validated to determine residues of malachite green (MG) and leucomalachite green (LMG) in fish fillet. A modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) technique was used to perform the sample preparation. The optimal extraction and cleanup conditions were established using an experimental design. The validation parameters obtained to determine both MG and LMG complied with the requirements established by regulatory agencies for the presence of such substances in fish, which establish that the method must attain, at least, a minimum required performance limit of 2 ng/g. The accuracy values ranged between 95 and 107%, and the precision values were lower than 11.2%. The method was used in the analysis of tilapia samples (n = 20) commercialized in Campinas, SP, Brazil. None of the samples presented detectable levels of MG or LMG residues.