Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that pesticide residues in tea exceeding the maximum residue limits (MRL) can cause harmful effects on the human body. There are many limitations in the existing analytical methods for pesticide residues in tea, so new analytical methods need to be developed. We developed a limit test method that combines thin-layer chromatography with Raman imaging microscopy (TLC-RIM). Seven residual pesticide components in tea (Avermectin, Methomyl, Carbendazim, Imidacloprid, Chlorothalonil, Azoxystrobin, and Acetamiprid) could be preliminarily separated by TLC and then irradiated by a 532 nm laser. Raman spectra of seven pesticides obtained by Raman imaging microscopy could be used to test whether the pesticide residues in tea exceed the MRL. The limits of detection of the seven pesticides were 0.04, 0.10, 0.24, 0.20, 0.12, 0.12, and 1.0 mg/mL, respectively. The simulated positive test showed that the matrix in tea did not interfere with the test of the seven pesticides. When the pesticides were tested within 8 h, the RSD of the peak heights of the seven pesticides were 1.2%~9.6%; the test results of three batches of tea showed that the imidacloprid in one batch of tea exceeded its MRL, and the results were consistent with that by UPLC-MS/MS. The TLC-RIM is fast, sensitive, stable, specific, and reliable.