1991 Volume 32 Issue 2 Pages 98-103
An analytical method for metolachlor in vegetables, potatoes and grains was developed by using a gas chromatograph with an electron capture detector (ECD-GC). Metolachlor was extracted from the sample with acetone, and purified by acetonitrile-hexane partition and a coagulating method after evaporation of the acetone. The extract was cleaned up by bi-layer (upper; silica gel, lower; 5% water-impregnated Florisil) column chromatography, and on a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge. The purified extract was measured by means of ECD-GC. Two samples (radish and sweet potato) could be cleaned up by bi-layer column chromatography alone.
The recoveries of metolachlor from agricultural products spiked at the level of 0.1ppm were 87.0-94.8%. The detection limit of metolachlor was 0.005ppm in each sample. Metolachlor was not detected in vegetables, potatoes or grains in this study (total 30 samples).
