Pesticide Formulation

As Metaldehyde is a non-UV absorbing compound, other detection methods needed to be investigated besides conventional UV-HPLC. LC-MS was found to be a well-suited analysis by searching for the EIC corresponding to the [M+H]+ ion. Good retention and peak shape were observed for this analyte using the Cogent Bidentate C18 2.o™ Column.

Peak:
 Metaldehyde 177.1121 m/z [M + H]+

Method Conditions
Column: Cogent Bidentate C18 2.o™, 2.2μm, 120Å
Catalog No.: 40218-05P-2
Dimensions: 2.1 x 50 mm
Mobile Phase:
A: DI Water / 0.1% Formic Acid
B: Acetonitrile / 0.1% Formic Acid

Time (minutes) %B
0 10
3 100
6 100
7 10

Post Time: 3 minutes
Injection vol.: 1μL
Flow rate: 0.4mL / minute
Detection: ESI – POS – Agilent 6210 MSD TOF Mass Spectrometer
Sample: Slug pellets (containing 3.25% Metaldehyde) were ground and 800mg was transferred to a 25mL volumetric flask. A portion of 50 / 50 Solvent A / Solvent B diluent was added and the flask was sonicated for 10 minutes. Then it was diluted to mark, mixed thoroughly, and filtered with a 0.45um Nylon Syringe Filter (MicroSolv Tech Corp.).

Note: Metaldehyde is a cyclic tetramer of Acetaldehyde. Slug pellets contain wheat as bait with a small amount of Metaldehyde. These pellets are sold widely under a variety of trade names, such as Ariotox®, Cekumeta®, Deadline®, and others.

Attachment

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