Determination of metaldehyde in different commercial pesticide formulations using green analytical procedure and gas chromatography flame ionization detection

Abstract

Metaldehyde is a molluscicide allowed for use in the control of slugs and snails in agriculture and horticulture in many countries. A simple, fast, and precise gas chromatography method was developed and single-laboratory validated for determination of metaldehyde in different formulations of plant protection products. The proposed method involves extraction of active substance from samples by sonication with acetone and analysis using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The suggested analytical procedure is accurate, precise, and repeatable. Moreover, it is environmentally friendly and useful for laboratories as it uses a no time- and no solvent-consuming reference chromatography technique for quality control of commercially available pesticide formulations. Advantages of the proposed method are consistent with the ideas of sustainable development, which are in accordance with the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry. Analysis of real samples of commercial pesticide formulations confirmed that the proposed method is fit for its purpose.