Comparison of extraction techniques for quantitative analysis of pendimethalin from soil and rice grain

ABSTRACT

The paper exploits the development, optimization, and comparison of fast, efficient, quantitative analytical extraction techniques such as ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) for proficient extraction of pendimethalin from soil and rice samples. Residues of pendimethalin were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Impact of several experimental parameters of UAE and MSPD techniques on extraction of pendimethalin from soil and rice samples was also evaluated. Under the optimized conditions, the mean percent recoveries obtained from both methods were in the range of 80.3–101.3 and 81.7–103.1, respectively, with relative standard deviation <10. Linearity was in the range of 0.003–5.0 µg mL⁻¹ with limit of detection and limit of quantification as 0.001 and 0.003 µg g⁻¹, respectively. MSPD method was found superior in terms of low solvent consumption, small sample size, and reduced matrix coextracts due to simultaneous extraction and cleanup steps. Both extraction methodologies were successfully applied in monitoring routine soil and rice samples, in which pendimethalin residues (0.003–0.007 µg g⁻¹) were detected in few rice samples while residues in soil samples were below the quantification limit.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• HPLC
• pendimethalin
• rice
• soil
• ultrasonic-assisted extraction

Acknowledgment

The authors are thankful to The Head Department of Agronomy, PAU, Ludhiana, for providing the necessary research facilities.