Liquid chromatography and postcolumn indirect detection of glyphosate

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine] and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) were separated and detected by a postcolumn indirect detection strategy. Separation can be done on a cation-exchange column, where glyphosate elutes before AMPA, or on an anion-exchange column, where the elution order is reversed. Detection was achieved by using a fluorescent Al(3+)-morin postcolumn reagent. When the postcolumn reagent combines with the column effluent in a mixing tee, the fluorescence decreases in the presence of both analytes. Variables affecting the postcolumn indirect fluorescence detection were established and optimized; the major factors were postcolumn pH and volume and temperature of the postcolumn reaction coil. Detection limits, defined as three times the background noise, for glyphosate and AMPA separated on an anion-exchange column were 14 and 40 ng, respectively.