Analysis of imazaquin in soybeans by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography

An analytical method for the determination imazaquin residues in soybeans was developed. The developed liquid/liquid partition and strong anion exchange solid-phase extraction procedures provide the effective cleanup, removing the greatest number of sample matrix interferences. By optimizing mobile-phase pH water/acetonitrile conditions with phosphoric acid, using a C-18 reverse-phase chromatographic column and employing ultraviolet detection, excellent peak resolution was achieved. The combined cleanup and chromatographic method steps reported herein were sensitive and reliable for determining the imazaquin residues in soybean samples. This method is characterized by recovery >88.4%, precision <6.7% CV, and sensitivity of 0.005 ppm, in agreement with directives for method validation in residue analysis. Imazaquin residues in soybeans were further confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of imazaquin residues in soybean samples grown in an experimental field after treatments of imazaquin formulation.