Determination of norflurazon concentration in wheat leaves using a modified QuEChERS method

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Plant Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Norflurazon is a widely used herbicide.
• Accurate quantification of norflurazon in plant tissues is crucial for understanding its efficacy and environmental fate.
• Existing methods may not be optimal for direct leaf analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an easy-to-use analytical method for measuring norflurazon accumulation in plant leaves.
• To adapt the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method for herbicide detection in plant matrices.
• To propose a modification using HPLC-UV detection for enhanced usability.

Main Methods:

• Adaptation of the QuEChERS sample preparation technique.
• Modification of the method for direct analysis of norflurazon in leaf samples.
• Utilisation of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) detection.

Main Results:

• The adapted QuEChERS method demonstrated reproducible retention times (3.11±0.04 min).
• High precision was achieved, with relative standard deviation (RSD) below 8.0%.
• The method exhibited good linearity (R=0.99874) and a Limit of Quantification (LOQ) of 315 ng∙mL⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• A validated, user-friendly method for norflurazon quantification in leaves was successfully developed.
• The modified QuEChERS-HPLC-UV method offers a practical alternative for herbicide analysis in plant tissues.
• This method facilitates accurate assessment of norflurazon uptake and accumulation in plants.