Related Experiment Videos
Rapid determination of glyphosate in postmortem specimens using 31P NMR
S J Dickson1, R H Meinhold, I D Beer
1Chemistry Division, DSIR, Petone, New Zealand.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|September 1, 1988
Summary
Quantifying glyphosate in postmortem samples is now possible using phosphorus-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (31P NMR). This method accurately detects glyphosate in blood, liver, and urine, aiding toxicological investigations.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Developing sensitive analytical methods for quantifying glyphosate, a widely used herbicide, is crucial for forensic and toxicological studies.
- Postmortem sample analysis presents unique challenges due to sample degradation and limited availability.
Observation:
- Phosphorus-31 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (31P NMR) spectroscopy was employed to detect and quantify glyphosate.
- Minimal sample pretreatment was required, involving D2O for NMR lock and enzymic digestion for liver samples.
- Glyphosate was identified by its characteristic 31P chemical shift and proton spin coupling, confirmed by a downfield shift upon NH4OH addition.
Findings:
- The 31P NMR method successfully quantified glyphosate in postmortem blood, liver, and urine specimens from two suicide victims.
- Quantitation was achieved through external standardization or specimen spiking.
- Detection limits as low as 1 mg/mL were reached in under a minute.
Implications:
- This 31P NMR technique offers a rapid and reliable method for glyphosate quantification in forensic toxicology.
- The method's efficiency and minimal sample preparation requirements make it suitable for routine postmortem analysis.
- Accurate glyphosate detection can aid in determining cause of death and understanding herbicide toxicity in human cases.