Analysis of fenitrothion and metabolites in stored wheat

A simple and rapid method for the analysis of fenitrothion and its metabolites, fenitrooxon, S-methyl fenitrothion, demethyl fenitrothion, demethyl S-methyl fenitrothion, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol, and dimethyl phosphorothioic acid in stored wheat has been developed. Simultaneous analysis of the extract was conducted using FPD-GLC after derivatization with diazoethane except for 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol which was analyzed directly by EC-GLC. Recoveries of all compounds from wheat fortified at the levels from 0.1 to 5.0 ppm were greater than 90%. The developed method was used to quantitatively determine major metabolites found in grain treated with fenitrothion and stored at 20 degrees C for 12 months. Demethyl fenitrothion, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol, and dimethyl phosphorothioic acid were the major breakdown products of fenitrothion found in stored wheat. Confirmation of these metabolites was carried out by chemical derivatization plus FPD-GLC and by TLC.