Application of steam distillation on the analysis of pesticide residue in soil, water and crops was studied using the nitrogen distillation apparatus. Most pesticides which were extracted by organic solvents could be analyzed by the steam distillation...
Application of steam distillation on the analysis of pesticide residue in soil, water and crops was studied using the nitrogen distillation apparatus. Most pesticides which were extracted by organic solvents could be analyzed by the steam distillation method. For instance, distillations of PCNB, γ-BHC, α-or β-endosulfan, IBP, diazinon, fenthion, fenitrothion, alachlor, butachlor, pretilachlor, metolachlor, pendimethalin, benthiocarb and molinate were possible, but not simazine, atrazine and nitrofen. The optimum volume of distillate for a sufficient extraction of pesticide varied according to kind of pesticide. In general, the volume needed was little for carbamate, but much more for organochlorine. When the definite amount of distillate was obtained and then the condenser was washed by acetone, the optimum volume of distillate was less. Using the steam distillation method, the amount of organic solvent needed for one extraction of pesticide from soil, water and vegetable was less than the conventional solvent extraction method, and the analytical procedure became simpler. The process of concentration and clean up was mostly unnecessary, although a ghost peak was apparent in the gas chromatogram according to the kind of materials distilled.