GC/MSD detection of the metabolic residues of metolachlor in tomato fruit

Summary A gas chromatograph/mass selective detector method is presented for the analysis of the major metabolic residues of metolachlor by acid hydrolysis of tomato fruit. The two major hydrolysis products, CGA-37913 (2-[2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl]amino-1-propanol) and derivatised CGA-49751 (4-[2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl]-2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-morpholinone) were monitored in the selective ion mode atm/z 162 andm/z 160, respectively. Recoveries from 87 to 96% were obtained for tomato fortified at 50 to 200g kg^–1. The proposed method of analysis will allow for a detection limit of 11 g kg^–1 for CGA-37913 and 12 g kg^–1 for the derivatised CGA-49751.