A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of dithianon in commercial formulations and its residues in foodstuffs

A new, simple, and rapid spectrophotometric method for the microdetermination of dithianon, on the basis of its reaction with a dithiocarbamate, is described. The red color, which develops instantaneously when mixing the fungicide with the reagent in acetonitrile, is stable for at least 1 h and is measured at 520 nm. Beer's law is applicable up to 12 micrograms/mL dithianon concentration. The method has been successfully adapted to the analysis of the fungicide in commercial formulations and its residues on grains and apple (fruit and leaves). A photometric titration method for formulation analysis of the fungicide has also been developed.