Comparison of flame ionization and electron capture detectors for the gas chromatographic evaluation of herbicide residues

Abstract

This is a brief report on a comparison of the performance of flame ionization and electron capture detectors in the gas chromatographic analysis of a chlorinated herbicide in raw sugar cane juice. This work was originally undertaken to determine the level of any residue in sugar cane treated with Fenac, an isomeric mixture of polychlorinated phenylacetic acid. The active ingredient, which comprises almost half of the mixture, is 2,3,6-tri-chlorophenylacetic acid. It was principally to the determination of this isomer that we directed our efforts, while still keeping an eye on the rest of the mixture. Fig. 1 shows a GC trace of Fenac with isomers labeled.