TITLE:
Validation of a SPME-GC Method for Azoxystrobin and Pyraclostrobin in Blueberries, and Their Degradation Kinetics
AUTHORS:
Martín S. Munitz, Silvia L. Resnik, María I. T. Montti, Silvia Visciglio
KEYWORDS:
Blueberries, Azoxystrobin, Pyraclostrobin, Degradation Kinetics, SPME/GC
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.5 No.11,
September
23,
2014
ABSTRACT: Analytical method for the residues of strobilurins azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin in blueberries was developed. Fungicide residues were determined by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) cou-pled to gas chromatography with micro-electron capture detector. The effect of pH values and fiber coatings were studied. The SPME fiber coating selected was 100 μm PDMS. The method is selective with adequate precision and high accuracy and sensitivity. Recoveries ranged within the 100% - 106% range for azoxystrobin, and 96% - 106% range for pyraclostrobin; and detection and quantification limits were 2.0 and 6.0 μg/kg for azoxystrobin, and 26.0 and 86.0 μg/kg for py-raclostrobin, respectively. Statistical parameters indicated the occurrence of matrix effect; con-sequently calibration was performed on spiked samples. Degradation of azoxystrobin and pyra-clostrobin was studied in blueberry fields located in Concordia, Argentina, with fruits from Emerald and Jewel varieties. The degradation of these fungicides in both blueberry varieties studied followed a first order rate kinetics, and the half-life for azoxystrobin was 11.6 and 17.8 days for Emerald and Jewel cultivars; and for pyraclostrobin was 5.5 and 8.0 days, respectively.