Characterization of Pyroligneous Acid used in Agriculture by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

In this study, two kinds of samples of pyrolysis liquid were analyzed, one produced at laboratory and other acquired from a company that supplies agricultural inputs. The analyses were carried out by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The profiles corresponding to the two samples are discussed. Syringol, 1,2,3-trimethoxybenzene, 2-metoxy-4-methylphenol, o-guaiacol and 5-tert-butylpyrogalol were the most abundant substances in the acid extract (pyroligneous acid + soluble tar). The composition of the pyrolysis liquids was mainly characterized for methoxyphenols (guaiacol, syringol and their derivatives), phenols, carboxylic acids (C5-C17) and in a smaller amount for alcohol (C5-C9), ketones (C7-C8) and aldehydes (C5-C7). The results for the foliar fertilizer showed the presence of soluble tar and pyroligneous acid.