High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatographic (HPTLC) Assessment of the Photodegradation of Bensulfuron-Methyl on Silica Gel

A quantitative instrumental high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has been developed for assessment of the photodegradation of bensulfuron-methyl on silica gel. The method uses automated band application on to silica gel plates with fluorescent indicator, direct development after irradiation, and scanning densitometry of fluorescence-quenched zones of samples and standards. The accuracy of the analyses was confirmed by performing recovery studies with preanalyzed samples and a blank sample fortified with the analytes. Precision was determined by analyzing samples in replicate; loaded amounts of 500–2000 ng per spot were suggested for assessing the photodegradation of the pesticides. The simplicity of sample preparation and the chromatographic techniques, high sample throughput, high reproducibility, and the strong possibility of separating the photoproducts seem to make the test on HPTLC plates highly suitable for estimation of the photodegradability of pesticides in the adsorbed state.