Quantification of the organophosphorus pesticide profenofos in soils by Thin Layer Chromatography using image processing in Image J software

Abstract

Pesticide residuals in agricultural soils are a global problem that puts non-target organisms, including humans, at risk. The involvement of universities in agricultural activities can be beneficial for monitoring the contamination or residuality of pesticides used on farmland. Therefore, in the present investigation, a method was developed for the quantification of profenofos (PFF) by Thin Layer Chromatography using a mobile phase chloroform: acetone (60:40) obtaining a retention factor (Rf) of 0.35. Using image processing with Image J software resulted in a linear method with an R2 completion coefficient of 0.9966 which is greater than 0.995, precise with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.78 % which is less than 2.7 %, accurate with a recovery percentage of 101.04 % which is in the range of 90 to 110 % with limits of detection and quantification of 0.0639 μg and 0.1522 μg respectively. PFF was quantified in onion and garlic agricultural soils, resulting in concentrations of 0.252 and 0.264 mg/kg, respectively. In conclusion, the present methodology could be adapted to determine other pesticides or be applied in the field for monitoring PFF in agricultural soils by universities or governmental entities, which could lead to more responsible agriculture.