Glyphosate, a Polar Pest Put to Test

No other pesticide has courted more media attention and controversy in recent months than glyphosate, with governments and national agencies debating its use and health effects. The following links just show some of the media attention this organophosphorus compound has received:

• EU Set to Consider a Temporary Extension of Glyphosate License over Cancer Rows
• Glyphosate Unlikely to Pose a Risk to Humans, UN/WHO Study Says
• WHO Clarifies Glyphosate Risks
• Glyphosate ‘Revolution’ Growing — Consumers Want Answers

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However irrespective of whether it poses a risk or not the analysis of glyphosate and other polar compounds in food and beverage products has been a challenge. Attaining the required sensitivity, dealing with complex matrices and sample prep can put a serious strain and demand on your laboratory. A common practice for the analysis of glyphosate and the other associated polar compounds such as AMPA, Glufosinate, and MMPA is to derivatize the samples during the preparation.

The derivatization method may be effective however there is a serious efficiency problem associated with it, the time it takes the analysts to prep and extract the sample. Derivatization can be a time-consuming procedure and can, therefore, affect a lab’s productivity, turnaround, and margins.

In a recent presentation, on the QTRAP® 6500+ System, we conducted an in-depth evaluation into the Quantitation of Underivatized Glyphosate and Other Polar Pesticides. This comprehensive study details the various techniques and LC conditions that we tested on a variety of matrices.  In this study, we show how the SelexION® reduces interferences and can meet your required levels of sensitivity.