On-Line Preconcentration and Analysis of Metribuzin Residues in Corn Fields by Use of a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer

A molecularly imprinted polymer as a selective solid-phase extraction adsorbent for efficient preconcentration and analysis of metribuzin residues in corn fields has been synthesised and evaluated. Results showed that molecular imprinting of the polymer was highly effective and the polymer had high affinity and selectivity for metribuzin in water-containing systems. A monolithic column containing molecularly imprinted polymer was prepared and used for on-line preconcentration, separation, and detection of metribuzin residues in soil sampled during investigation of the degradation of the herbicide metribuzin in corn fields. The detection limit of the method was 8.3 x 10(-4) mg kg(-1), recovery was between 94.9% and 103%, and RSD in analysis of soil samples was less than 3.2%.