Determination of thiabendazole from environmental matrices by HPLC with fluorescence detection

Abstract

Thiabendazole 2-(4-thiazolyl)-1H-benzimidazole (TBZ), known as E233, is a pesticide of the benzimidazole class with an imidazole ring, used as a systemic fungicide in agriculture, and also as a broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent for various animal species. Thiabendazole is also widely used in the treatment of fruits and vegetables, before and after harvesting to control a variety of diseases, such as mold, rot and stains caused by various fungi. TBZ is applied by fruits dipping, by spraying or as an ingredient in the wax applied to the peel of fruits and vegetables to ensure their freshness. Because of these practices, the occurrence of thiabendazole has been reported in surface waters and sediments, in fruits peels and in effluents from the agriculture and food industry.