Simultaneous determination of three sulfonylureas herbicides froms environmental samples by HPLC-DAD

Abstract

Sulfonylurea herbicides (SUHs) are one of the largest classes of herbicides in the world used for the control of many grasses and broad-leafed species in all agronomic crops and vegetables. Sulfonylurea herbicides are the second most common class of herbicides after glyphosates used in over 80 crops in the form of 30 commercial products. These herbicides, which have low toxicity to mammals, are highly toxic to plants, especially for crops, aquatic plants and microorganisms, affecting the entire food chain. SUHs are weak acids with pKa from 3 to 5, and in water they exist in mainly in the ionised form (anionic). Intense use of herbicides has led to contamination of various types of water, soil, sediment and agricultural crops (wheat, corn, fruits, vegetables). Thus, the European Commission has set maximum limits for each pesticide class in water intended for human consumption (0.1 µg/L).