Development of an HPLC method for determination of pentachloronitrobenzene, hexachlorobenzene and their possible metabolites

The extraction of PCNB and HCB from soil and minimal salt medium was carried out with ethyl acetate and hexane respectively with good recoveries (98% for PCNB and 97% for HCB). The validation of the proposed extraction and HPLC method was done by analysis of PCNB and HCB biodegradation and their metabolites identification from anaerobic enriched soil samples.A rapid, sensitive and simple HPLC based analytical method was developed for the analysis of PCNB, HCB and their possible intermediates.Farmers use pesticide (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, molluscicides, rodenticides, acaricides and nematicides) for the protection of crop [1]. Chlorinated aromatic compounds (CACs) have been widely used in industrial, agricultural and domestic products such as pesticides, soil fumigants, disinfectants, toilet deodorants, solvents, and also used as precursors for the production of dyes [2,3].As a result of worldwide extensive use, CACs are widespread and released as environmental pollutants in coastal marine sediments, freshwater lake sediments, sewage sludge, waste water, groundwater, rivers and estuaries, and soils [4-6]. Due to their persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation potential, CACs are subject to regulation in most of the developed countries [7]. The main environmental impact of pesticide is caused by their mobilization and transport from agriculture fields to pollute soils, sediment, water and also percolating through the soil and reaching the ground water [8-11].Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) is an important group of organochlorine fungicide which has been widely used either for seed dressing or for soil treatment to control a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi in crops [12,13]. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) is also used as a fungicide and is a side product of industrial emission related to the manufacture of chlorinated solvents and pesticides [14-16]. Both organochlorine fungicide (PCNB and HCB) are widespread and found in every environmental compartment i.e. s