Glyphosate, the active ingredient in most spray weed killers, is the most popular non-specific herbicide used by farmers in the United States. For example according to the Environmental Protection Agency 185 pounds of glyphosate was purchased in 2007 and this number had continued to rise. This herbicide is sold under brand names such as Rodeo, AquaNeat, and RoundUp, Although manufacturers claim that the isopropylamine salt of glyphosate rapidly dissociates to glyphosate and then absorbs strongly to soil, it has also been shown to be toxic to aquatic life. It is proposed that the glyphosate is then degraded by soil microbes to aminomethyl phosphonic acid, which is further broken down to carbon dioxide. In any case, a method of detection for this herbicide needs to be developed to help monitor the presence and progression of this material in aquatic environments. The purpose of our research is to develop a technique to detect glyphosate and its intermediates directly from biological matrices such as leaves, grass and bark using Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry (LDIMS). Previous techniques used for glyphosate have included Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), but development of this analysis has been limited by the low volatility of glyphosate. Our LDI-MS method will overcome the hindrances previously associated with glyphosate ionization and will permit for quick analysis of herbicidal components directly from environmental matrices.

Detection of herbicidal glyphosate from environmental matrices using laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS)

247th National Meeting (2014)

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