Evaluation of systemic properties of penflufen in wheat seedling using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method

The transportation and the contents of penflufen accumulated in roots, stems and leaves of wheat seedling were determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method after it was applied to roots or leaves. A QuEChERS method was used for the extraction and clean-up of wheat seedling samples. Chromatographic analysis was performed on an Endeavorsil C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.8 μm) using gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile as mobile phase. Elutes were ionized through positive ion ionization (ESI+) mode. Qualitative and quantitative was conducted by multi reaction ion monitoring (MRM). The external standard method of matrix matching standard solution was used. The good linear relationship was obtained in the range of 0.5-100 μg/L and the equation was y = 12 808.4x + 308.518 (r = 0.999 8). The recovery of penflufen in wheat seedling ranged from 92% to 126%. The relative standard deviation was between 0.50% to 9.1%. The minimum detection limit was 0.037 μg/kg(S/N = 3) and the minimum fortified level was 0.005 mg/kg. The study indicated that penflufen had rapid intake and transportation with root application. With the increase of the treatment concentration, the accumulation of penflufen in different plant parts increased. With the extension of treatment time, the accumulation of penflufen in different parts showed rapid absorption and then slowly balanced. When wheat root was treated by 0.01 mg/L penflufen, its content in root, stem and leaf were 10.4, 0.6 and 0.3 μg/kg, respectively 2 h after treatment. In addition, penflufen was rapidly absorbed by leaves and then transported to other leaves and accumulated at stems and roots with leaves application. With the extension of the treatment time, the pesticide in the leaves decreased rapidly and eventually reached equilibrium, and other plant parts accumulated rapidly and reached equilibrium. When the 2nd leaf of wheat was treated by 20 μL penflufen aqueous solution its contents in root, stem, 3rd leaf and 1st leaf were 109.0, 148.0, 904.0 and 112.6 μg/kg, respectively.