We investigate the effect of UHPLC mobile phases and operational parameters of a Orbitrap MS system used in the analysis of quaternary ammonium herbicides paraquat (PQ) and diquat (DQ). This includes separation optimization on a Thermo Scientific Acclaim Trinity Q1 column which was specifically designed for this application. Based on results obtained from this study, a method was developed for the unambiguous identification of PQ and DQ in environmental water samples with the ability to deliver analytical data with superior SNR, high precision and accuracy.

Paraquat and diquat are widely used as agriculture herbicides to control crop and aquatic weeds. They ontaminat of drinking and environmental waters and are considered a risk factor for liver, heart, lung, and kidney illnesses. We review pertinent EPA methods for analysis that meet Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of 20 µg/L for diquat in drinking water and EU general rules for pesticides and herbicides in drinking water. We describe more recent work shows an improved method using a new mixed-mode column specifically designed to provide good peak shapes for diquat and paraquat.

The Thermo Scientific Acclaim Trinity Q1 is specifically designed to produce superior chromatography for paraquat and diquat, and features short retention times, high capacity, a broad linear range, and excellent resolution.

The Thermo Scientific HPLC system is applied for the analysis of diquat and paraquat herbicides. The separation is performed on a Thermo Scientific Acclaim Trinity Q1 (3.0 mm ID) HPLC column, with UV detection at 290 nm.

The Thermo Scientific HPLC system is applied for the analysis of diquat and paraquat herbicides. The separation is performed on a Thermo Scientific Acclaim Trinity Q1 (2.1 mm ID) HPLC column, with UV detection at 290 nm.