Photochemical-spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of benzoylurea insecticides: applications in river water samples and in technical formulations

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was used to obtain fluorescent photoproducts from four non-fluorescent benzoylurea (BU) insecticides (flufenoxuron (FLF), lufenuron (LUF), hexaflumuron (HF) and triflumuron (TRF)). The effect of solvent, pH (in aqueous solutions), organic solvent percentage and UV irradiation time on the excitation and emission wavelengths and fluorescence intensity were investigated. The largest fluorescence signals and the shortest UV irradiation time were obtained in methanol, ethanol and 2-propanol. Linear calibration graphs were established in the interval between 0.025 and 1.000 μg ml−1 from FLF and TRF and between 0.050 and 1.000 μg ml−1 from LUF and HF with regression coefficients larger than 0.99. A method based on the use of the first-derivative of the spectra of photoproducts was applied to the determination of BU insecticides in river water samples and in technical formulations. The mean recoveries ranged from 95.0% to 110.0% in river water samples and from 92.0% to 101.0% in technical formulations, according to the compound. A preconcentration step, using LLE, allowed to reach the concentration levels established by the EU directive for pesticides in drinking water.