Analysis of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T in lingonberries, wild mushrooms, birch and aspen foliage.

A method was developed for residue analysis of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T in lingonberries, wild mushrooms, birch and aspen foliage. The method involves the extraction of the residues with diethyl ether followed by alkali hydrolysis, purification by column chromatography, methylation of the free acids and their determination by gas chromatography. The limit of detection is 0.05 ppm for 2,4-D and 0.02 ppm for 2,4,5-T for a 20 g sample with a recovery of 75% +/- 11%. Results of some analyses are also reported.