GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR DETERMINING STRYCHNINE RESIDUES IN ALFALFA

A GLC procedure was described for determining strychnine [rodenticide] in alfalfa with a N-P detector. Alfalfa samples containing strychnine residues were chopped and extracted in a blender using ethyl acetate, sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate; the organic extract was extracted with 0.1 N H2SO4 solution, made basic and subsequently extracted with methylene chloride. Following concentration, the strychnine residues were quantitated by peak height, using an external standard. Recoveries for 0.05-ppm spikes were 88 .+-. 11%.