A simple derivatization RP-HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of zineb and hexaconazole in pesticide formulation using a PDA detector.

A simple derivatization reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for the simultaneous analysis (separation and quantification) of zineb and hexaconazole has been optimized and validated. The method was carried out on an Agilent Eclipse plus C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm; 5 μm), with a mobile phase comprising acetonitrile + methanol (80 + 20 v/v): water (0.1% v/v trifluoroacetic acid) (60 : 40 v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL minute, and the quantification was achieved at 272 nm and 205 nm. The retention times of zineb and hexaconazole were found to be 6.4 min and 7.6 min, respectively. The performance of the method was validated according to the SANCO, CIPAC and ICH guidelines for specificity, selectivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection, limit of quantification and robustness. The developed method was successfully applied for the estimation of zineb and hexaconazole in a pesticide dosage form.