Determination and identification of metabolites of the fungicides Iprodione and Procymidone in compost

The main metabolites formed from Iprodione and Procymidone during the compo sting process have been isolated and identified by HPLC-DAD-MSD. After addi tion of the fungicides to the composting pile, we monitored the reaction of the two analytes and the formation of their degradation products for eight months. We verified the nature of the metabolites by comparison with those hypothesised in the literature and by comparison with the behaviour of an abiotic process in aqueous acetonitrile pH 6 and at 35 degrees C. After tak ing into account the different kinetic behaviours of the fungicides on degr adation in compost and hydro-organic solution, breakdown pathways are propo sed for biodegradation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.