Sample handling and analysis of allelochemical compounds in plants

An overview is presented of current methodologies for the determination of allelochemical compounds, and especially the chemical family of benzoxazino nes. These compounds are relevant since they are potential substitutes for pesticides in crop protection. Analysis of allelochemicals is usually carri ed out by LC, LC-MS, LC-MS-MS, CE, GCMS or GC-MS-MS. The advantages and dis advantages of the various chromatographic techniques will be discussed. Sin ce allelochemicals are generally found in plants, foliage and roots, sample preparation strategies are reviewed. This is a critical step since some of these compounds can be hydrolysed during sample preparation and consequent ly relevant environmental information can be lost. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.