Occurrence of dicarboximidic fungicides and their metabolites’ residues in commercial compost

- In this work we analysed samples of different commercial composts to verify the presence of metabolites of dicarboximidic fungicides (Iprodione, Procymidone, Vinclozolin and Chlozolinate) widely used in agriculture as botritycides. The commercial compost extracts, obtained by sonication with acetonitrile, were analysed by HPLC-DAD-MS. The detection limits (DL) of the analytical method were appraised for all considered compounds and for both the detectors. The analysis confirmed the presence of fungicide residues (i.e. Iprodione, 48 mg/kg) in three samples of commercial compost and traces of some corresponding metabolites (i.e. Metabolite I of Procymidone, 20 mg/kg) for most examined matrices. These results underline a possible presence of these fungicides and corresponding metabolites in soil, after the addition of compost.