Determination of malachite green and its leuco form in water

Liquid chromatographic (LC) analysis can detect malachite green residues in water at less than 10µg/L. Water samples were concentrated on disposable diol columns, eluted with 0.05M p-toluenesulfonic acid in methanol, and determined by reversed- phase LC. When combined with a lead oxide postcolumn reactor, the LC method can simultaneously determine both leuco and chromatic forms of malachite green. Recoveries averaged 95.4% for the chromatic form and 57.3% for the leuco form of malachite green oxalate and leuco malachite green in spiked pond water samples. Recoveries of the carbinol form of malachite green (an equilibrium product of the dye in water) from spiked tap water samples averaged 98.6%. Recoveries of leuco malachite green were low and pH-dependent.