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Analytical methods for pesticides, plant growth regulators and food additives
134
BOOK REVIEWS
Under the heading of "Foodstuffs as extraction media" consideration is given both to the migration of heavy metals, particularly lead, into foods and to the migration of technical mineral oil from cloth sacks and bags. Turning now to herbicides, a most useful compilation in tabular form has been made of the available data on the physical and chemical properties and of the acute oral LDs0 values for every organic herbicide known to the authors at the time of writing. Since the words "biological properties" appear in the title of this chapter, it is a pity that the net was not cast wider to embrace details of the acute and long-term effects. But one senses that these aspects will not be neglected and will soon make their presence felt. To those interested in tracking down and estimating the rnetabolites of DDT in the animal body or their residues in crops, the proven conversion of DDT to DDD (TDE) under gas chromatographic conditions may come as a surprise. Breakdown to other products, namely DDE and the dehydrohalogenated product of DDD called DDDE was also demonstrated. These results emphasize the importance of running proper controls in analytical work and also provide the setting for a discussion on the mechanism underlying the breakdown of DDT to its very many metabolites. In view of the present controversy surrounding the concept of "zero" tolerances for pesticide residues, clarification of terms and calculations involved in ascertaining the analytical limits of detectability for residues is most timely. But one can pre~lict with safety that this aspect will be a long drawn out saga. Finally, to mark the occasion of this decadal issue there are cumulative subject and author indexes covering the first 10 volumes in this series, a feature to be warmly lauded.
Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators and Food Additives. Vol. 2. Edited by G. Zweig. Academic Press, New York, 1963. pp. xiv÷637. 171s. 6d. Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators and Food Additives. Vol. 22. Edited by G. Zweig. Academic Press, New York, 1964. pp. xvii+619. 164s. Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators and Food Additives. Vol. 122. Edited by G. Zweig. Academic Press, New York, 1964. pp. xiiq-237. 86s. Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators and Food Additives. Vol. IV. Edited by G. Zweig. Academic Press, New York, 1964. pp. xiii+269. 86s. Edited by Gunter Zweig of the Agricultural Toxicology and Research Laboratory, California, this 4-volume treatise has been designed to satisfy the need for a convenient, single source of information on analytical techniques for the determination of pesticides, plant growth regulators and food additives, information on which has until now been scattered throughout the literature. The first part of Volume I constitutes a general consideration of the principles involved in formulation, residue and food additive analyses, as well as a discussion of extraction and clean-up procedures and a broad outline of toxicological testing methods. This is followed by detailed accounts of the various methods of analyses, including spectrophotometry, gas and paper chromatography and total halide and neutron activation. 2sotopic, enzymatic (cholinesterase) and bioassay techniques receive comprehensive treatment. The concluding chapters are concerned with the selection of suitable screening methods, the statistical evaluation of results, and the application of these various methods to the food industry in
BOOK REVIEWS
Under the heading of "Foodstuffs as extraction media" consideration is given both to the migration of heavy metals, particularly lead, into foods and to the migration of technical mineral oil from cloth sacks and bags. Turning now to herbicides, a most useful compilation in tabular form has been made of the available data on the physical and chemical properties and of the acute oral LDs0 values for every organic herbicide known to the authors at the time of writing. Since the words "biological properties" appear in the title of this chapter, it is a pity that the net was not cast wider to embrace details of the acute and long-term effects. But one senses that these aspects will not be neglected and will soon make their presence felt. To those interested in tracking down and estimating the rnetabolites of DDT in the animal body or their residues in crops, the proven conversion of DDT to DDD (TDE) under gas chromatographic conditions may come as a surprise. Breakdown to other products, namely DDE and the dehydrohalogenated product of DDD called DDDE was also demonstrated. These results emphasize the importance of running proper controls in analytical work and also provide the setting for a discussion on the mechanism underlying the breakdown of DDT to its very many metabolites. In view of the present controversy surrounding the concept of "zero" tolerances for pesticide residues, clarification of terms and calculations involved in ascertaining the analytical limits of detectability for residues is most timely. But one can pre~lict with safety that this aspect will be a long drawn out saga. Finally, to mark the occasion of this decadal issue there are cumulative subject and author indexes covering the first 10 volumes in this series, a feature to be warmly lauded.
Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators and Food Additives. Vol. 2. Edited by G. Zweig. Academic Press, New York, 1963. pp. xiv÷637. 171s. 6d. Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators and Food Additives. Vol. 22. Edited by G. Zweig. Academic Press, New York, 1964. pp. xvii+619. 164s. Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators and Food Additives. Vol. 122. Edited by G. Zweig. Academic Press, New York, 1964. pp. xiiq-237. 86s. Analytical Methods for Pesticides, Plant Growth Regulators and Food Additives. Vol. IV. Edited by G. Zweig. Academic Press, New York, 1964. pp. xiii+269. 86s. Edited by Gunter Zweig of the Agricultural Toxicology and Research Laboratory, California, this 4-volume treatise has been designed to satisfy the need for a convenient, single source of information on analytical techniques for the determination of pesticides, plant growth regulators and food additives, information on which has until now been scattered throughout the literature. The first part of Volume I constitutes a general consideration of the principles involved in formulation, residue and food additive analyses, as well as a discussion of extraction and clean-up procedures and a broad outline of toxicological testing methods. This is followed by detailed accounts of the various methods of analyses, including spectrophotometry, gas and paper chromatography and total halide and neutron activation. 2sotopic, enzymatic (cholinesterase) and bioassay techniques receive comprehensive treatment. The concluding chapters are concerned with the selection of suitable screening methods, the statistical evaluation of results, and the application of these various methods to the food industry in