Spectrofluorimetric Analysis of the Fungicide Carbendazim and Its Metabolite 2-Aminobenzimidazole in Natural Water

A spectrofluorimetric method for the direct analysis of carbendazim [methyl 2-benzimidazole carbamate (MBC)] fungicide and its metabolite 2-aminobenzimidazole (2-AB) in natural waters is described. Very low limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) values of 0.002 - 0.06 ng/mL and 0.006 - 0.2 ng/mL, respectively, were determined by spectrofluorimetric method with small relative standard deviation (RSD) values < 1%. This spectrofluorimetric method was applied to the determination of MBC and 2-AB residues in natural waters, with satisfactory recovery values of (88.5% - 119.2%).