New chromogenic reagent for identification of chlorinated cyclodienes in biological samples

Mercuric nitrate in nitric acid follwed by Sulphanilamide is chromogenic reagent for the identification of chlorinated cyclodiene insecticides like endrin, heptachlor, endosulfan, toxaphene, aldrin, dieldrin has been developed. The reaction involves pre-oxidation with mercuric nitrate in nitric acid of the cyclodienes to corresponding carbonyl compound and colour formation with sulphanilamide. In the present context ofendosulfan having the highest incidence of poisoning the yello wish spots obtained as against brick-red spots of heptachlor, toxaphene, aldrin and dieldrin would make theproposed reagent especially suitable for the chlorinated insecticides. In the case ofmostfrequently method with endosulfan it would be a good corroborative identification parameter.