New method for the determination of 1,1-dimethylhydrazine residues in apples and peaches.

A new method for determining 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) in peaches and apples is presented. The method consists of extraction with L-ascorbic acid, derivatization with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde to the corresponding hydrazone, and cleanup on an alumina column. The hydrazone derivative is determined by gas chromatography using an electron-capture detector. Recoveries were determined from 10 to 100 ppb. Stability of the UDMH residues on frozen peaches was investigated, and results indicate that the residues degrade even while frozen.