Simple and rapid portable chromatographic method for separation and detection of phenylmercuric acetate in seeds and water.

Phenylmercuric acetate can be detected by horse liver acetone powder succinate dehydrogenase inhibition, using a mixture of 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyl tetrazolium chloride (INT), sodium succinate, and N-methylphenazonium methosulfate as the chromogenic reagent. The simple cleanup involves extraction of phenylmercuric acetate in chloroform and concentration by evaporation. In the extract, the compounds in seeds or water could be separated and identified by paper chromatography in the field or laboratory at microgram levels with an acetone-water (70 + 30) solvent system.