Photolysis of pesticides: influence of epicuticular waxes fromPersica laevis DC on the photodegradation in the solid phase of aminocarb, methiocarb and fenthion

Pesticides with N,N-dimethyl and thiomethyl moieties (aminocarb, methiocarb and fenthion) were irradiated under artificial light (λ > 290 nm) in an amorphous wax phase from Persica laevis DC. The effect of the presence of the wax on the photolysis rate differed in the three pesticides, increasing it in aminocarb, having little effect in methiocarb and slowing it down in fenthion. The presence of the wax affected the qualitative photodegradation behaviour of all the pesticides. The data obtained were compared with those for pirimicarb, which had been studied earlier. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry