Comparative physiology of salt and water stress.

Plant responses to salt and water stress have much in common. Salinity reduces the ability of plants to take up water, and this quickly causes reductions in growth rate, along with a suite of metabolic changes identical to those caused by water stress. The initial reduction in shoot growth is probably due to hormonal signals generated by the roots. There may be salt-specific effects that later have an impact on growth; if excessive amounts of salt enter the plant, salt will eventually rise to toxic levels in the older transpiring leaves, causing premature senescence, and reduce the photosynthetic leaf area of the plant to a level that cannot sustain growth. These effects take time to develop. Salt-tolerant plants differ from salt-sensitive ones in having a low rate of Na+ and Cl-- transport to leaves, and the ability to compartmentalize these ions in vacuoles to prevent their build-up in cytoplasm or cell walls and thus avoid salt toxicity. In order to understand the processes that give rise to tolerance of salt, as distinct from tolerance of osmotic stress, and to identify genes that control the transport of salt across membranes, it is important to avoid treatments that induce cell plasmolysis, and to design experiments that distinguish between tolerance of salt and tolerance of water stress.

Water relations and leaf expansion: importance of time scale.

The role of leaf water relations in controlling cell expansion in leaves of water-stressed maize and barley depends on time scale. Sudden changes in leaf water status, induced by sudden changes in humidity, light and soil salinity, greatly affect leaf elongation rate, but often only transiently. With sufficiently large changes in salinity, leaf elongation rates are persistently reduced. When plants are kept fully turgid throughout such sudden environmental changes, by placing their roots in a pressure chamber and raising the pressure so that the leaf xylem sap is maintained at atmospheric pressure, both the transient and persistent changes in leaf elongation rate disappear. All these responses show that water relations are responsible for the sudden changes in leaf elongation rate resulting from sudden changes in water stress and putative root signals play no part. However, at a time scale of days, pressurization fails to maintain high rates of leaf elongation of plants in either saline or drying soil, indicating that root signals are overriding water relations effects. In both saline and drying soil, pressurization does raise the growth rate during the light period, but a subsequent decrease during the dark results in no net effect on leaf growth over a 24 h period. When transpirational demand is very high, however, growth-promoting effects of pressurization during the light period outweigh any reductions in the dark, resulting in a net increase in growth of pressurized plants over 24 h. Thus leaf water status can limit leaf expansion rates during periods of high transpiration despite the control exercised by hormonal effects on a 24 h basis.

Liquid chromatographic determination of flumequine, nalidixic acid, oxolinic acid, and piromidic acid residues in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).

A peer-verified, liquid chromatographic (LC) method for simultaneous determination of residues of flumequine (FLU), nalidixic acid (NAL), oxolinic acid (OXO), and piromidic acid (PIR) in catfish muscle is presented. Sample workup involves homogenizing tissue with acetone, defatting with hexane, and extracting quinolones into chloroform. Sample is purified further by partitioning into base and then subsequently back-extracting into chloroform after acidifying the aqueous phase. After solvent is evaporated, the residue is diluted with mobile phase, and analytes are introduced into an LC system where separations are made with a 5 microns, reversed-phase polymer column and an isocratic, buffered acetonitrile-tetrahydrofuran mobile phase. Determinations are made by UV detection at 280 nm for PIR and by fluorescence detection (excitation at 325 excitation and emission at 365 nm) for the other 3 analytes. Each quinolone was used to fortify catfish muscle at 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 ng/g. The following recoveries and relative standard deviation (RSD) values represent an average of the 5 levels for each analyte: FLU, 79.7% (RSD = 5.7%); OXO, 80.8% (RSD = 6.3%); PIR, 75.0% (RSD = 5.9%); and NAL, 87.1% (RSD = 10%). Assay of 5 levels (base incurred catfish, plus 4 dilutions with control catfish) of catfish muscle incurred with the 4 quinolones gave the following averages: FLU: base, 198 ng/g (RSD = 2.3%); dilutions, 98.0 ng/g (RSD = 4.2%), 61.6 ng/g (RSD = 4.4%), 21.6 ng/g (RSD = 2.8%), 9.24 ng/g (RSD = 8.7%); OXO, base, 257 ng/g (RSD = 6.9%); dilutions, 146 ng/g (RSD = 5.5%), 95.0 ng/g (RSD = 4.1%), 30.7 ng/g (RSD = 3.8%), 13.7 ng/g (RSD = 4.6%); PIR, base, 22.1 ng/g (RSD = 4.2%); dilutions, 13.7% ng/g (RSD = 6.7%), 6.49 ng/g (RSD = 15%), 2.65 ng/g (RSD = 15%); and NAL, base, 75.1 ng/g (RSD = 3.8%); dilutions, 42.3 ng/g (RSD = 5.1%), 24.1 ng/g (RSD = 6.3%), 8.59 ng/g (RSD = 4.8%). A second multiresidue analysis of the 4 quinolones was performed by an outside analyst. Average recoveries from catfish fortified at 5, 10, 20, and 40 ng/g were FLU, 75.9% (RSD = 4.0%); OXO, 84.0% (RSD = 5.5%); NAL, 85.6% (RSD = 8.9%); and PIR, 66.2% (RSD = 8.7%).

Effect of water stress on cell division and cell-division-cycle 2-like cell-cycle kinase activity in wheat leaves

In wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings subjected to a mild water stress (water potential of -0.3 MPa), the leaf-elongation rate was reduced by one-half and the mitotic activity of mesophyll cells was reduced to 42% of well-watered controls within 1 d. There was also a reduction in the length of the zone of mesophyll cell division to within 4 mm from the base compared with 8 mm in control leaves. However, the period of division continued longer in the stressed than in the control leaves, and the final cell number in the stressed leaves reached 85% of controls. Cyclin-dependent protein kinase enzymes that are required in vivo for DNA replication and mitosis were recovered from the meristematic zone of leaves by affinity for p13(suc1). Water stress caused a reduction in H1 histone kinase activity to one-half of the control level, although amounts of the enzyme were unaffected. Reduced activity was correlated with an increased proportion of the 34-kD Cdc2-like kinase (an enzyme sharing with the Cdc2 protein of other eukaryotes the same size, antigenic sites, affinity for p13(suc1), and H1 histone kinase catalytic activity) deactivated by tyrosine phosphorylation. Deactivation to 50% occurred within 3 h of stress imposition in cells at the base of the meristematic zone and was therefore too fast to be explained by a reduction in the rate at which cells reached mitosis because of slowing of growth; rather, stress must have acted more immediately on the enzyme. The operation of controls slowing the exit from the G1 and G2 phases is discussed. We suggest that a water-stress signal acts on Cdc2 kinase by increasing phosphorylation of tyrosine, causing a shift to the inhibited form and slowing cell production.

Determination and confirmation of identities of flumequine and nalidixic, oxolinic, and piromidic acids in salmon and shrimp.

A previously published liquid chromatographic (LC) method for determining residues of flumequine (FLU) and nalidixic (NAL), oxolinic (OXO), and piromidic (PIR) acids in catfish tissue was applied to salmon and shrimp muscle. Identities of all 4 residues in salmon and shrimp were confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The tissue is homogenized with acetone, the acetone extract is defatted with hexane, and the quinolones are extracted into chloroform. The extract is further purified by first partitioning into base and then back-extracting from a solution acidified to pH 6.0. Analytes are determined by LC with simultaneous UV and fluorescence detection. Muscle tissue was fortified with each quinolone at 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 ng/g. Average recoveries and relative standard deviations (RSDs) for salmon, which represent an average of the 5 levels for each analyte, ranged from 75.9 to 90.8% and from 2.25 to 6.40%, respectively. Average recoveries and RSDs for shrimp ranged from 81.3 to 91.2% and from 7.34 to 10.7%, respectively. Identities of OXO, FLU, NAL, and PIR were confirmed in extracts of salmon and shrimp tissue fortified at 10 ng/g by determination of decarboxylated quinolones by GC/MS. Four diagnostic ions were monitored for OXO, FLU, and PIR, and 5 ions were monitored for NAL. All ion relative abundances were within 10% of those calculated for standard decarboxylated quinolones. Optimum conditions for decarboxylation and GC/MS confirmation are given.

Liquid chromatographic determination of simazine, atrazine, and propazine residues in catfish.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for the simultaneous determination of the triazine herbicides, simazine (SIM), atrazine (ATZ), and propazine (PRO) in the 12.5-100 ppb range in catfish. The herbicides are extracted from catfish homogenates with ethyl acetate, followed by solvent partitioning between acetonitrile and petroleum ether and additional cleanup on a C18 cartridge. A Supelcosil LC-18-DB column is used for LC separation, and UV determination is at 220 nm. The isocratic mobile phase is a mixture of methanol, acetonitrile, and water. Mean recoveries from catfish were 88.7, 96.9, and 91.7%; standard deviations were 6.84, 7.78, and 6.26%; and coefficients of variation were 7.72, 8.03, and 6.82% for SIM, ATZ, and PRO, respectively.

Determination of flunixin in milk by liquid chromatography with confirmation by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and selected ion monitoring.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for the determination of flunixin (FNX) in raw bovine milk. The milk was acidified and mixed with silica gel, and the mixture was packed into a chromatographic column. The column was defatted with water-saturated dichloromethane-hexane (30 + 70, v/v), and the analyte was eluted with EtOAc. The EtOAc extract was washed with water at pH 3.5, the water was discarded, and the EtOAc layer was then extracted with 0.1M NaOH. The aqueous layer was drained, passed through a primed C18 solid-phase extraction (SPE) column, and eluted with EtOAc. The EtOAc layer was dried under N2, taken up in a solution of MeOH-(5 mM tetrabutylammonium [TBA]-H2PO4 + 2 mM NaOH) (50 + 50), sonicated, and filtered. FNX was determined by LC using a C18 column (ODS Hypersil), a mobile phase mixture of 58% A (MeOH) and 42% B (5 mM TBA-H2PO4 + 2 mM NaOH), and a diode-array ultraviolet detector at 285 nm. FNX was determined in raw milk at 5 spiking levels (5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 ng drug/mL milk). Absolute recoveries ranged from 69.6 to 74.4%, and relative standard deviations ranged from 1.1 to 6.9%. The limit of quantitation was 1.7 ng drug/mL milk. A lactating cow was dosed intravenously (2.2 mg/kg) with flunixin meglumine (Banamine) to generate incurred milk residues. FNX residues ranged from 7.34 ng/mL at 16 h postdose to 1.74 ng/mL at 24 h postdose. Both levels were obtained with additional beta-glucuronidase treatment (almost no incurred drug was detected at these low levels without the enzyme treatment).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Determination of malachite green and its metabolite, leucomalachite green, in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) tissue by liquid chromatography with visible detection.

To determine residues of malachite green (MG) and its metabolite, leucomalachite green (LMG), in catfish tissue, analytes are extracted with acetonitrile-buffer and the extract is partitioned into methylene chloride. Final cleanup and isolation are performed on neutral alumina solid-phase extraction (SPE) and propylsulfonic acid cation-exchange SPE columns before analysis by liquid chromatography with visible detection. PbO2 postcolumn oxidation is performed by isocratic elution with a buffered mobile phase from a cyano column. Recoveries and relative standard deviations (RSDs) from fortified catfish tissues were 72.9% (RSD, 1.92%; 23 ppb), 75.5% (RSD, 6.85%; 11 ppb), and 69.6% (RSD, 6.93%; 5.7 ppb) for MG and 87.4% (RSD, 2.92%; 21 ppb), 88.1% (RSD, 5.94%; 10 ppb), and 82.6% (RSD, 11.5%; 5.3 ppb) for LMG. The method was applied to MG-incurred catfish at depuration times of 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h. Average levels of residual MG and LMG in the 24 h depuration catfish tissue were 73.4 and 289 ppb, respectively.

Liquid chromatographic determination of the anticoccidial drug halofuginone hydrobromide in eggs.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for the determination of 5-100 ppb halofuginone hydrobromide (HFG) in eggs. HFG as the free base is extracted from eggs with ethyl acetate. The extract is cleaned up on an acidic Celite 545 column. A Waters C18 column is used for LC separation with UV determination at 243 nm. The isocratic mobile phase is a mixture of water-acetonitrile-ammonium acetate buffer (12 + 5 + 3) and acetic acid. The interassay average recovery from eggs was 90.4%, with a standard deviation of 5.11 and a relative standard deviation of 5.65%.

Determination of leucogentian violet in chicken fat by liquid chromatography with electrochemical and ultraviolet detection: interlaboratory study.

A laboratory trial was completed for a liquid chromatographic method that can quantitate leucogentian violet (LGV) in chicken fat at 10 ppb. With this method, LGV is isolated from the fat matrix by a series of liquid-liquid extractions. This trial evaluated 2 detection systems: electrochemical (EC) and ultraviolet (UV). The participating laboratories determined incurred residues at 2 levels as well as fat samples fortified at 5, 10, and 20 ppb. Using UV detection, the 3 laboratories reported the following range of recoveries: 71.0-89.6% at 5 ppb, 74.7-83.9% at 10 ppb, and 77.2-79.0% at 20 ppb. When these same samples were chromatographed with EC detection, the 2 reporting laboratories obtained the following average recoveries: 79.0 and 92.5% at 5 ppb, 75.9 and 85.4% at 10 ppb, and 77.3 and 79.8% at 20 ppb. The average concentrations found for the first level of incurred sample were 6.3, 6.3, and 5.4 ppb with coefficients of variation (CVs) of 2.4, 7.6, and 33.7%, respectively, when UV detection was used. Samples chromatographed with EC detection averaged 6.3 and 6.4 ppb with CVs of 4.0 and 8.2%, respectively. The second level of incurred sample gave average concentrations of 27.6, 29.0, and 10.9 ppb with CVs of 11.0, 5.0, and 42.8%, respectively, when the UV detection system was used. With the EC detector, the concentrations averaged 27.2 and 30.7 ppb with CVs of 15.7 and 3.5%, respectively.

Gas chromatographic determination of chloramphenicol residues in shrimp: interlaboratory study.

An interlaboratory study of a gas chromatographic method for determining chloramphenicol (CAP) residues in shrimp was conducted. An internal standard (Istd), the meta isomer of CAP, was added to the shrimp, and the treated shrimp were homogenized with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate extract was defatted with hexane, and the CAP was partitioned into ethyl acetate from an aqueous salt solution. The ethyl acetate was evaporated, and the dried residue was treated with Sylon, a trimethylsilyl derivatizing agent, to yield the trimethylsilyl derivative of CAP. A portion of the solution containing the derivative was injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. Levels of fortified and incurred CAP were calculated from the peak area ratio of standard CAP to Istd. Recoveries of CAP from tissue directly fortified at 5 ppb were 102% (within-laboratory relative standard deviation [RSDr] = 5.6%), 104% (RSDr = 5.5%), and 108% (RSDr = 6.3%) from Laboratories 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Incurred-CAP residues at 5 and 10 ppb levels were also determined, with the following results: Laboratory 1: composite A, 4.56 ppb (RSDr = 14.0%); composite B, 8.38 ppb (RSDr = 11.6%); Laboratory 2: composite A, 4.17 ppb (RSDr = 12.5%); composite B, 8.90 ppb (RSDr = 5.60%); Laboratory 3: composite A, 4.66 ppb (RSDr = 14.9%); composite B, 11.0 ppb (RSDr = 11.8%).

Simultaneous determination of nitrofurazone, nitrofurantoin, and furazolidone in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) muscle tissue by liquid chromatography.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of nitrofurazone (NFZ), nitrofurantoin (NFT), and furazolidone (FZD) in catfish muscle tissue. The drugs were extracted from the tissue with acetonitrile, and the lipids were removed from the extract with hexane. The acetonitrile extract was evaporated by rotary evaporation, and the resultant drug residues were dissolved with LC mobile phase. The mixture was sonicated, centrifuged, and filtered. The drugs were determined by using LC with a C18 reversed-phase (ODS Hypersil) column, a mobile phase of acetonitrile-1% aqueous acetic acid (25 + 75), and a photodiode array ultraviolet detector at 375 nm. NFZ, NFT, and FZD were each determined in catfish tissue at 5 fortification levels (80, 40, 20, 10, and 5 ng drug/g tissue). Average recoveries of each of the 3 drugs at each level ranged from 70.7 to 101.5%, and relative standard deviations ranged from 2.2 to 18.6%. The limit of detection of each drug was approximately 1 ng drug/g tissue, and the limit of quantitation was 5 ng drug/g tissue. In the second part of the study, the method was used to determine nitrofuran residues incurred in catfish tissue. Live channel catfish were intravascularly doses (10 mg/kg body wt) with NFZ to generate drug-incurred fish muscle tissue. Incurred NFZ levels exceeded 400 ng drug/g tissue at 2 h after dosing but decreased rapidly to approximately 1 ng drug/g tissue by 8 h after dosing, as determined by this method.

Simultaneous determination of nitrofurazone and furazolidone in shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) muscle tissue by liquid chromatography with UV detection.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of nitrofurazone (NFZ) and furazolidone (FZD) in shrimp muscle tissue. The drugs are extracted from the tissue with acetonitrile, and the lipids and lipophilic pigments are removed from the extract with hexane. The remaining acetonitrile extract is evaporated by rotary evaporation, and the resultant residues are dissolved with LC-grade water, applied to a preconditioned C18 solid-phase extraction column, and eluted with acetonitrile. The acetonitrile eluant is then dried under nitrogen, and the resultant drug residues are dissolved with mobile phase and filtered. The drugs are determined by LC by using a C18 reversed-phase (octyldecylsilyl Hypersil) column, a mobile phase of acetonitrile--1% aqueous acetic acid (25 + 75, v/v), and a photodiode array UV detector at 375 nm. NFZ and FZD were determined in shrimp tissue at each of 5 spiking levels (64, 32, 16, 8, and 4 ng drug/g tissue). Absolute recoveries ranged from 70.6 to 78.4%, and relative standard deviations ranged from 4.0 to 13.6%. The limit of detection of pure standard of each drug was approximately the equivalent of 1 ng drug/g tissue, and the limit of determination in a sample was 4 ng drug/g tissue.

Simultaneous determination of xylazine and its major metabolite, 2,6-dimethylaniline, in bovine and swine kidney by liquid chromatography.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for the simultaneous determination of xylazine (XY) and its major metabolite, 2,6-dimethylaniline (2,6-DMA), in bovine and swine kidney in the 25-100 ppb range. XY and 2,6-DMA are extracted from kidney with chloroform, followed by cleanup on an acidic Celite 545 column. A mu Bondapak phenyl column is used for LC separation with UV determination at 225 nm. The mobile phase is a mixture of acetonitrile, water, sodium acetate, and acetic acid. Mean recoveries from bovine kidney were 78.3% for XY, with a standard deviation (SD) of 7.45 and a coefficient of variation (CV) of 9.51%, and 87.2% for 2,6-DMA, with an SD of 8.38 and a CV of 9.61%. Mean recoveries from swine kidney were 80.8% for XY, with an SD of 5.92 and a CV of 7.33%, and 86.7% for 2,6-DMA, with an SD of 6.16 and a CV of 7.10%.

The expression of salt tolerance from Triticum tauschii in hexaploid wheat.

Accessions of Triticum tauschii (Coss.) Schmal. (D genome donor to hexaploid wheat) vary in salt tolerance and in the rate that Na(+) accumulates in leaves. The aim of this study was to determine whether these differences in salt tolerance and leaf Na(+) concentration would be expressed in hexaploid wheat. Synthetic hexaploids were produced from five T. tauschii accessions varying in salt tolerance and two salt-sensitive T. turgidum cultivars. The degree of salt tolerance of the hexaploids was evaluated as the grain yield per plant in 150 mol m(-3) NaCl relative to grain yield in 1 mol m(-3) NaCl (control). Sodium concentration in leaf 5 was measured after the leaf was fully expanded. The salt tolerance of the genotypes correlated negatively with the concentration of Na(+) in leaf 5. The salt tolerance of the synthetic hexaploids was greater than the tetraploid parents primarily due to the maintenance of kernel weight under saline conditions. Synthetic hexaploids varied in salt tolerance with the source of their D genome which demonstrates that genes for salt tolerance from the diploid are expressed at the hexaploid level.

Liquid chromatographic determination of chlortetracycline hydrochloride in ruminant and poultry/swine feeds.

A liquid chromatographic (LC) method is described for the determination of chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CTC) in poultry/swine and ruminant feeds in the 10-100 ppm range and in premix. CTC is extracted from ground feed/premix with acidified acetone, and the extract is filtered through a Millex-HV filter or disposable C18 column. The filtrate is partitioned with methylene chloride when additional cleanup is necessary. A Nova-Pak C18 column is used for LC separation with determination at 370 nm. The average recovery of CTC from premix was 95% with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.70 and a coefficient of variation (CV) of 1.79%. The overall average recovery from feeds was 77% with an SD of 3.18 and a CV of 4.10%.

Determination of gentian violet, its demethylated metabolites, and leucogentian violet in chicken tissue by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

A method is presented for determination of residues of gentian violet (GV), its demethylated metabolites (pentamethyl and tetramethyl), and leucogentian violet (LGV) in chicken tissue. The analytes are extracted from tissue with acetonitrile/buffer and partitioned into methylene chloride. Polar lipids are removed on an alumina column followed by partitioning into methylene chloride from a citrate buffer. The compounds of interest are isolated on a disposable carboxylic acid cation exchange column and then eluted with 0.02% HCl in methanol. GV, its metabolites, and LGV are determined by liquid chromatography using isocratic elution with a buffered mobile phase from a cyano column and amperometric electrochemical detection at +1.000 V. Average recoveries of GV and LGV from commercially purchased chicken liver fortified with 20 ppb of each compound were 92% [standard deviation (SD) = 7, coefficient of variation (CV) = 7.6%] and 86% (SD = 7, CV = 8.1%), respectively. Average recoveries of GV, LGV, the pentamethyl metabolite, and 1 of the tetramethyl metabolites from control chicken liver (provided by the Center for Veterinary Medicine) fortified with 20 ppb of each compound were 80% (SD = 7, CV = 8.8%), 76% (SD = 3, CV = 3.9%), 83% (SD = 6, CV = 7.2%), and 76% (SD = 8, CV = 10.5%), respectively. Mean results from 10 analyses of residue-incurred chicken liver were 31 ppb GV (SD = 3, CV = 9.7%), 34 ppb pentamethyl metabolite (SD = 3, CV = 8.8%), and 40 ppb tetramethyl metabolite(s) (SD = 2, CV = 5.0%), for an average value of 105 ppb total residues (SD = 6, CV = 5.7%); no LGV was found. Data are also presented to show applicability of the method to muscle tissue.

Rapid method for determination of leucogentian violet in chicken fat by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

The metabolite leucogentian violet (LGV) was found in chicken fat obtained from chickens dosed with gentian violet (GV); however, no residues of the parent compound, GV, and its oxidized metabolites were found. Therefore, a rapid method was developed for the specific determination of LGV in chicken fat. Chicken fat containing LGV is separated from the cellular protein with methylene chloride. LGV is then separated from the fat by partition extraction with an aqueous acid phase in which LGV is protonated, and the fat is discarded with the methylene chloride layer. The aqueous solution is neutralized, LGV is re-extracted into methylene chloride, and the methylene chloride is evaporated. An acetonitrile-water solution containing LGV is filtered before liquid chromatography using a cyano column, an acetate buffer-acetonitrile mobile phase, and an electrochemical detector set at a potential of +1.000 V. Average recoveries of LGV from chicken fat were 83.9% with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 12.9% for the 5 ppb level; 82.8% with a CV of 13.5% for the 10 ppb level; and 77.7% with a CV of 2.56% for the 20 ppb level. Levels of incurred LGV in chicken fat averaged 49.3 ppb with a CV of 2.43%.

High-performance liquid chromatography of gentian violet, its demethylated metabolites, leucogentian violet and methylene blue with electrochemical detection.

High-performance liquid chromatographic conditions are reported for the electrochemical detection (ED) of Gentian Violet, its demethylated metabolites, Leucogentian Violet and Methylene Blue. Gentian Violet, its demethylated metabolites and Leucogentian Violet were separated within 14 min on a cyano column eluted isocratically with methanol-buffer (60:40) as the mobile phase. ED responses for Gentian Violet, Leucogentian Violet and Methylene Blue were linear over the ranges 0.54-6.75, 0.50-25.2, and 5.7-285 ng, respectively. Under these conditions, the compounds were eluted in the following order: Leucogentian Violet, N"-2-tetra-methylparaosaniline chloride, N'-1-tetramethylpararosaniline chloride, pentamethylpararosaniline chloride and Gentian Violet. Methylene Blue and Gentian Violet had essentially the same retention time under these parameters. The detection limit for Gentian Violet, its demethylated metabolites and Leucogentian Violet was determined to be 0.1 pmol. A detection limit of 3 pmol was established for Methylene Blue. Detector response, elution, separation, linearity and sensitivity of detection are discussed.