Pelargonic acid dosage

Pelargonic acid , also known as nonanoic acid, is a saturated nine-carbon (C9) fatty acid found naturally in certain plants such as geranium and nettle. It is best known for its use as an active ingredient in natural biopesticides and non-selective herbicides, often used in sustainable agricultural practices and organic farming.

It acts by direct contact with the cell membranes of unwanted plants, causing them to dry out quickly. Its effectiveness, combined with high biodegradability, makes it an increasingly used alternative in contexts where the use of conventional plant protection products is limited or regulated.

Why measure pelargonic acid?

Pelargonic acid dosage is essential to ensure the quality, regulatory compliance and safety of plant protection formulations. It is a key parameter in:

• Verification of the concentration in ready-to-use herbicide solutions or concentrated formulations.
• Control of the stability of finished products during their shelf life.
• Environmental studies on persistence or migration in soils, water or plants.
• The characterization of plant extracts used in biostimulants or natural phytopharmaceutical products.

Under the European Plant Protection Products Regulation (EC No. 1107/2009), the accurate determination of active substance content is a regulatory requirement for registration, placing on the market and post-market control.

Available analytical methods

YesWeLab's partner laboratories carry out the determination of pelargonic acid using validated analytical chemistry techniques that comply with industrial requirements:

• GC-MS (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry): reference method for precise quantification in complex matrices (concentrated formulations, residues).

• LC-MS (liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry): alternative method suitable for certain hydrophilic or thermally unstable matrices.

These methods allow very high sensitivity and high specificity to be obtained, even at low concentrations.

Commonly analyzed matrices

Pelargonic acid assay can be applied to different matrices, depending on your quality control, regulatory validation or formulation study needs:

• Phytosanitary solutions (ready-to-use formulations or concentrates)
• Plant extracts naturally containing pelargonic acid
• Agricultural formulations based on natural active agents
• Biocontrol products in development or already marketed
• Rinse water, soils, agricultural effluents (environmental analyses)

Entrust your analyses to YesWeLab

YesWeLab relies on a network of more than 200 partner laboratories, specialized in environmental, agrochemical, and physicochemical analyses, most of which are ISO 17025 certified and/or COFRAC accredited. We select the laboratories best suited to your needs, based on:

• From the analyzed matrix
• Of the required analytical technique
• From your time constraints, budget or quality standards

Since 2020, many manufacturers, formulators and distributors have entrusted us with the management of their analyses via our centralized digital platform, which facilitates requests, sample tracking and access to results.

Get a personalized quote

Are you interested in measuring pelargonic acid in your formulations or environmental matrices? Request a quote now via our platform or contact our scientific team to be directed to the most suitable method and laboratory.

YesWeLab, your partner for tailor-made, compliant, reliable and responsive analyses.