Study of the concentration of the herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-acetic acid in coca leaves and paste obtained from plants treated with this herbicide.
The herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-acetic acid (2,4-D) is considered to be the most cost-effective for eradicating illicit coca plants. Since coca leaves are chewed by the natives of coca producing areas, and, since coca paste and cocaine are widely abused, a study was undertaken to determine whether 2,4-D is translocated into the leaves and transferred to coca paste when coca plants are treated with this herbicide. The study concluded that basal treatment of coca plants with 2,4-D ester resulted in translocation of 2,4-D into the leaves, and this herbicide was detected in high concentrations one week after treatment. Coca paste prepared from leaves obtained from basally treated plants did not contain 2,4-D. Foliage spraying resulted in extremely high concentrations of 2,4-D in the leaves, with significantly high concentrations of the herbicide found one week after spraying. Trace amounts of 2,4-D were detected in coca paste prepared from plants sprayed by the foliage method.
D015085:2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods; D003041:Coca / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D003042:Cocaine / Q000032:analysis*; D003678:Defoliants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000379:methods; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D006540:Herbicides / Q000032:analysis*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000032:analysis*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D013997:Time Factors
D003678:Defoliants, Chemical; D006540:Herbicides; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; D015085:2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; D003042:Cocaine