A Spectrophotometric Method for Determining Petroleum Oil Deposits on Plant Surfaces with Oil Red O Dye1

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Abstract
A method is described for determining petroleum oil deposits on bark surfaces in the dormant stage and on the foliage of the quince and other deciduous fruits. Oil Red O dye is dissolved in the oil prior to its application in the form of an emulsion. The oil and dye are extracted from the plant surface with petroleum ether (35-60oC). The amount of dye present and indirectly the amount of oil is calculated from transmission measurements made on a Beckman Model B spectrophotometer, using the equation: [image] K is determined for each dyed oil used. Check or blank values, determined as in the case of sprayed samples, are deducted to give the net oil present. It was found that the above formula is valid for K values between 40 and 70% transmittance. The dye is stable in petroleum ether when exposed to light in the laboratory over a period of one week.

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