The use of HPLC for the detection and quantification of formaldehyde in the pteridophyta.

Formaldehyde, as its dimedone adduct, formaldemethone, has been detected and quantified in all species of Pteridophyta examined. The procedure involved the use of an Hypersil C-18 column, methanol-water (60 : 40 v/v) as the mobile phase and an UV detector set at 258 nm. Quantification was based on peak height. Yields varied from 30 microg/g fresh weight for Polystichum setiferum to 5370 microg/g fresh weight for Selaginella viticulosa.