YELLOW RAIN-ANALYSIS EVALUATION OF LEAF PIECES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00037495
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2017
• Case Number: F-2012-01432
• Publication Date: September 18, 1984

Approved for Release: 2015/01/05 000037495
ANALYTICAL RESEARCI DIVISICA -
RESEARCII DIRECTORATE
18 September 134
Analysis/Evale:ticn of Leaf Pir.C2S
A shipment desionated 1C-327C(), also lt,e5tified with Th830513-31_,
was received by the Analytical REsaarch Division, Research Directorate,
3 June 1983, frcr, FSTC. Information concerning :;:2 sample indicated
it could have been from an area subjected to ciianical attack. The
Sample consisted of one icrs2 and one small leaf piece each with yel7o-3
spots approximately 3 to 5mm diameter (Figure 1). The pieces were enclosed
in a glass battle fitted with a rubber septum closure.
A vapor sample withdrawn from within the bottle was subjected to
analysis by gas chrcmatography/mas spectrematry (GC/I;S). One portion of
the sample was leached in cnloroform. Another portion was leached in
1:1 methano:water, The solvent soluble materials were analyzed by ains,
ion chromatography (IC), -thin layer chromatooraony (TLC) and infrared
spectrometry OM In addition, a yellow spot on a leaf piece was evaluated
by scanning electron microscopy (SE).
The GC/IIS spectra of the vapor associated with the leaf pieces identified
ethyl caproate, ethyl but:rcate and iso-pent:nol as major components with
caproic acid, ethyl prooentw-Ae .rd an unidentified compcund /1/Z .4 115, 89,
71, 70, 55 and 43 as minor components and a fluoride as a possible trace
component. The GC/MS sctra of the chloroform solubles identified the
aliphatic hydrocarbons C25, C27 and C29, with the C27 having the highest
concentration. In addition, methyl - - butenol, caproic acid and two
unidentified components having base peaks of 71 and 69 were detected. Ion
chromatography deteced no ions of interest. No detectable components were
separated by TLC Derivatizaticn with negative ion chemical ionization,
MS detection was negative for trichothecenes. Gas chromatography detected
components which could possibly be beesax; however, the concentration
was too low for confirmation. IR spectra identified the presence of
aliphatic hydrocarbons and a carbony1.5El1 evaluation shoed the yellow
spots consisted primarily of two pollen species overgrown with hyphae and
spores (Figure 2).
Conclusion: No evidence of any knon C agant, agent deoradation product or
trichothecene was detected. The presence of a fatty acid and several fatty
acid esters could be natural components of the large, waxy leaf. The pollen
and fungal growth detected could be from natural sources, since no
trichothecenes were detected.
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FIGURE 2
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