Simple method for decontamination of pesticide residues from selected fruits and vegetables

Akmal, Pasha and Vijayashankar, Y. N. and Karanth, N. G. K. (2004) Simple method for decontamination of pesticide residues from selected fruits and vegetables. Journal of Rural Technology, 1 (2). pp. 83-86.

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Abstract

Pesticides are widely used to control various pests of fruits and vegetable crops. Their residues are often found in market samples meant for consumption. Sometimes chemical residues are reported above the permissible limits depending upon the chemical property of the pesticide and the time interval between the last spray and harvest. Pesticide residues are toxic and therefore a threat to human health. Hence there is a need to remove these harmful residues from fruits and vegetables to ensure safety to the consumer. Most of the pesticides are insoluble in water and therefore washing fruits and vegetables with water does not completely remove pesticide residues. Different chemicals and their mixtures in aqueous medium were screened for their efficiency in dislodging these residues from selected fruits and vegetables. Known concentration of pesticides such as DDT, HCH, malathion, parathion and fenitrothion was sprayed in the laboratory onto the surface of market samples of fruits and vegetables. After keeping the samples overnight the pesticide residues were extracted into organic solvent and estimated by thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) method to ascertain the initial contamination level. The samples were then washed with b-cyclodextrin, industrial gums and chemical surfactant solutions of pharmaceutical grade quarternary ammonium compounds, individually and in combination at low concentration (0.01-1.0 % aqueous). Myristyl trimethylammonium acetate at 0.01 % dislodged 90-98 % of DDT in carrot, beans and cauliflower fortified at 4 to 20 ppm level. Almost complete removal was observed in grapes, tomatoes and apple. HCH treatment at 4 to 15 ppm level and malathion at 5 to 12 ppm and fenitrothion at 3 to12 ppm level were completely dislodged as shown by TLC. Decontamination trials were then scaled-up to 10 to 20 kg of fruits and vegetables. After the decontamination, the fruits and vegetables were washed with tap water and it was found that the keeping quality did not alter. The sensory studies revealed no change in attributes when compared with the untreated control samples. In fact, in some vegetables and fruits, the shelf life increased due to the action of these solutions on spoilage microorganisms. This wash method is simple, cost-effective and can be popularized in every rural household to get rid of the harmful chemical residues and their health-threats.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Pesticide, Residue, Decontamination, Myristyl trimethylammonium acetate, β-Cyclodextrin, Industrial gums, Quarternary ammonium compounds
Subjects:	600 Technology > 08 Food technology > 23 Vegetables 600 Technology > 08 Food technology > 24 Fruits 500 Natural Sciences and Mathematics > 04 Chemistry and Allied Sciences > 26 Pesticide Chemistry
Divisions:	Food Protectants and Infestation Control
Depositing User:	Food Sci. & Technol. Information Services
Date Deposited:	25 May 2007
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2018 04:16
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/614

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