Removal of pesticide residues from apple and tomato cuticle

Abstract

Pesticide residues are always an unsolved problem in the world despite all kinds of prevention measures. The present research work is based on a scientifc hypothesis, i.e., “The removal of average pesticide residue is inversely proportional to the thickness of cuticle.” The efects of boron-containing products and plant-based surfactants were tested for the removal of fve pesticides (lambda-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, difubenzuron, metafumizone, acetamiprid) on tomatoes and apples. Boron-containing products were able to remove the pesticide residues on average between 58.0 and 72.6% in tomatoes and 33.2–58.8% in an apple. While plant-based surfactants removed residues on average between 58.5 and 66.6% in tomatoes and 41.0–53.2% in an apple. The highest removal rate was 72% with etidot at 1%. The solution of 1% C8–C10 provided 66.6% average removal for tomatoes. Less removal was achieved in apples. For an apple, Log Kow and molecular mass (independent variables) were signifcant with p<0.01, and the coefcient of determination (R2 ) was>0.87. However, the multiple linear regression analysis for ground colemanite was signifcant with R2 of 0.96. In tomatoes, neither Log Kow nor molecular mass as signifcant. The correlation was found between the physical and chemical properties of pesticides, but it is estimated that the thickness of the cuticle is efective in removing pesticides.