Domestic methods for the removal of pesticide residues in chilies

Abstract

Now a days understanding of the magnitude and impact of the pesticide exposure is an important concern for the consumers. In daily life Chilies are the unavoidable food material and which are highly exposed to pesticide usage. In order to investigate the effectiveness of several cleaning methods in removing pesticide residues in chilles a study was conducted in Pesticide Management Division, NIPHM. Normally available chilies in the market are treated with five pesticides which includes Bifenthrin, Deltamethrin, Hexaconazole, Lamda cyhalothrin and Profenophos and the treated sample was subjected to four different household methods for removal of residues like T1 (Running Tap water wash, T2 (Boiling for 10 min), T3 (Soaking in 2% salt solution for 10 min), T4 (Soaking in 2% salt solution for 10 min+ boiling for 10 min). The residues present in the sample were analysed by using QTOF GC/MS instrument. Among the four methods 2% salt solution + boiling method had greatest residue removal effect for Deltamethrin (72.90%) to Hexaconazole (37.23%).