Effects of home preparation on organophosphorus pesticide residues in raw cucumber

• Published in: Food chemistry Vol. 133; no. 3; pp. 636 - 640
• Main Authors: Liang, Y., Wang, W., Shen, Y., Liu, Y., Liu, X.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; chlorpyrifos; Cucumber; cucumbers; dichlorvos; dietary exposure; dimethoate; fenitrothion; Food industries; Fruit and vegetable industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Home preparation; mass spectrometry; Organophosphorus pesticide; pesticide residues; pesticide use reduction; sodium bicarbonate; sodium carbonate; storage temperature; tap water; trichlorfon; washing; Home preparation; Cucumber; Organophosphorus pesticide; Vegetables; Residue; Preparation; Pesticides
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.01.016

► Effects of home preparation on pesticide residues in raw cucumber were studied. ► Washing with detergent solutions proved more effective than tap water. ► Storing and ultrasonic cleaning are both effective for pesticides reduction. The effects of washing with tap water and different detergent solutions, storage at different temperatures and ultrasonic cleaning on organophosphorus pesticide (trichlorfon, dimethoate, dichlorvos, fenitrothion, and chlorpyrifos) residue levels in raw cucumber was investigated. Analysis was carried out by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Washing with detergent solutions proved more effective than tap water. The organophosphorus pesticides reduced from 31.1% to 98.8% after washing with detergent solutions for 20min. Among detergent solutions, 5% sodium carbonate solution caused the greatest loss in trichlorfon and dimethoate, and 5% sodium bicarbonate solution caused the greatest loss in dichlorvos, fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos. Storage at 4°C for 48h caused pesticides reduction by 60.9–90.2%. Ultrasonic cleaning for 20min lowered pesticides by 49.8–84.4%. The data indicated that home preparation is effective for the reduction of organophosphorus pesticide residues in raw cucumber and it is useful for reducing the dietary exposure.