Assessment and management of pesticide residual toxicity in grapes and strawberry

Abstract

This study aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze the pesticide residues (PR) in selected fruits with and without pre-treatment. Two fruits (grapes and strawberry) were selected randomly from a local market in Coimbatore district. Pesticides were quantified by Gas Chromatograph with and without treatment (washing by dipping in 2% salt solution for 10 min, mechanical peeling and juicing) concurrently. QuEChERS method was used for preparation of samples for analysis of pesticide residue. The samples without pre-treatment showed the presence of Organo Phosphorus (OP) pesticides. The amount of Ethion in the grape sample was 15.99 ppm and MePrimphose was 22.98 ppm, which is above the MRL (i.e. > 0.05), while strawberry was reported to have Ethion (3855.56 ppm). The samples analysed after pre-treatment showed no detectable level of pesticide residue. The study puts forward the importance of organic foods and kitchen garden for elimination of these toxicities to human health.