Dissipation kinetics and decontamination of novaluron residues in cowpea, eggplant, and okra

Abstract

Novaluron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor that belongs to the benzoylphenyl urea insecticides, is used against pests of vegetables. The dissipation kinetics of novaluron in cowpea, eggplant, and okra was studied in a field trial to determine its safety for use. The fruit samples drawn periodically were extracted and cleaned up using a modified QuEChERS method, and analyzed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass detection. Dissipation of novaluron applied on to fields of cowpea, eggplant, and okra at 100 gram of active ingredient per hectare followed first order kinetics with waiting period of 3.4 − 3.6 days. Processing of novaluron-contaminated fruit with different household methods also reduced the levels of novaluron residues to various extents.

Keywords:

• Vigna unguiculata
• Abelmoschus esculentus
• Solanum melongena
• novaluron
• waiting period
• half-life
• decontamination

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Kerala Agricultural University for providing field and analytical research facilities for the conduct of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).