Effect of household and industrial processing on the levels of pesticide residues and degradation products in melons

Abstract

Two varieties of melons (Cucumis melo) were treated with two fungicides (carbendazim and maneb) and four insecticides (acetamiprid, cyromazin, imazalil and thiamethoxam) to quantify the effect of household processing on the pesticide residues. To ensure sufficiently high levels of residues in flesh and peel, the most concentrated formulations were applied observing good agricultural practice. The peeling step decreased the concentration of pesticide residues for maneb, imazalil and acetamiprid by more than 90%. Cyromazin, carbendazim and thiamethoxam were reduced by approximately 50%. The reduction of the pesticides could not be fully explained by the systemic character of the pesticides. However, the agricultural practices (time of application), solubility and mode of action (systemic versus contact pesticide) of the pesticides could be used to explain the difference in processing factors for the studied pesticides. Degradation products (melamine and ethylenethiourea) were also investigated in this study, but were not detected.

Keywords:

• LC/MS
• GC
• pesticide residues
• fruit
• vegetables

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Belgian Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment (Contract Number RT 08/3 PESTRANS). The authors extend their grateful thanks to Redebel for setting up the field trials to obtain the commodities; and to Martine Deridder and Marie-Anne van den Bergh for help during the analysis of the samples.