Method validation for determination of nine pesticides in okra and their mitigation using different solutions

Anjana Srivastava; Gajan Pal Singh; Prakash Chandra Srivastava

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0260851

Method validation for determination of nine pesticides in okra and their mitigation using different solutions

PLoS One. 2021 Dec 2;16(12):e0260851. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260851. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Anjana Srivastava¹, Gajan Pal Singh¹, Prakash Chandra Srivastava²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemistry, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, US Nagar, Uttarakhand, India.
² Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, US Nagar, Uttarakhand, India.

Abstract

In this paper we optimized QuEChERS method for extraction of nine pesticides viz. acephate, acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, profenofos (insecticides), carbendazim and tebuconazole (fungicides) and performed their quantitative estimation in okra crop by HPLC-UV and GC-ECD. Decontamination treatments namely washing with running tap water, soaking in lukewarm water (50-60°C), soaking in solutions of 1% NaCl, 5% NaHCO3, 2% CH3COOH, 0.01% KMnO4 and three commercial formulations were also done for ten minutes every time, to calculate the extent of pesticide removal from okra. Results revealed that the proposed extraction method was efficient, inexpensive, accurate, rapid and precise and can suitably be used for the simultaneous quantitative determination of the above pesticides. The standard curve was linear over the concentration range of 0.05-5μg g-1 with R2 close to one (0.999). Soaking of okra in 2% acetic acid and then washing proved as the best decontamination treatments for all the pesticides. It showed the highest relative decontaminating capacity in comparison to the other solutions tested. Since the pesticide residues are usually present in higher amount in vegetables being consumed, it is of utmost importance to keep an eye over the use of pesticides to protect the crops.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Abelmoschus / chemistry*
Abelmoschus / metabolism
Acetic Acid / chemistry*
Food Contamination / analysis*
Food Contamination / prevention & control*
Pesticides / analysis*
Pesticides / isolation & purification*

Substances

Pesticides
Acetic Acid

Grants and funding

This study was financed by the Coordinator, All India Network Project (AINP) on Pesticide Residue Analysis, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi vide grant no AINP/25 dated 21.5.2020 awarded to Anjana Srivastava. The funds provided for financial assistance were very limited and were only enough to conduct the studies. A letter informing these facts has already been submitted earlier. Due to lack of funds available for meeting the expenses of publication the authors request the Editor, PLOS One to kindly provide a complete waiver of publication fee for the research article.