Impact of Decontamination Processes on the Reduction of Pesticide Residues in Green Chilli

This study has been designed to determine the extent of pesticide residue removal from chilli fruits through common household practices. One time foliar application of quinalphos, profenophos, ethion, cyhalothrin, imidacloprid, and acetamiprid was done as a tank mix at recommended doses at 50% fruit formation stage. Samples were collected after 48 hr of spray, subjected to various decontamination treatments, and analysed using the validated QuEChERS method employing GC-ECD (Gas Chromatograph Electron capture detector), and Liquid Chromatograph Tandem Mass Spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). Compared to all the treatments, soaking in 5% acetic acid for one min was found to be most effective in the removal of quinalphos (23.68%), profenophos (19.47%), ethion (23.33%), and cyhalothrin (25.00%). The next best treatment was found to be soaking for one min in lukewarm water, which removed 20-30% of quinalphos, ethion, cyhalothrin, and acetamiprid residues.