1Professor,
2Associate Professor,
3Professor and Head,
4Retd. Professor,
*Corresponding Author Dr. Smitha Rani Associate Professor,
India is an agriculture-based country. The use of organophosphates is rampant for the protection of agricultural products from pests, during growing, storage and sometimes also for ripening. Exposure to pesticides can pose a potential risk to humans. These pesticides are widely used for the production of both vegetables and fruits. Dimethoate is one of the most common Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides sprayed on mangoes.
The present study aimed to examine dimethoate residue levels in the first and second washings of mango samples sourced from different markets in Mysuru city and compare it with a control group of organic mango samples using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.
The present study showed the presence of dimethoate residue in the first washing of a sample from a specific source, whereas none of the secondary washings from the test samples indicated the presence of dimethoate.
Adequate washing of food items before usage is an effective means of reducing the potential health risks associated with the consumption of pesticide residues on the surface of fruits and vegetables.
Organophosphates, Dimethoate, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Mango