Environmental fate of chlorantraniliprole residues on cauliflower using QuEChERS technique

Abstract

Chlorantraniliprole, an anthranilic diamide insecticide with novel mode of action is found effective against several lepidopteran as well as coleopteran, dipteran, and hemipteran pests. The present studies were carried out to study the dissipation pattern of chlorantraniliprole on cauliflower and to suggest suitable waiting period for the safety of consumers. Quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method was used for the extraction and cleanup of samples and the residues of chlorantraniliprole were estimated using high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) and confirmed by liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer and high-performance thin layer chromatograph. Following three applications of chlorantraniliprole (Coragen 18.5 SC) at recommended dose (9.25 g a.i. ha(-1)) and double the recommended dose (18.50 g a.i. ha(-1)), the average initial deposits of chlorantraniliprole were observed to be 0.18 and 0.29 mg kg(-1), respectively. These deposits were found to be less than the maximum residue limit of 2.0 mg kg(-1) prescribed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. These residues dissipated below the limit of quantification of 0.10 mg kg(-1) after 3 and 5 days at recommended and double the recommended dosages, respectively. The half-life value (T (1/2)) of chlorantraniliprole was worked out to be 1.36 days following its application at recommended dosages. Hence, the use of this pesticide at recommended dosages does not seem to pose any risk, and a waiting period of 1 day is suggested for safe consumption of cauliflower curds.