Evaluation of dissipation, unit–unit-variability and terminal residue of etoxazole residues in strawberries from two different parts in Egypt

Abstract

Etoxazole is a systemic acaricide widely used in several crops with important significance in strawberries in order to control mites. Consequently, the presence of etoxazole residues in strawberries cannot be excluded. But, are these residues safe for the consumers and in compliance with the regulatory limits? To address these questions, the dissipation kinetics and the terminal residue of etoxazole in field strawberry fruits in Egypt were investigated and a dietary exposure risk assessment was performed. A decline of etoxazole residues in strawberries as a first-order decay process demonstrating a half-life (t1/2) of 2.8 days and a significant degradation (97.7%) after 14 days. In all cases, variability factors estimated for etoxazole in strawberries were stable ranging from 1.50 to 1.94 at several preharvest intervals. Regarding the compliance with EUMRLs, the selection of the appropriate preharvest interval was critical. No evident risk to consumers was identified from the consumption of outdoor strawberries following the Good Agricultural Practices in Egypt.