Abstract
ABSTRACT Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is widely recognized in food and feed systems but is susceptible to pest infestations, necessitating pesticide use that often leaves harmful residues. This study aims to optimize the combined chlorination and ozonation treatment parameters for effective pesticide removal from cowpeas using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The targeted pesticides in this study include Malathion, Chlorpyrifos, and Deltamethrin. The study investigated the impact of varying ozone dosage rates (0.1085–0.1899 g kg-1 min-1), chlorination levels (0–200 ppm), and ozonation times (5–30 min) on pesticide degradation. The results indicate that the optimal conditions achieved degradation rates of 99.5% for Malathion, 64.87% for Chlorpyrifos, and 67.79% for Deltamethrin. Additionally, the quality parameters of cowpeas, including moisture content, water activity, color difference, and texture, were evaluated to ensure minimal adverse effects. This study outlines a practical and feasible option for removing chemically stable residual pesticides in the cowpea supply chain.
Published Version
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