Visualization and metabolome for the migration and distribution behavior of pesticides residue in after-ripening of banana

Abstract

Exploring the behavior of pesticide residues in fruits is important for effectively applying pesticides and minimizing the risk of pesticide exposure to humans. However, most studies do not consider in situ visual analysis of residues and migration patterns in fresh fruit samples. We investigated the migration patterns of thiram, propamocarb, imidacloprid and pyraclostrobin in fresh bananas based on ambient mass spectrometry imaging, metabolome and transcriptome analysis. The systemic pesticides entered via lateral penetration and vertical migration over time, which began to internally migrate to the inner core after 6 h. The non-systemic pesticide thiram did not enter the interior of the bananas, and remained only in the peel. The transportation rate of the pesticides increased with the decrease of water–octanol partition coefficient and the relative molecular mass. Moreover, the pesticide migrated fast with the increase of banana ripeness. The pesticides significantly enhanced pyruvate kinase, NADP-dependent malic enzyme, and malate synthase activities in the banana peels through carbohydrate metabolism. The banana pulp was also protected against the external toxicity of pesticides by the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. These results can provide guidelines for the appropriate application of pesticides and their safety evaluation.