Analytical investigation of selected pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables by an improved extraction method using reverse phase High Performance Liquid Chromatograph

Pesticide residues like chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, deltamethrin and dichlorvos were monitored by an improved extraction method from apple, peach and potato using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. The selected pesticides were extracted from fruits and vegetable samples using smaller volume of ethyl-acetate, anhydrous sodium sulphate, and sodium chloride. Cleanup of extract was done with activated charcoal. Final extracts of fruits and vegetable samples were analysed using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with a ultra-violet detector in an isocratic mode. Maximum residue levels (MRL), 0.924, 1.630 and 0.454 μg/g for chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin and deltamethrin were found in peach respectively. The MRL 0.283 μg/g for dichlorvos was found in apple samples. All these observed results were compared with Codex maximum residue levels. It was found that cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos residual amounts were greater than MRLs, so their spray on the target crops should be limited because these are resistant to the degradation.Keywords: Pesticide residues, reverse phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, dichlorvo