Residual Characteristics of Etofenprox and Methoxyfenozide in Chinese Cabbage

Two insecticides, commonly used for Chinese cabbage, etofenprox and methoxyfenozide, were subjected to a field residue trial to evaluate safeties of the residues at harvest. The pesticides were sprayed onto the crop at recommended and double doses 10 days before the prearranged harvest and then sampling was done at 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 12 days after spraying. The amounts of pesticides residues in the crop were analyzed by chromatographic methods. Limits of detection (LODs) of both etofenprox and methoxyfenozide were and mean recoveries were (CV=2.76%) and (CV=2.69%) in case of etofenprox and (CV=3.11%) and (CV=1.43%) in case of methoxyfenozide, respectively. Biological half-lives of etofenprox and methoxyfenozide were 3.2 and 3.5 days at the recommended dose and 2.7 and 3.5 days at the double dose, respectively. Initial residue levels of the pesticides at the recommended and double doses exceeded their MRLs, but final residue levels of the pesticides in the crop samples at harvest were less than their MRLs. The ratios of the EDI to ADI by intake the crop harvested 10 days after spraying were less than 4% of their ADIs, representing that residue levels of two pesticides at harvest were evaluated as safe.