Removal of Malathion Residues from Fruits and Vegetables by Washing Processes

In order to determine the removal efficiency of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables by washing processes, samples of lettuce, young Chinese radish, Chinese cabbage, green red pepper, strawberry and grape were artificially contaminated with malathion and washed according to the household practices. After three times washings with water, the remaining ratios of malathion residues in grape, green red pepper, strawberry, young Chinese radish, lettuce and Chinese cabbage were 9.7%, 25.2%, 28.0%, 29.7%, 38.9% and 57.5%, respectively. After washing with detergent solution followed by two times rinsing with water, the remaining ratios of malathion residues in the same food samples were 1.6%, 8.3%, 15.8%, 24.8%, 27.2% and 45.9%, respectively. The removal efficiency of malathion by detergent washing was significantly higher than the water washings only. The removal ratio of malathion residues was the highest in the first washing and the ratio fell greatly in the following washings. The removal efficiency was not quite different in the temperature range of of the washing solution, but the efficiency at was 2-3 times higher than other temperature ranges.