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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health logoLink to International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
. 2019 Feb 6;16(3):472. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16030472

Comparison of Different Home/Commercial Washing Strategies for Ten Typical Pesticide Residue Removal Effects in Kumquat, Spinach and Cucumber

Yangliu Wu 1, Quanshun An 1, Dong Li 1, Jun Wu 1, Canping Pan 1,*
PMCID: PMC6388112  PMID: 30736280

Abstract

Home processing can reduce pesticide residues in agricultural products, and the common forms of treatment include washing, peeling, blanching, and cooking. In this study, the removal effects of tap water, micron calcium solution, alkaline electrolyzed water (AlEW), ozone water, active oxygen, and sodium bicarbonate on 10 typical pesticide residues in kumquat, cucumber, and spinach were investigated. The residue magnitudes were determined by chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS, LC-MS/MS), combined with the QuEChERS pretreatment method. The model tests showed that the results of soaking and greenhouse were close. The removal effects of pesticide residues in kumquat and cucumber washing by alkaline electrolyzed water with a high pH value, micron calcium, and active oxygen solution were better than other washing solutions. The sodium bicarbonate solution, ozone water, and active oxygen solution were more effective in reducing pesticide residues in spinach than others. Active oxygen solution showed a better removal efficiency for the 10 pesticides than other treatments because of its alkalinity and oxidizability. Among the ten pesticides, pyrethroid pesticides had a higher removal rate. Additionally, chlorpyrifos were the most difficult to remove. For the majority of pesticides, the pesticide residue magnitudes showed a gradual reduction when increasing the washing time. The results indicated that alkaline solutions were effective for the reduction of pesticide residues when the washing time was longer than 15 min.

Keywords: pesticide residues, washing process, alkaline electrolyzed water, active oxygen, micron calcium solution

1. Introduction

Pesticides are used to control plant diseases, insect pests, and weeds and regulate plant growth to ensure the quality and quantity of the produce. Pesticides are not made up of one component, but consist of several mixtures and adjuvants. Excessive pesticide residues can do great harm to customers, with effects such as neurotoxicity, carcinogenicity, reproduction abnormality, and cell dysplasia. Nowadays, pesticide remnant is still a major problem affecting the quality and security of fruits and vegetables.

Food processing, such as washing, peeling, blanching, and cooking, plays a common role in the reduction of residues. Washing is the most common and direct form of food processing, is usually the first step before consumption, and is used for removing pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables [1,2]. After harvest, some kinds of produce, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, are often washed with tap water to remove dirty marks on the surface, which are then consumed directly. However, tap water has a limited effect on the removal of pesticide residues, because many pesticides are hydrophobic [3]. Therefore, many detergent solutions are used to degrade pesticides in vegetables and fruits, including sodium chloride solution, acetic acid, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate. Y. Liang [4] studied the removal of five organophosphorus pesticides in raw cucumber with home preparation, and the research results show that washing by tap water for 20 min only caused a pesticides reduction of 26.7–62.9%. Sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate solution caused a pesticides reduction of 66.7–98.9%. Storage in low temperature caused a pesticides reduction of 60.9–90.2% and ultrasonic cleaning for 20 min lowered pesticides by 49.8–84.4% in raw cucumber. Apart from the common detergent solutions, ozone is also used for the removal of the pesticides residue in fruits and vegetables such as carrot, Chinese white cabbage and greenstem bok choy [5], and orange [6], without modifying its physicochemical property and organoleptic characteristics [7]. The highest removal percentages of tetradifon and chlorpyrifos ethyl in lemon and grapefruit matrices that have been achieved with ozonation are 98.6% and 94.2%, respectively. Ozone can also degrade some pesticides in natural waters [8,9]. Meanwhile, electrolytic water is also widely investigated as a disinfectant and detergent in the food industry. There are two types of electrolytic water. Electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water is extensively used with a low pH and high oxidation–reduction potential. Electrolyzed reduced (ER) water has limited application due to its characteristic of a high pH and low ORP [10,11]. However, researchers found that the ER water could be used as a cleaning solution to reduce pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables; for example, cabbage, leek [2], beans, grapes [3], and cowpea [11]. The removal of six pesticides in cowpea washing by AlEW solution (pH = 12.2) for 45 min was 48–85%. Based on previous studies, alkaline electrolyzed water with two different pH values was selected as a cleaning agent.

In this study, the objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of detergent solution in removing the pesticides organophosphates, triazoles, pyrethroids, and neonicotinoids from fresh kumquat, spinach, and cucumber, which are widely used to control pests and diseases in fruits and vegetables. Kumquat and cucumber can be washed and directly eaten without peeling and cooking. Spinach is one of the most common vegetables in daily life and is very nutritional. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the removal of pesticide residues in kumquat, cucumber, and spinach with washing treatments. The main physic-chemical properties and chemical structures of the studied pesticides are presented in Table 1 and Figure 1, respectively. The common home preparation, tap water, and sodium bicarbonate solution [12], were used for comparison with alkaline electrolyzed water and ozone water, which have often been reported in the literature. At the same time, the micron calcium and active oxygen of the pesticide removal products on the market were also compared. Different treatment methods were used to clean the matrix for 5, 15, 20, and 30 min, combined with the QuEChERS pretreatment method [13], as well as chromatography-mass spectrometry technology, in order to find the best cleaning method and the best cleaning time. At the same time, the impact of different treatment methods and pesticides on different substrates was explored.

Table 1.

The main properties of the studied pesticides.

Pesticides Category LogP * Stability Water Solubility at 20 °C (mg/L)
Chlorpyrifos Insecticide 4.7 Rate of hydrolysis increases with pH 1.05
Myclobutanil Fungicide 2.89 Stable in water (pH 4–9) at 25 °C 132
Tebuconazole Fungicide 3.56 - 36
Bifenthrin Insecticide 6.6 hydrolysis in alkaline media 0.001
Lambda-cyhalothrin Insecticide 5.5 hydrolysis in alkaline media 0.9
Beta-cypermethrin Insecticide 5.8 hydrolysis in strongly alkaline media 0.005
Esfenvalerate Insecticide 6.24 Rapidly hydrolysis in alkaline media 0.001
Difenoconazole Fungicide 4.36 - 15
Acetamiprid Insecticide 0.8 Degrade slowly at pH 9, 45 °C 2950
Imidacloprid Insecticide 0.57 Stable at pH 5–11 610

* The values of LogP are octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

The chemical structures of the studied pesticides.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Standards, Reagents, and Materials

The purities of the ten pesticide standards were from 97% to 99%, which were obtained from the Institute of Control of Agrochemicals, Ministry of Agriculture People’s Republic of China. Standard stock solutions (500 mg/L) for mixture of the ten pesticides were prepared in acetonitrile and stored at −20 °C. The work solution was prepared daily. Acetonitrile was of chromatography grade and obtained from Fisher Scientific (Fair Lawn, NJ, USA). Sodium chloride (NaCl) and anhydrous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) were of analytical grade and purchased from Sinopharm Chemical Reagent Co., Ltd. (Beijing, China). Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with average external diameters of 10–20 nm and primary secondary amine (PSA) (40 µm) were acquired from Agilent Technology Co., Ltd. (Beijing, China). Micron calcium was provided by Bai Jia An Bioengineering Co., Ltd. (Liaoning, China). Active oxygen was provided by Guangzhou Zao Gu Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Guangzhou, China). Alkaline electrolyzed water and ozonated water were prepared by the Specialized preparation machine.

Centrifugation was performed in an Anke TDL–40 B centrifuge equipped with a bucket rotor (8 × 100 mL) (Shanghai, China). An ATARGIN VX–III multitube vortexer was used in sample preparation (Beijing, China).

2.2. GC–MS/MS Analysis

The analysis of the pesticides was carried out with the Thermo Scientific TSQ 8000 EVO triple quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled with a Trace 1300 gas chromatograph and a TriPlus AI 1310 autosampler (Thermo Fisher Scientific, San Jose, CA, USA). An Agilent Technologies capillary column (30 m × 250 μm × 0.25 μm film thickness) was used for chromatographic separation. The column temperature was initially set at 40 °C and held for 0.4 min, and then increased to 180 °C at the rate of 30 °C/min, 280 °C at the rate of 10 °C/min, and finally 290 °C at the rate of 20 °C/min and held for 5 min. The temperature of the injector port was 250 °C and the injection volume was 1 μL. The total running time was 25 min. Helium gas was used as the carrier gas, with a constant flow of 1.0 mL/min, and Argon gas was chosen as the collision gas, with the pressure of 1.5 mTorr. The mass spectrometer was operated in electron ionization (EI) mode at 70 eV. The ion source and transfer line temperatures were set at 280 °C and 280 °C, respectively. Table 2 summarizes the condition of mass spectrum [14,15] and the typical retention time for each analyte.

Table 2.

GC-MS/MS condition for the identification and quantitation of eight pesticides.

Pesticides Retention Time(min) Qualifying Ion Pair Quantifying Ion Pair Collision Energy
Chlorpyrifos 9.26 313.09/258 313.09/258 15
197/169 15
Myclobutanil 11.08 179.06/125.1 179.06/125.1 15
179.06/152.1 15
Tebuconazole 12.7 250.12/125.1 250.12/125.1 20
252.13/127.1 20
Bifenthrin 13.29 181.1/166.1 181.1/166.1 15
181.1/141 22
Lambda-cyhalothrin 14.27 181.04/152 181.04/152 23
208.05/181 10
Beta-cypermethrin 16.11 181.03/152 181.03/152 25
163.03/127 10
Esfenvalerate 17.18 167.04/125 167.04/125 10
167.04/139 10
Difenoconazol 17.57 265.03/202 323.04/265 5
323.04/265 15

2.3. LC–MS/MS Analysis

The column of the liquid chromatography was Athena C18-WP (2.1 mm × 50 mm × 3 μm, Agilent, Santa, Clara, CA, USA). The mobile phase was acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid-water solution and the ratio was 4:6. The flow rate was 0.2 mL/min. The column was kept at 30 °C with the injection volume at 10 μL. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (Agilent 6410B, Agilent, -Santa Clara, CA, USA) coupled with a positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) source using multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) was used for analysis. The nitrogen was used as dry gas and atomization gas and the flow rate was 8.0 L/min. The gas temperature was 350 °C and the nebulizer pressure was 35 psi. A summary of the transitions monitored [16], the fragmentor voltage, and the collision energy parameters for acetamiprid and imidacloprid are given in Table 3.

Table 3.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry parameters of two pesticides.

Pesticides Retention Time (min) Precursor Ion Quantization Ion (Collision Energy) Identification Ion (Collision Energy) Fragmentor (V)
Imidacloprid 1.34 256.00 175 (15) 208.9 (15) 120
Acetamiprid 1.40 223.10 126.1 (20) 56.2 (12) 80

2.4. Sample Preparation and Washing

Fresh vegetables of spinach, cucumber, and kumquat were purchased from a supermarket in Beijing, China. The kumquat and cucumber were steeped in 5 L mixed solution (50 mg/L), which was prepared with the ten pesticide formulations for 15 min. The spinach was immersed in 10 L mixed solution (10 mg/L) for 15 min. The contaminated kumquat, cucumber, and spinach were air-dried in a fume hood for 24 h at room temperature.

After that, 100 g of spinach, cucumber, and kumquat was randomly selected to detect the initial deposits. The polluted sample was washed by six washing methods (Tap water, AlEW solution (pH 12.35, pH 10.5), micron calcium water (10 g micron calcium and 500 mL tap water), 0.4 mg/kg ozone water, 2% active oxygen solution, and 2% NaHCO3) for 5, 15, 20, and 30 min, respectively. The washed samples were rinsed by tap water for 30 s. Following this, the treated samples were air-dried at room temperature and then analyzed.

2.5. Extraction and Purification of Pesticides

The cucumber, spinach, and kumquat were homogenized and processed by the blender, respectively. An amount of (10 ± 0.05 g) homogenized samples was weighed into a 50 mL centrifuge tube, and 10 mL acetonitrile was added. The resulting solution was shaken by the vortex for 5 min. After that, 1 g of sodium chloride and 4 g of anhydrous Magnesium Sulfate were added. The tube was cooled to room temperature and was then shaken for 5 min before centrifugation for 5 min at 3800 rpm. An aliquot of 1 mL supernatant of kumquat was transferred to a 2 mL centrifuge tube containing 5 mg MWCNTs and 30 mg PSA mixed with 150 mg anhydrous MgSO4 (The sorbent of spinach was 7.5 mg MWCNTs mixed with 150 mg anhydrous MgSO4 and the cucumber was 5 mg MWCNTs mixed with 150 mg anhydrous MgSO4). Then, the 2 mL tube was shaken for 1 min and centrifuged for 2 min at 4000 rpm. Finally, the supernatant was filtered through a 0.22 μm membrane into an autosampler vial for analysis.

2.6. Methods Validation

The validation was performed on each matrix, and the method was validated through linearity, the matrix effect, trueness and precision, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). Linearity of the method was studied at five concentrations in the range of 10–1000 μg/kg for 10 pesticides by matrix-matched calibration solutions. Good linearity was found for the pesticides with coefficients of determination (R2) better than 0.990 [14]. LOQs for 10 pesticides were the lowest spike level of the method’s validation and the LOQs were regarded as LODs in this respect [17]. All data are shown in Table 4.

Table 4.

Matrix effects (MEs), calibration curve coefficients (R2), and LOQs (μg/kg) for ten pesticides in kumquat, cucumber, and spinach (n = 5).

Pesticides Kumquat Cucumber Spinach
ME R 2 LOQ ME R 2 LOQ ME R 2 LOQ
Chlorpyrifos 1.5 0.9999 10 1.5 1.0000 10 1.5 0.9999 10
Myclobutanil 1.5 0.9992 10 1.5 0.9999 10 1.7 0.9998 10
Tebuconazole 2.3 0.9999 10 2.1 1.0000 10 2.6 1.0000 10
Bifenthrin 1.4 0.9995 10 1.4 1.0000 10 1.6 1.0000 10
Lambda-cyhalothrin 1.9 0.9995 10 2.2 0.9999 10 3.8 0.9998 10
Beta-cypermethrin 2 0.9999 10 2.2 0.9995 10 4.1 0.9998 10
Esfenvalerate 2.9 0.9994 10 2.2 0.9999 10 4.9 1.0000 10
Difenoconazole 2.5 0.9998 10 2.3 0.9999 10 4.7 0.996 10
Acetamiprid 0.7 0.9998 10 0.7 1.0000 10 0.5 0.9998 10
Imidacloprid 0.7 0.9998 10 0.8 0.9999 10 0.6 0.9999 10

The accuracy was evaluated by recovery and the precision was evaluated by the relative standard deviation (RSD). This study was performed at three concentration levels (10, 100, and 500 μg/kg) by spiking standard pesticides for a blank sample. The results are shown in Table 5. The average recoveries of the10 pesticides were in the range of 78 to 118% and the RSDs were <10%.

Table 5.

Average recoveries and relative standard deviations (RSDs) at three spiked levels in kumquat, cucumber, and spinach (n = 5).

Pesticides Average Recovery (%) (RSD (%))
Kumquat (μg/kg) Cucumber (μg/kg) Spinach (μg/kg)
10 100 500 10 100 500 10 100 500
Chlorpyrifos 94 (4) 88 (9) 92 (4) 99 (2) 91 (4) 99 (2) 93 (8) 94 (4) 91 (1)
Myclobutanil 107 (1) 93 (8) 94 (3) 98 (2) 109 (5) 109 (3) 87 (7) 98 (3) 95 (2)
Tebuconazole 97 (1) 85 (6) 89 (2) 97 (2) 96 (6) 101 (2) 84 (6) 91 (2) 89 (1)
Bifenthrin 100 (2) 93 (6) 94 (5) 94 (1) 101 (4) 102 (3) 91 (5) 96 (2) 92 (1)
Lambda-cyhalothrin 94 (5) 89 (5) 91 (4) 95 (3) 107 (4) 105 (4) 85 (5) 83 (2) 84 (4)
Beta-cypermethrin 91 (5) 86 (4) 84 (1) 103 (6) 104 (6) 107 (1) 94 (2) 99 (2) 79 (4)
Esfenvalerate 94 (3) 82 (3) 84 (4) 118 (2) 107 (5) 110 (3) 92 (5) 96 (4) 78 (4)
Difenoconazole 97 (3) 78 (3) 81 (2) 106 (4) 97 (1) 107 (1) 90 (5) 98 (5) 94 (1)
Acetamiprid 86 (6) 100 (1) 97 (2) 90 (6) 100 (2) 104 (1) 98 (10) 97 (5) 86 (3)
Imidacloprid 91 (3) 102 (3) 98 (1) 91 (7) 102 (1) 104 (1) 103 (9) 104 (7) 91 (3)

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Establishment of Soaking Model

Taking kumquat as the research object, three models of smearing, soaking, and simulating the field application resulted in eight pesticides being attached to the kumquat. The treatment of the washing matrix with prepared solution (5 g micron calcium and 500 mL tap water) for 15 min was conducted to compare the removal efficiency of eight pesticides, as can be seen in Figure 2. Three models caused a 73–99%, 27–65%, and 23–77% loss of the eight pesticides, respectively. The results of soaking and simulating the field application were close to each other. Thus, the model of soaking was chosen to carry out the next experiment.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Removal efficiency of eight pesticides in kumquat treated with smearing, soaking, or simulating the field application by washing with 5 g micron calcium for 15min (n = 3).

Smearing: The pesticide was divided into two groups. The mixture of pesticide formulations (200 mg/L) was mixed with acetone. A syringe was used to remove a mixed solution of 1 mL from the surface of the kumquat. A sample of kumquat (of about 100 g) was determined, and was placed for an hour at room temperature.

Soaking: The kumquat was steeped in 2 L mixed solution (50 mg/L) for 15 min, which was prepared with the eight pesticide formulations. A sample of kumquat (of about 100 g) was determined, and was placed at room temperature for 24 h.

Simulating the field application: The eight pesticides were divided into two groups. According to the highest recommended dosage, two mixed solutions (500 mL) were configured, with four pesticide formulations for each. Then, the mixed solution was sprayed on a group of trees. A group consisted of two kumquat trees. After three days, approximately 200 g kumquat was picked from each group (100 g was cleaned, 100 g was control), and no spray was used in the blank control.

3.2. Effect of Washing Treatments for Pesticide Removal in Kumquat

Tap water and alkaline solution are relatively common washing solutions in our daily lives. The alkaline electrolyzed water (AlEW) is of high pH value and low oxidation reduction potentials, which is gradually being valued [11,18,19,20,21]. Ozone and active oxygen have a strong oxidation capability, which can destroy the unsaturated bonds and oxidize functional groups to decompose most organic compounds, and they do not produce secondary pollutants [22,23]. In this study, the effects of washing by tap water, 2% sodium bicarbonate solution, alkaline electrolyzed water, Micron calcium solution, ozone water (0.4 mg/kg), and 2% active oxygen solution for 5, 15, 20, and 30 min were investigated, and the washing results for kumquat are shown in Table 6. Washing with tap water, as well as detergent solutions, had an effect in reducing pesticide residue in kumquat. The removal of 10 pesticides in kumquat is 20–40% by tap water washing, and the effects of tap water for acetamiprid, imidacloprid, myclobutanil, and tebuconazole were superior to others, which is related to the O/W partition coefficient of pesticides.

Table 6.

Effect of washing treatments for pesticide removal in kumquat (n = 3).

Pesticide Treatment Treatment Time (min)
5 15 20 30
Concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%) Concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%) Concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%) Concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%)
Chlorpyrifos Initial deposit 0.48 ± 0.043
Tap water 0.45 ± 0.004 7 0.36 ± 0.015 24 0.35 ± 0.005 28 0.41 ± 0.007 14
2% NaHCO3 0.46 ± 0.006 4 0.44 ± 0.010 9 0.43 ± 0.006 11 0.39 ± 0.013 18
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.42 ± 0.007 12 0.38 ± 0.0035 21 0.40 ± 0.008 17 0.45 ± 0.012 6
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.31 ± 0.035 35 0.33 ± 0.012 31 0.33 ± 0.013 31 0.34 ± 0.007 29
Ozone solution (0.4 mg/L) 0.43 ± 0.022 10 0.43 ± 0.008 10 0.40 ± 0.010 16 0.36 ± 0.022 24
Micron calcium solution 0.39 ± 0.021 18 0.30 ± 0.028 37 0.29 ± 0.025 40 0.24 ± 0.038 51
2% Active oxygen solution 0.40 ± 0.014 17 0.32 ± 0.025 33 0.37 ± 0.007 22 0.33 ± 0.018 32
Myclobutanil Initial deposit 1.37 ± 0.023
Tap water 0.97 ± 0.016 29 0.93 ± 0.019 32 0.92 ± 0.051 33 0.90 ± 0.011 34
2% NaHCO3 1.14 ± 0.036 17 0.89 ± 0.029 35 0.77 ± 0.082 44 0.77 ± 0.029 44
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.07 ± 0.040 22 0.81 ± 0.062 41 0.89 ± 0.049 35 1.12 ± 0.034 18
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.59 ± 0.077 57 0.58 ± 0.066 58 0.56 ± 0.053 59 0.70 ± 0.063 49
Ozone solution (0.4 mg/L) 0.84 ± 0.051 39 0.97 ± 0.061 29 0.82 ± 0.019 40 0.69 ± 0.034 50
Micron calcium solution 1.00 ± 0.060 27 0.64 ± 0.062 53 0.64 ± 0.084 53 0.49 ± 0.054 64
2% Active oxygen solution 0.88 ± 0.065 36 0.53 ± 0.061 61 0.29 ± 0.071 79 0.48 ± 0.032 65
Tebuconazole Initial deposit 1.01 ± 0.068
Tap water 0.71 ± 0.046 30 0.75 ± 0.007 26 0.70 ± 0.017 31 0.69 ± 0.020 32
2% NaHCO3 0.89 ± 0.020 12 0.53 ± 0.040 48 0.45 ± 0.029 55 0.43 ± 0.030 57
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.76 ± 0.041 25 0.58 ± 0.019 43 0.63 ± 0.031 38 0.84 ± 0.006 17
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.44 ± 0.055 56 0.42 ± 0.048 58 0.41 ± 0.042 59 0.52 ± 0.051 49
Ozone solution (0.4 mg/L) 0.54 ± 0.062 47 0.70 ± 0.040 31 0.53 ± 0.031 48 0.37 ± 0.042 63
Micron calcium solution 0.73 ± 0.036 28 0.48 ± 0.055 52 0.46 ± 0.062 54 0.37 ± 0.072 63
2% Active oxygen solution 0.66 ± 0.070 35 0.21 ± 0.062 79 0.66 ± 0.041 35 0.31 ± 0.041 69
Bifenthrin Initial deposit 0.43 ± 0.064
Tap water 0.35 ± 0.002 18 0.34 ± 0.013 21 0.32 ± 0.016 26 0.31 ± 0.015 27
2% NaHCO3 0.30 ± 0.007 31 0.24 ± 0.020 45 0.22 ± 0.026 49 0.22 ± 0.006 49
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.31 ± 0.009 27 0.34 ± 0.017 22 0.27 ± 0.019 38 0.34 ± 0.005 20
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.23 ± 0.032 46 0.23 ± 0.020 46 0.23 ± 0.017 46 0.25 ± 0.011 43
Ozone solution (0.4 mg/L) 0.26 ± 0.016 40 0.28 ± 0.002 36 0.29 ± 0.036 33 0.22 ± 0.019 50
Micron calcium solution 0.32 ± 0.009 25 0.25 ± 0.015 42 0.22 ± 0.043 48 0.18 ± 0.020 59
2% Active oxygen solution 0.25 ± 0.026 43 0.15 ± 0.028 65 0.23 ± 0.009 46 0.15 ± 0.017 64
Lambda-cyhalothrin Initial deposit 0.48 ± 0.020
Tap water 0.38 ± 0.016 21 0.37 ± 0.007 22 0.34 ± 0.013 30 0.34 ± 0.009 30
2% NaHCO3 0.25 ± 0.014 48 0.22 ± 0.026 55 0.20 ± 0.028 59 0.22 ± 0.002 55
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.36 ± 0.025 26 0.29 ± 0.025 39 0.36 ± 0.027 25 0.38 ± 0.003 20
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.24 ± 0.019 50 0.25 ± 0.045 48 0.20 ± 0.027 59 0.24 ± 0.062 49
Ozone solution (0.4 mg/L) 0.26 ± 0.023 46 0.24 ± 0.017 50 0.30 ± 0.028 38 0.19 ± 0.029 61
Micron calcium solution 0.33 ± 0.014 31 0.24 ± 0.016 50 0.22 ± 0.048 54 0.16 ± 0.027 67
2% Active oxygen solution 0.25 ± 0.032 48 0.12 ± 0.025 74 0.25 ± 0.003 48 0.12 ± 0.016 74
Beta-cypermethrin Initial deposit 0.23 ± 0.051
Tap water 0.16 ± 0.005 30 0.19 ± 0.002 19 0.15 ± 0.008 35 0.15 ± 0.005 34
2% NaHCO3 0.17 ± 0.016 28 0.11 ± 0.010 52 0.12 ± 0.012 47 0.11 ± 0.001 51
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.16 ± 0.006 30 0.15 ± 0.004 33 0.15 ± 0.010 33 0.18 ± 0.021 21
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.11 ± 0.017 54 0.12 ± 0.028 47 0.10 ± 0.012 56 0.12 ± 0.015 46
Ozone solution (0.4 mg/L) 0.17 ± 0.003 28 0.14 ± 0.005 37 0.18 ± 0.015 22 0.12 ± 0.009 49
Micron calcium solution 0.14 ± 0.005 41 0.10 ± 0.009 57 0.09 ± 0.020 61 0.07 ± 0.015 71
2% Active oxygen solution 0.16 ± 0.018 31 0.08 ± 0.014 67 0.15 ± 0.004 34 0.07 ± 0.011 68
Esfenvalerate Initial deposit 3.02 ± 0.076
Tap water 2.45 ± 0.018 19 2.39 ± 0.070 21 2.36 ± 0.077 22 2.33 ± 0.052 23
2% NaHCO3 2.39 ± 0.039 21 2.05 ± 0.049 32 1.81 ± 0.044 40 1.75 ± 0.066 42
AlEW (pH 10.50) 2.39 ± 0.012 21 2.30 ± 0.077 24 1.90 ± 0.069 37 2.48 ± 0.080 18
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.72 ± 0.009 43 1.45 ± 0.007 52 1.51 ± 0.010 50 1.84 ± 0.008 39
Ozone solution (0.4 mg/L) 1.99 ± 0.048 34 2.23 ± 0.026 26 1.96 ± 0.012 35 1.69 ± 0.002 44
Micron calcium solution 2.27 ± 0.073 25 1.93 ± 0.164 36 1.66 ± 0.072 45 1.39 ± 0.038 54
2% Active oxygen solution 1.99 ± 0.064 34 1.42 ± 0.073 53 1.93 ± 0.014 36 1.45 ± 0.024 52
Difenoconazole Initial deposit 1.13 ± 0.063
Tap water 0.74 ± 0.007 34 0.78 ± 0.042 31 0.70 ± 0.027 38 0.74 ± 0.034 34
2% NaHCO3 0.95 ± 0.057 16 0.65 ± 0.049 42 0.63 ± 0.071 44 0.59 ± 0.039 48
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.82 ± 0.030 27 0.68 ± 0.054 40 0.83 ± 0.026 26 0.88 ± 0.015 22
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.44 ± 0.065 61 0.47 ± 0.043 58 0.45 ± 0.049 60 0.62 ± 0.012 45
Ozone solution (0.4 mg/L) 0.74 ± 0.059 34 0.83 ± 0.056 26 0.73 ± 0.069 35 0.63 ± 0.070 44
Micron calcium solution 0.71 ± 0.028 37 0.48 ± 0.064 57 0.53 ± 0.064 53 0.41 ± 0.041 64
2% Active oxygen solution 0.70 ± 0.056 38 0.41 ± 0.054 64 0.64 ± 0.061 43 0.47 ± 0.030 58
Acetamiprid Initial deposit 0.33 ± 0.058
Tap water 0.24 ± 0.013 26 0.25 ± 0.013 22 0.21 ± 0.011 34 0.26 ± 0.006 21
2% NaHCO3 0.26 ± 0.020 21 0.23 ± 0.011 30 0.19 ± 0.002 42 0.23 ± 0.015 28
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.30 ± 0.006 9 0.20 ± 0.005 37 0.20 ± 0.012 37 0.26 ± 0.021 21
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.18 ± 0.022 46 0.23 ± 0.015 30 0.17 ± 0.011 49 0.20 ± 0.021 38
Ozone solution (0.4 mg/L) 0.25 ± 0.031 22 0.21 ± 0.013 36 0.26 ± 0.020 19 0.19 ± 0.009 42
Micron calcium solution 0.21 ± 0.008 36 0.18 ± 0.012 46 0.16 ± 0.003 51 0.14 ± 0.011 56
2% Active oxygen solution 0.23 ± 0.017 30 0.13 ± 0.016 59 0.23 ± 0.027 30 0.15 ± 0.016 53
Imidacloprid Initial deposit 0.28 ± 0.032
Tap water 0.18 ± 0.012 33 0.20 ± 0.011 27 0.17 ± 0.006 39 0.20 ± 0.014 27
2% NaHCO3 0.18 ± 0.016 35 0.16 ± 0.012 42 0.13 ± 0.002 52 0.17 ± 0.008 38
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.23 ± 0.010 16 0.18 ± 0.011 35 0.16 ± 0.008 42 0.19 ± 0.000 32
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.14 ± 0.019 51 0.18 ± 0.014 35 0.13 ± 0.009 54 0.15 ± 0.020 44
Ozone solution (0.4 mg/L) 0.18 ± 0.027 33 0.15 ± 0.009 45 0.19 ± 0.018 30 0.18 ± 0.008 33
Micron calcium solution 0.16 ± 0.008 43 0.13 ± 0.011 52 0.12 ± 0.002 57 0.10 ± 0.008 62
2% Active oxygen solution 0.17 ± 0.016 40 0.09 ± 0.010 67 0.17 ± 0.019 40 0.10 ± 0.015 62

Among these washing processing methods, 2% sodium bicarbonate solution and ozone water caused 20–40% more loss of the 10 pesticides than tap water. The removal effect of the AlEW, whose pH value was 12.35, was better than the one whose pH was 10.50. Micron calcium solution and 2% active oxygen solution were the most effective ways for the elimination of pesticide residues in kumquat. The greatest loss of chlorpyrifos, beta-cypermethrin, and esfenvalerate was 51%, 71%, and 54%, respectively, which was caused by micron calcium solution. The 2% active oxygen solution caused the lowest residual amounts of myclobutanil, tebuconazole, bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, difenoconazole, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid, which were reduced by 79%, 79%, 65%, 74%, 64%, 59%, and 67%, respectively. The residues of pyrethroid pesticides were the lowest and there was no significant difference on pesticide residue after 20 min washing treatment. Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables showed a gradual reduction when increasing the treatment time, which is in agreement with Y. Liang [4] and Zhi-Yong Zhang [24].

3.3. Effect of Washing Treatments for Pesticide Removal in Cucumber

The results of the washing solution for removing pesticide residue in cucumber are presented in Table 7. Washing with tap water was a little effective in reducing pesticides in cucumber, and the removal rates of 10 pesticides were less than 35%. The removal effects of AlEW (pH 10.5) and ozone water were not obvious, unlike the pesticides in cucumber, which were effectively removed by washing with AlEW (pH 12.35), micron calcium, and active oxygen, and the removal rate of pyrethroid pesticides was obviously higher than others. Washing with 2% active oxygen solution for 20 min caused a 49%, 41%, 40%, 57%, 58%, 51%, 63%, 53%, 49%, and 50% loss in chlorpyrifos, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, beta-cypermethrin, esfenvalerate, difenoconazole, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid, respectively. Washing with micron calcium solution for 20 min caused a greater loss of pesticides in cucumber, and the removal efficiency was 50%, 42%, 47%, 67%, 83%, 85% ,86%, 67%, 37%, and 35%, respectively.

Table 7.

Effect of washing treatments for pesticide removal in cucumber (n = 3).

Pesticide Treatment Treatment Time (min)
5 15 20 30
Concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%) Concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%) Concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%) Concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%)
Chlorpyrifos Initial deposit 0.99 ± 0.034
Tap water 0.75 ± 0.040 24 0.83 ± 0.017 16 0.78 ± 0.015 21 0.92 ± 0.017 7
2% NaHCO3 0.82 ± 0.042 17 0.62 ± 0.033 37 0.53 ± 0.035 46 0.56 ± 0.042 43
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.79 ± 0.025 20 0.74 ± 0.058 25 0.75 ± 0.038 24 0.75 ± 0.036 24
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.87 ± 0.006 12 0.82 ± 0.025 17 0.63 ± 0.021 36 0.72 ± 0.025 27
Ozone solution 0.75 ± 0.006 24 0.83 ± 0.017 16 0.78 ± 0.045 21 0.82 ± 0.041 17
Micron calcium solution 0.50 ± 0.034 49 0.64 ± 0.033 35 0.50 ± 0.031 50 0.49 ± 0.021 51
2% Active oxygen solution 0.82 ± 0.010 17 0.61 ± 0.048 38 0.50 ± 0.064 49 0.58 ± 0.031 41
Myclobutanil Initial deposit 2.58 ± 0.089
Tap water 2.27 ± 0.052 12 2.27 ± 0.065 12 1.91 ± 0.039 26 1.78 ± 0.016 31
2% NaHCO3 2.30 ± 0.086 11 1.78 ± 0.081 31 1.63 ± 0.056 37 2.06 ± 0.071 20
AlEW (pH 10.50) 2.32 ± 0.047 10 2.27 ± 0.013 12 2.22 ± 0.009 14 2.30 ± 0.055 11
AlEW (pH 12.35) 2.22 ± 0.052 14 2.14 ± 0.039 17 1.91 ± 0.065 26 2.01 ± 0.081 22
Ozone solution 2.27 ± 0.059 12 2.27 ± 0.004 12 1.91 ± 0.067 26 1.78 ± 0.068 31
Micron calcium solution 1.70 ± 0.038 34 2.27 ± 0.078 12 1.50 ± 0.026 42 1.70 ± 0.009 34
2% Active oxygen solution 2.24 ± 0.054 13 1.78 ± 0.052 31 1.52 ± 0.046 41 1.81 ± 0.024 30
Tebuconazole Initial deposit 2.22 ± 0.86
Tap water 1.98 ± 0.059 11 1.95 ± 0.063 12 1.64 ± 0.069 26 1.58 ± 0.031 29
2% NaHCO3 1.95 ± 0.043 12 1.53 ± 0.068 31 1.35 ± 0.057 39 1.69 ± 0.090 24
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.89 ± 0.029 15 1.91 ± 0.059 14 1.84 ± 0.050 17 1.93 ± 0.056 13
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.95 ± 0.010 12 1.98 ± 0.063 11 1.60 ± 0.074 28 1.60 ± 0.069 28
Ozone solution 1.98 ± 0.062 11 1.95 ± 0.068 12 1.64 ± 0.012 26 1.58 ± 0.019 29
Micron calcium solution 1.44 ± 0.071 35 1.84 ± 0.049 17 1.18 ± 0.046 47 1.40 ± 0.038 37
2% Active oxygen solution 1.95 ± 0.045 12 1.53 ± 0.070 31 1.33 ± 0.061 40 1.55 ± 0.013 30
Bifenthrin Initial deposit 0.58 ± 0.044
Tap water 0.49 ± 0.059 15 0.48 ± 0.012 18 0.45 ± 0.018 22 0.47 ± 0.035 19
2% NaHCO3 0.46 ± 0.023 21 0.28 ± 0.003 51 0.30 ± 0.032 49 0.45 ± 0.025 22
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.31 ± 0.009 47 0.32 ± 0.023 45 0.26 ± 0.021 56 0.27 ± 0.016 53
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.24 ± 0.009 58 0.30 ± 0.016 48 0.20 ± 0.016 66 0.22 ± 0.023 62
Ozone solution 0.41 ± 0.027 30 0.48 ± 0.025 18 0.30 ± 0.011 49 0.48 ± 0.030 17
Micron calcium solution 0.21 ± 0.020 64 0.40 ± 0.006 31 0.19 ± 0.030 67 0.33 ± 0.010 43
2% Active oxygen solution 0.45 ± 0.009 22 0.34 ± 0.026 42 0.25 ± 0.012 57 0.40 ± 0.030 31
Lambda-Cyhalothrin Initial deposit 0.64 ± 0.013
Tap water 0.56 ± 0.058 13 0.55 ± 0.007 14 0.53 ± 0.006 17 0.51 ± 0.030 21
2% NaHCO3 0.33 ± 0.042 48 0.30 ± 0.003 53 0.30 ± 0.032 53 0.33 ± 0.036 48
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.44 ± 0.011 32 0.41 ± 0.037 36 0.32 ± 0.023 50 0.36 ± 0.023 43
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.41 ± 0.027 36 0.52 ± 0.035 19 0.31 ± 0.005 51 0.36 ± 0.015 43
Ozone solution 0.37 ± 0.021 42 0.44 ± 0.025 31 0.31 ± 0.010 52 0.51 ± 0.031 21
Micron calcium solution 0.15 ± 0.018 77 0.20 ± 0.014 68 0.11 ± 0.022 83 0.13 ± 0.011 79
2% Active oxygen solution 0.5 ± 0.010 13 0.37 ± 0.025 42 0.27 ± 0.009 58 0.47 ± 0.037 26
Beta-cypermethrin Initial deposit 0.59 ± 0.025
Tap water 0.54 ± 0.029 9 0.48 ± 0.016 19 0.45 ± 0.031 24 0.48 ± 0.032 18
2% NaHCO3 0.55 ± 0.012 7 0.35 ± 0.023 40 0.28 ± 0.008 53 0.39 ± 0.021 34
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.39 ± 0.025 34 0.35 ± 0.030 40 0.31 ± 0.017 48 0.31 ± 0.008 48
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.38 ± 0.020 36 0.41 ± 0.009 31 0.27 ± 0.015 54 0.30 ± 0.007 49
Ozone solution 0.35 ± 0.003 40 0.40 ± 0.029 33 0.32 ± 0.011 46 0.46 ± 0.016 22
Micron calcium solution 0.12 ± 0.017 80 0.15 ± 0.019 74 0.09 ± 0.017 85 0.09 ± 0.013 85
2% Active oxygen solution 0.48 ± 0.041 19 0.30 ± 0.005 49 0.29 ± 0.033 51 0.26 ± 0.026 56
Esfenvalerate Initial deposit 2.58 ± 0.071
Tap water 2.14 ± 0.068 17 2.09 ± 0.063 19 2.12 ± 0.041 18 2.17 ± 0.065 16
2% NaHCO3 1.86 ± 0.039 28 1.08 ± 0.025 58 1.21 ± 0.073 53 2.24 ± 0.043 13
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.44 ± 0.024 44 1.44 ± 0.079 44 1.21 ± 0.014 53 1.29 ± 0.032 50
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.11 ± 0.048 57 1.32 ± 0.026 49 0.77 ± 0.064 70 0.98 ± 0.062 62
Ozone solution 2.14 ± 0.068 17 1.96 ± 0.021 24 1.60 ± 0.062 38 1.57 ± 0.069 39
Micron calcium solution 0.41 ± 0.060 84 1.26 ± 0.016 51 0.36 ± 0.078 86 0.70 ± 0.039 73
2% Active oxygen solution 2.09 ± 0.015 19 1.29 ± 0.076 50 0.95 ± 0.028 63 1.63 ± 0.002 37
Difenoconazole Initial deposit 1.35 ± 0.064
Tap water 1.03 ± 0.035 24 1.13 ± 0.043 16 0.90 ± 0.034 33 1.00 ± 0.010 26
2% NaHCO3 1.08 ± 0.073 20 0.76 ± 0.034 44 0.68 ± 0.045 50 0.86 ± 0.078 36
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.00 ± 0.030 26 1.08 ± 0.039 20 0.80 ± 0.049 41 0.93 ± 0.051 31
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.97 ± 0.036 28 0.90 ± 0.000 33 0.88 ± 0.059 35 0.80 ± 0.054 41
Ozone solution 1.03 ± 0.009 24 1.13 ± 0.016 16 0.90 ± 0.058 33 1.00 ± 0.019 26
Micron calcium solution 0.50 ± 0.060 63 0.70 ± 0.026 48 0.45 ± 0.030 67 0.47 ± 0.019 65
2% Active oxygen solution 1.09 ± 0.068 19 0.74 ± 0.050 45 0.63 ± 0.047 53 0.74 ± 0.045 45
Acetamiprid Initial deposit 1.65 ± 0.053
Tap water 1.45 ± 0.071 12 1.37 ± 0.072 17 1.16 ± 0.065 30 1.34 ± 0.051 19
2% NaHCO3 1.24 ± 0.007 25 1.12 ± 0.061 32 0.99 ± 0.017 40 1.30 ± 0.070 21
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.52 ± 0.008 8 1.40 ± 0.037 15 1.40 ± 0.010 15 1.47 ± 0.031 11
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.50 ± 0.032 9 1.37 ± 0.013 17 1.42 ± 0.036 14 1.45 ± 0.036 12
Ozone solution 1.45 ± 0.017 12 1.37 ± 0.021 17 1.16 ± 0.031 30 1.34 ± 0.007 19
Micron calcium solution 1.19 ± 0.020 28 1.44 ± 0.076 13 1.04 ± 0.014 37 1.22 ± 0.027 26
2% Active oxygen solution 1.30 ± 0.061 21 0.94 ± 0.044 43 0.84 ± 0.003 49 0.87 ± 0.004 47
Imidacloprid Initial deposit 1.82 ± 0.061
Tap water 1.66 ± 0.062 9 1.57 ± 0.055 14 1.35 ± 0.048 26 1.49 ± 0.009 18
2% NaHCO3 1.35 ± 0.063 26 1.18 ± 0.044 35 1.07 ± 0.021 41 1.46 ± 0.050 20
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.66 ± 0.010 9 1.51 ± 0.016 17 1.57 ± 0.009 14 1.60 ± 0.018 12
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.40 ± 0.059 23 1.47 ± 0.022 19 1.20 ± 0.036 34 1.55 ± 0.007 15
Ozone solution 1.66 ± 0.031 9 1.57 ± 0.029 14 1.35 ± 0.038 26 1.49 ± 0.009 18
Micron calcium solution 1.38 ± 0.024 24 1.55 ± 0.077 15 1.18 ± 0.037 35 1.33 ± 0.050 27
2% Active oxygen solution 1.49 ± 0.063 18 1.00 ± 0.036 45 0.91 ± 0.009 50 0.95 ± 0.016 48

3.4. Effect of Washing Treatments for Pesticide Removal in Spinach

The effect of washing treatments for pesticide removal in spinach are summarized in Table 8. It was difficult to remove pesticides from spinach by tap water, and the order of the removal effects of 10 pesticides in spinach by washing with detergent solution was as follows: ozone water and active oxygen solution > micron calcium solution >AlEW (pH 12.35) and sodium bicarbonate solution > AlEW (pH 10.50) > tap water. These washing methods are two to four times as effective as tap water. The residual amounts of chlorpyrifos, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, beta-cypermethrin, esfenvalerate, difenoconazole, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid in spinach, which was washed with ozone water for 30 min, were reduced by 53%, 72%, 73%, 62%, 67%, 65%, 78%, 68%, 64%, and 63%, respectively. After being washed with active oxygen solution for 5 min, the removal efficiency of chlorpyrifos, myclobutanil, tebuconazole, bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, beta-cypermethrin, esfenvalerate, difenoconazole, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid in spinach was 52%, 63%, 65%, 55%, 70%, 71%, 81%, 62%, 50%, and 48%, respectively. According to the experimental result, the pesticides in spinach were easier to remove by oxidizing washing solution.

Table 8.

Effect of washing treatments for pesticide removal in spinach (n = 3).

Pesticide Treatment Treatment Time (min)
5 15 20 30
Average concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%) Average concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%) Average concentration (mg/kg) Removal (%) Average concentration(mg/kg) Removal (%)
Chlorpyrifos Initial deposit 1.13 ± 0.047
Tap water 1.08 ± 0.023 4 1.04 ± 0.046 8 1.03 ± 0.032 9 0.94 ± 0.006 17
2% NaHCO3 0.92 ± 0.064 19 0.71 ± 0.011 37 0.78 ± 0.043 31 0.86 ± 0.049 24
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.92 ± 0.019 19 0.85 ± 0.040 25 0.80 ± 0.035 29 0.79 ± 0.044 30
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.94 ± 0.046 17 0.78 ± 0.025 31 0.84 ± 0.068 26 0.89 ± 0.067 21
Ozone solution 0.94 ± 0.041 17 0.57 ± 0.057 50 0.73 ± 0.041 35 0.53 ± 0.038 53
Micron calcium 0.92 ± 0.039 19 0.76 ± 0.069 33 0.76 ± 0.007 33 0.67 ± 0.005 41
2% Active oxygen 0.54 ± 0.064 52 0.60 ± 0.095 47 0.72 ± 0.083 36 0.58 ± 0.072 49
Myclobutanil Initial deposit 2.12 ± 0.052
Tap water 1.82 ± 0.082 14 1.55 ± 0.044 27 1.51 ± 0.056 29 1.23 ± 0.026 42
2% NaHCO3 1.63 ± 0.060 23 1.06 ± 0.019 50 1.27 ± 0.045 40 1.44 ± 0.035 32
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.51 ± 0.019 29 1.51 ± 0.031 29 1.42 ± 0.039 33 1.59 ± 0.014 25
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.74 ± 0.059 18 1.27 ± 0.017 40 1.29 ± 0.027 39 1.46 ± 0.062 31
Ozone solution 1.78 ± 0.007 16 0.76 ± 0.080 64 1.06 ± 0.075 50 0.59 ± 0.050 72
Micron calcium 1.40 ± 0.031 34 1.06 ± 0.029 50 1.08 ± 0.014 49 0.89 ± 0.006 58
2% Active oxygen 0.78 ± 0.018 63 0.81 ± 0.014 62 1.31 ± 0.026 38 0.91 ± 0.011 57
Tebuconazole Initial deposit 1.61 ± 0.078
Tap water 1.38 ± 0.063 14 1.18 ± 0.020 27 1.16 ± 0.045 28 0.95 ± 0.037 41
2% NaHCO3 1.21 ± 0.039 25 0.82 ± 0.022 49 0.93 ± 0.063 42 1.08 ± 0.055 33
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.09 ± 0.043 32 1.08 ± 0.054 33 1.05 ± 0.041 35 1.14 ± 0.027 29
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.30 ± 0.017 19 0.97 ± 0.008 40 0.97 ± 0.072 40 1.08 ± 0.015 33
Ozone solution 1.21 ± 0.039 25 0.56 ± 0.057 65 0.79 ± 0.038 51 0.43 ± 0.033 73
Micron calcium 1.05 ± 0.032 35 0.77 ± 0.056 52 0.79 ± 0.004 51 0.66 ± 0.023 59
2% Active oxygen 0.56 ± 0.065 65 0.61 ± 0.087 62 1.00 ± 0.025 38 0.64 ± 0.010 60
Bifenthrin Initial deposit 1.12 ± 0.061
Tap water 1.08 ± 0.006 4 0.81 ± 0.032 28 0.82 ± 0.018 27 0.73 ± 0.011 35
2% NaHCO3 0.92 ± 0.034 18 0.68 ± 0.007 39 0.83 ± 0.054 26 0.88 ± 0.031 21
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.77 ± 0.030 31 0.78 ± 0.079 30 0.82 ± 0.063 27 0.86 ± 0.032 23
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.80 ± 0.008 29 0.72 ± 0.025 36 0.75 ± 0.040 33 0.87 ± 0.071 22
Ozone solution 0.96 ± 0.040 14 0.47 ± 0.032 58 0.74 ± 0.031 34 0.43 ± 0.017 62
Micron calcium 0.84 ± 0.039 25 0.68 ± 0.029 39 0.64 ± 0.014 43 0.58 ± 0.018 48
2% Active oxygen 0.50 ± 0.053 55 0.47 ± 0.070 58 0.73 ± 0.076 35 0.48 ± 0.052 57
Lambda-Cyhalothrin Initial deposit 0.86 ± 0.040
Tap water 0.82 ± 0.005 5 0.73 ± 0.039 15 0.76 ± 0.042 12 0.76 ± 0.054 12
2% NaHCO3 0.46 ± 0.052 47 0.29 ± 0.014 66 0.34 ± 0.028 61 0.36 ± 0.014 58
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.62 ± 0.007 28 0.58 ± 0.043 33 0.44 ± 0.055 49 0.49 ± 0.038 43
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.52 ± 0.043 39 0.48 ± 0.022 44 0.45 ± 0.032 48 0.49 ± 0.062 43
Ozone solution 0.41 ± 0.041 52 0.28 ± 0.019 68 0.39 ± 0.029 55 0.28 ± 0.009 67
Micron calcium 0.47 ± 0.067 45 0.45 ± 0.071 48 0.48 ± 0.011 44 0.49 ± 0.043 43
2% Active oxygen 0.26 ± 0.046 70 0.27 ± 0.018 69 0.48 ± 0.033 44 0.25 ± 0.045 71
Beta-cypermethrin Initial deposit 0.66 ± 0.013
Tap water 0.61 ± 0.017 7 0.54 ± 0.023 18 0.57 ± 0.039 13 0.61 ± 0.009 8
2% NaHCO3 0.32 ± 0.051 51 0.22 ± 0.021 66 0.24 ± 0.021 63 0.27 ± 0.24 59
AlEW (pH 10.50) 0.55 ± 0.037 17 0.48 ± 0.023 27 0.34 ± 0.026 48 0.41 ± 0.018 38
AlEW (pH 12.35) 0.35 ± 0.064 47 0.32 ± 0.025 52 0.28 ± 0.028 57 0.33 ± 0.053 50
Ozone solution 0.36 ± 0.032 45 0.22 ± 0.038 67 0.29 ± 0.076 56 0.23 ± 0.017 65
Micron calcium 0.26 ± 0.053 61 0.26 ± 0.059 61 0.29 ± 0.008 56 0.31 ± 0.040 53
2% Active oxygen 0.19 ± 0.038 71 0.20 ± 0.031 69 0.34 ± 0.027 48 0.19 ± 0.045 71
Esfenvalerate Initial deposit 2.11 ± 0.046
Tap water 1.54 ± 0.068 27 1.52 ± 0.010 28 1.52 ± 0.028 28 1.90 ± 0.057 10
2% NaHCO3 1.01 ± 0.075 52 0.55 ± 0.046 74 0.65 ± 0.053 69 0.72 ± 0.069 66
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.48 ± 0.008 30 1.37 ± 0.006 35 0.87 ± 0.042 59 1.10 ± 0.045 48
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.12 ± 0.016 47 1.01 ± 0.068 52 0.91 ± 0.021 57 1.06 ± 0.014 50
Ozone solution 1.10 ± 0.083 48 0.42 ± 0.082 80 0.74 ± 0.071 65 0.46 ± 0.047 78
Micron calcium 0.89 ± 0.15 58 0.91 ± 0.002 57 0.89 ± 0.062 58 0.97 ± 0.013 54
2% Active oxygen 0.40 ± 0.011 81 0.42 ± 0.055 80 0.99 ± 0.079 53 0.42 ± 0.036 80
Difenoconazole Initial deposit 1.64 ± 0.039
Tap water 1.43 ± 0.033 13 1.30 ± 0.054 21 1.28 ± 0.043 22 1.08 ± 0.050 34
2% NaHCO3 1.23 ± 0.057 25 0.89 ± 0.032 46 1.02 ± 0.074 38 1.18 ± 0.064 28
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.16 ± 0.043 29 1.10 ± 0.015 33 1.03 ± 0.036 37 1.28 ± 0.042 22
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.34 ± 0.058 18 1.03 ± 0.020 37 1.08 ± 0.032 34 1.20 ± 0.017 27
Ozone solution 1.28 ± 0.040 22 0.62 ± 0.011 62 0.90 ± 0.037 45 0.52 ± 0.033 68
Micron calcium 0.61 ± 0.074 63 0.89 ± 0.077 46 0.85 ± 0.012 48 0.74 ± 0.007 55
2% Active oxygen 0.62 ± 0.071 62 0.64 ± 0.004 61 1.00 ± 0.012 39 0.72 ± 0.014 56
Acetamiprid Initial deposit 1.57 ± 0.072
Tap water 1.37 ± 0.028 13 1.07 ± 0.001 32 1.13 ± 0.051 28 0.99 ± 0.059 37
2% NaHCO3 1.18 ± 0.066 25 0.94 ± 0.004 40 1.05 ± 0.054 33 1.11 ± 0.028 29
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.16 ± 0.045 26 1.18 ± 0.016 25 1.11 ± 0.028 29 1.30 ± 0.067 17
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.33 ± 0.062 15 0.99 ± 0.008 37 0.97 ± 0.026 38 1.04 ± 0.065 34
Ozone solution 1.38 ± 0.043 12 0.71 ± 0.016 55 0.86 ± 0.061 45 0.57 ± 0.049 64
Micron calcium 1.24 ± 0.021 21 1.05 ± 0.079 33 0.96 ± 0.031 39 1.04 ± 0.072 34
2% Active oxygen 0.79 ± 0.081 50 0.80 ± 0.032 49 1.07 ± 0.096 32 0.82 ± 0.056 48
Imidacloprid Initial deposit 1.82 ± 0.033
Tap water 1.89 ± 0.050 9 1.26 ± 0.013 31 1.37 ± 0.024 25 1.20 ± 0.014 34
2% NaHCO3 1.29 ± 0.018 29 0.98 ± 0.008 46 1.13 ± 0.039 38 1.29 ± 0.052 29
AlEW (pH 10.50) 1.37 ± 0.046 25 1.42 ± 0.017 22 1.27 ± 0.051 30 1.64 ± 0.012 10
AlEW (pH 12.35) 1.53 ± 0.055 16 1.11 ± 0.007 39 1.15 ± 0.062 37 1.24 ± 0.081 32
Ozone solution 1.55 ± 0.081 15 0.84 ± 0.049 54 1.02 ± 0.047 44 0.67 ± 0.028 63
Micron calcium 1.44 ± 0.052 21 1.18 ± 0.064 35 1.09 ± 0.025 40 1.20 ± 0.050 34
2% Active oxygen 0.95 ± 0.074 48 0.96 ± 0.057 47 1.26 ± 0.004 31 0.95 ± 0.061 48

The optimal treatments of pesticides are shown in Table 9. Active oxygen, micron calcium, and ozone solution are the most effective treatments for kumquat, cucumber, and spinach, respectively. Tap water has a better removal effect on the 10 pesticides in cucumber, and the removal effect of the 10 pesticides in spinach is poor. The effect of 2% active oxygen solution treatment for pesticide removal in kumquat and spinach was superior to cucumber. Micron calcium solution (10 g micron calcium and 500 mL tap water) can effectively remove 10 pesticide residues in kumquat, cucumber, and spinach, and has a pH value of 12.93. The removal efficiency of pesticides from fruits and vegetables by 2% active oxygen solution is better than others because of its alkalinity (pH 10.88) and oxidizability. The pyrethroid pesticides had a higher removal rate as a result of their instability in alkaline solution. These results show that the removal rate of pesticides is associated with the pH of the washing solution, the pesticide properties, and the type of fruits and vegetables.

Table 9.

The optimal treatments of pesticides in kumquat, cucumber, and spinach.

The Total Optimal Conditions Kumquat Cucumber Spinach
2% Active oxygen (15 min) Micron calcium (20 min) Ozone solution (30 min)

4. Conclusions

The removal effects of ten pesticide residues in kumquat, cucumber, and spinach when using different detergent solutions were investigated. After soaking, the deposition of pesticides in fruits and vegetables were different, which made the experimental data generate an inevitable error. However, the overall trend is obvious. Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables showed a gradual reduction when increasing the treatment time for the majority of pesticides. It was obvious that the removal effect of washing for 15 min was vastly different from 5 min, and there was no significant difference in pesticide residue after 15 min washing treatment. Pesticides in cucumber were more easily removed by alkaline solutions, such as AlEW, micron calcium, and sodium bicarbonate solution, compared with oxidizing solutions. On the contrary, the pesticides in spinach were easily removed by oxidizing solutions. The removal efficiency of other washing solutions outperformed the tap water; tap water washing only caused a 10–40% loss of the 10 pesticides, and the AlEW, micron calcium, and active oxygen solution caused a 40–90% loss of the 10 pesticides. The data indicated that the lower Kow the pesticides had, the easier they were removed by washing with tap water, but it was inadequate when washing with other solutions. Pyrethroid pesticides adhering to plant superficies were removed more easily by washing, which is instable in the presence of alkaline solution and sunlight. The removal percentage of pesticides depended on the different washing solutions and the time of treatment, as well as the characteristics of pesticides, such as the lower octanol–water partition coefficient (Kow), mode of action, and the stability of hydrolysis and photolysis. These results clearly indicate that washing samples with detergent solution could effectively reduce pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables and ensure that humans have a healthy diet. Though the removal effects of different washing treatments have been studied in the existing literature, there has been no further study on the effects of detergents on the quality of fruit and vegetable and human health. The effect of cleaning agent residues will be studied in future work.

Author Contributions

Data curation, Y.W.; Formal analysis, Y.W. and Q.A.; Investigation, Y.W.; Methodology, Y.W. and Q.A.; Resources, Y.W., Q.A., D.L., J.W., and C.P.; Supervision, Q.A. and D.L.; Validation, Y.W.; Writing—original draft, Y.W.; Writing—review & editing, Y.W. and C.P.

Funding

The authors are grateful for the support from National Key R&D Program of China (2017YFD0800700) and Guangxi Science and Technology Major Projects [grant number AA17204043].

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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