Effects of home preparation on organophosphorus pesticide residues in raw cucumber

The effects of washing with tap water and different detergent solutions, storage at different temperatures and ultrasonic cleaning on organophosphorus pesticide (trichlorfon, dimethoate, dichlorvos, fenitrothion, and chlorpyrifos) residue levels in raw cucumber was investigated. Analysis was carried out by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Washing with detergent solutions proved more effective than tap water. The organophosphorus pesticides reduced from 31.1% to 98.8% after washing with detergent solutions for 20 min. Among detergent solutions, 5% sodium carbonate solution caused the greatest loss in trichlorfon and dimethoate, and 5% sodium bicarbonate solution caused the greatest loss in dichlorvos, fenitrothion and chlorpyrifos. Storage at 4 °C for 48 h caused pesticides reduction by 60.9–90.2%. Ultrasonic cleaning for 20 min lowered pesticides by 49.8–84.4%. The data indicated that home preparation is effective for the reduction of organophosphorus pesticide residues in raw cucumber and it is useful for reducing the dietary exposure.