The effect of different household washing methods on removing lambda-cyhalothrin pesticide residues from tomatoes

Abstract This study investigated the presence of residues of the pesticide lambda-cyhalothrin and its behavior with different washing treatments in tomato samples using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) technique. Ten tomato samples were subjected to different household washing treatments (tap water, 10% sodium chloride solution, 20% vinegar-water solution (1:4), followed by extraction and analysis of the pesticide using the QuEChERS technique. Residue levels varied by treatment, with the unwashed sample having a concentration of 104.00ppb, with a 00.0% removal rate. The samples were as follows: (92.09, 88.66, 87.85, 100.71, 99.75, 92.84, 103.16, 97.47, 94.33)ppb and (11.45, 14.75, 15.52, 3.16, 4.09, 10.73, 0.81, 6.28, 930)% respectively. Washing with tap water only for 15 minutes achieved the highest removal rate of tomatoes, with a percentage of (15.52%) while washing with20% vinegar-water solution (1:4), for 5 minutes recorded the lowest removal rate, with a percentage of (0.81%). This study confirms that lambda-cyhalothrin residues in tomatoes can be significantly reduced through appropriate washing techniques. The study recommended that consumers follow these practices to reduce the risk of dietary exposure to pesticide residues. It also recommended that the effect of other food processing methods, such as cooking or peeling, on pesticide residue levels be studied. Public awareness should also be raised about effective washing techniques. Future research should assess the cumulative risks of pesticide residues in In the soil, in the fruit, and in the human body.