Stereoselective behaviour of diclofop-methyl and diclofop during cabbage pickling

► This is the first report on stereoselective degradation of pesticides in pickling. ► The metabolism of diclofop-methyl (DM) was studied. ► A simple HPLC method was established for the analysis of DM and diclofop (DC). ► Obvious stereoselective degradation of DM was observed in the pickling process. ► Distribution of DM and DC in the cabbage and the brine was analysed.