Removal of pesticide residue in cherry tomato by hydrostatic pressure

The reduction of Chlorpyrifos (CP) in cherry tomatoes by High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment was demonstrated and compared with other washing methods. CP is commonly used as a broad-spectrum insecticide in pest control, and high residual levels have been detected in vegetables. Samples were treated at several pressures (0.1–400 MPa) and at two temperatures (5 or 25 °C) for 30 min. The optimum HHP conditions for reducing CP were around 75 MPa at 5 °C, and the removal rate was about 75%. This removal rate is slightly higher than other treatments such as soaking in ethanol solution and ultrasonic, accompanied by no visual changes (color, size and shape) in appearance. Also, no toxic intermediates were identified in the extracts of the high-pressure treated cherry tomatoes under these experimental conditions. The present results indicate that HHP can be a useful choice for removing residual pesticides.

► The removal effect of hydrophobic pesticide from cherry tomato by hydrostatic pressure treatment was demonstrated.
► The physical textures such as color, size, shape and firmness were studied at the several temperature and pressure levels.
► We examined whether removed pesticide from sample migrate to the surrounding water.
► No toxic intermediates from pesticide were identified in the extract after the high-pressure treated sample.
► Hydrostatic pressure treatment was compared with other washing methods.