Persistence of iprodione residues in/on mango fruits after post-harvest treatment and effect of washing on the residue levels.

Abstract

Post-harvest loss of mango fruits due to anthracnose and stem end rot is very high. Iprodione is a contact fungicide which gives good control of both the diseases. Its residue persistence was studied on matured mango fruits after post-harvest treatment @ 2 and 4 g/L. The effect of washing with detergent (0.1%) to disperse residue deposit of iprodione on mango fruits was also studied. Residue levels of iprodione immediately after post-harvest treatment were 7.53 and 12.27 mg/kg. Washing of the fruits 1 day later with water reduced the residue levels by 67%. Major portion of the iprodione residues remained on the fruit surface with minimal movement to the pulp. Analysis of mango pulp of unwashed fruits or fruits washed only with water did not give any conclusive results. But washing the fruits with detergent followed by peeling more than 93% residue deposits could be removed. Matured mango fruits where the peel is discarded can be washed with detergent solution and peeled to remove iprodione residues, but for immature mango fruits where the entire fruit is consumed it should be washed with water to avoid the possibility of detergent residues remaining on the fruits