Residual ethylene dibromide and inorganic bromide levels in some fruit and vegetables after fumigation with ethylene dibromide or methyl bromide.
Hargreaves P. A., Wainwright D. H., Swaine G., Corcoran R. J.
Author Affiliation: Department of Primary Industries, Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia.
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture and Animal Husbandry 18 : 586-590
Abstract : In investigations in Queensland, where fumigants are in use or under investigation for the control of Dacus tryoni (Frogg.) in stored fruit and vegetables and of D. cucumis French (Austrodacus cucumis) in cucumbers, pumpkins and zucchini (squash), residues of ethylene dibromide (EDB) were determined at periods of up to 7 days after the fumigation of capsicum, mango, papaw, passionfruit, pumpkin and squash. Residues of inorganic bromide were also determined after EDB fumigation for capsicum, cucumber, mango, papaw and passionfruit. All commercially-recommended EDB treatments, with the exception of that for squash, resulted in EDB residues at 3 days of 6-16 times the recommended maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.1 mg/kg specified for a withholding period of 2 days. All the inorganic bromide residues determined up to 7 days after EDB fumigation were below the current recommended MRL values. Inorganic bromide residues were also determined for avocadoes fumigated with methyl bromide. After 7 days the residues for full ripe fruit slightly exceeded the recommended MRL of 75 mg/kg, while those for mature green and for mixed green and ripe fruit were slightly less than the recommended MRL.ADDITIONAL ABSTRACT:In Queensland, some fruit and vegetables are fumigated with ethylene dibromide (EDB) against Dacus tryoni (Frogg.); EDB is also effective against Dacus cucumis French (Austrodacus cucumis) in pumpkins, zucchini and cucumber. Treatments against D. tryoni with methyl bromide are also being investigated. Residues of EDB were determined at periods of up to 7 days after fumigation of capsicum, cucumber, mango, papaw and passionfruit. All commercially recommended EDB treatments, with the exception of that for zucchini, resulted in EDB residues at 3 days from 6 to 16 times the recommended maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.1 mg/kg, specified for a withholding period of 2 days. All the inorganic bromide residues determined up to 7 days after EDB fumigation were below the current recommended MRLs. Inorganic bromide residues were also determined for avocadoes fumigated with methyl bromide. After 7 days, the residues for full ripe fruit slightly exceeded the recommended MRL of 75 mg/kg, while those for mature green and for mixed green and ripe fruit were slightly less than the recommended MRL.