AN ANALYTICAL STUDY TO DETERMINE THE DETOXIFYING EFFECT OF HARIDRA (CURCUMA LONGA LINN) ON IMIDACLOPRID RESIDUE IN BABYCORNS (ZEA MAYS)

Dr. Swathi M.* and Dr. Ashwin Kumar S. Bharathi

ABSTRACT

Background & Objectives: Pesticides are toxins designed to kill and in addition to killing of the pests may also pose potential harm for human health. Baby corns are one such vegetable where heavy unrestrained spraying of pesticides can be observed. There are indisputable evidences to illustrate the hazardous effects of the sprayed pesticides. Ayurveda has explained many detoxifying measures which can be wisely used to nullify the harmful effects of these toxins. Hence an attempt was made in this study to analyse the efficacy of Haridra in pesticide residue removal and to compare the pesticide residue after water wash and treatment with Haridra jala and kashaya. Methods: Samples of baby corns were collected were grouped into 5 equal parts. One part was kept as control and remaining four were applied with washing techniques by washing with tap water, salt solution, haridra jala and haridra kashaya respectively. These were then subjected to extraction and then injected in to Gas chromatography for evaluation of concentration of imidacloprid. Results: Significant reduction in the residual concentration of pesticides was observed in all the methods of washing. Interpretation & Conclusion: Washing with haridra kashaya was found more efficient method of washing compared to salt water which is cost effective and easily practicable.

Keywords: baby corns; Pesticide residues; Haridra; Washing method; imidacloprid.