PERSISTENCE AND METABOLISM OF FENTHION IN ORANGE FRUIT

The persistence and metabolism of fenthion in orange fruit were studie d in field conditions. The fenthion was transformed to fenthion sulfox ide and fenthion sulfone. Sunlight photodegradation experiments showed that this transformation is due to the action of sunlight. Residues w ere found only in the fruit peel. Fenthion showed a rapid degradation rate with a half-life of ca. 6 days. Fenthion sulfoxide was degraded m ore slowly with a half-life of ca. 14 days and represented the major r esidue. Fenthion sulfone was Present in low quantities.