RESIDUES OF METHOMYL IN STRAWBERRIES, TOMATOES AND CUCUMBERS

An accurate and rapid high performance liquid chromatography method wa s developed to monitor residues of methomyl in plant extracts. The rat e of disappearance of foliage-applied methomyl from strawberries, toma toes and cucumbers was studied. Residues reached levels of 0.55, 0.2 a nd 0.6 mg kg(-1) seven days after methomyl had been applied to strawbe rries, tomatoes and cucumbers, respectively. Results also showed that rinsing treated fruits with tap water removed considerable amounts of methomyl. Samples of strawberries, tomatoes and cucumbers were collect ed from local markets at Ismailia, and checked for methomyl residues. Residues in 12.5% of tomato and 25% of strawberry samples were above 0 .2 mg kg(-1).