Dissipation and persistence behaviour of fipronil and its metabolites in chilli fruits using GC-ECD, confirmed by GC-MS, under semi-arid conditions

Chilli, one of the most popular vegetables in the world is infested by many insect-pests and diseases. Fipronil, a phenylpyrazole class insecticide is used to manage insect-pests on chilli. The present study aimed to analyze the dissipation patterns and residual concentrations of the fipronil and its metabolites in chilli fruits during the Kharif season of 2020-21, in semi-arid environment. In the study, fipronil was applied to the plants twice, with a 10-day gap between treatments, using a 5 % suspension concentrate. The applications were undertaken using two separate concentrations i.e. the lower dosage of 40 g a.i. ha^-1 and higher dosage of 80 g a.i. ha^-1. There were four sets of data for each concentration. The chilli crop was systematically sampled at predetermined intervals after the application of the second spray. The procedure encompassed utilizing the modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) technique for extraction and purification, followed by analyzing the resulting residues using Gas Chromatography Electron Capture Detector. Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectrometry was subsequently conducted for the confirmation of the findings. The research revealed that the mean initial deposit of fipronil and its metabolites (desulfinyl, sulphide, and sulfone) at the authorized dosage was determined to be 0.574, 0.123, 0.031, and 0.180 mg kg^-1, respectively. In contrast, when administered at twice the prescribed dosage, the mean first deposit was 1.204, 0.230, 0.067, and 0.382 mg kg^-1. The half-life values of these residues exhibited a range of 1.2-4.1 days for both dosages. A prudent waiting duration was determined for the doses, leading to the conclusion that an average interval of 7 days is deemed safe for harvesting chilli peppers. The significance of this discovery is related to the maximum residue limits of 0.001 mg kg^-1 for fipronil in green chilli, as established by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. This study provides significant insights into fipronil's persistence and proper management in chilli plant cultivation, emphasizing the importance of following prescribed dosages and designated waiting intervals to ensure the safety of food products.