Risk assessment of mixture formulation of spirotetramat and imidacloprid in chilli fruits.

Persistence and risk assessment of spirotetramat and imidacloprid in chilli fruits were studied following three applications of a mixture formulation of spirotetramat (12%) and imidacloprid (12%) at 1000 and 2000 mL ha(-1). Residues of spirotetramat and imidacloprid in chilli were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). Residues of spirotetramat and imidacloprid dissipated to more than 65% after 3 days at both the dosages. Residues of spirotetramat on chilli fruits were found to be below its limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.03 mg kg(-1) after 5 and 7 days for recommended and double the recommended dosages, respectively. Similarly, imidacloprid residues were found to be below its LOQ of 0.01 mg kg(-1) at 7 and 10 days, respectively. Half-life periods for spirotetramat were found to be 1.91 and 1.30 days, whereas, for imidacloprid, these values were observed to be 1.41 and 1.65 days at recommended and double the recommended dosages, respectively. Red chilli samples collected after 20 days of the last application did not show the presence of spirotetramat and imidacloprid at their respective determination limit. As the theoretical maximum residue contributions on chilli fruits are found to be less than the maximum permissible intake values on initial deposits, a waiting period of 1 day may follow to reduce risk before consumption at the recommended dose.