Evaluation of imazalil dissipation/migration in postharvest papaya using low-temperature partition extraction and GC-MS analysis.

Methods involving solid-liquid extraction with low-temperature partition and analysis by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were validated to investigate the dissipation/migration of residues of the postharvest fungicide imazalil in papaya skin, pulp, and seeds. The fruits were stored for 23 days (14 °C). Every two days, fruits from the control group and those treated with imazalil had their skin, outer pulp, inner pulp, and seeds separated and then analyzed by GC-MS. After the 23rd day, about 70% of the imazalil had dissipated. Most of the remaining residue was found in the skin; however, the small amount migrating into the pulp was above the maximum residue levels allowed by the regulatory agencies. Imazalil residue was also detected in seeds at concentrations lower than the LOQ (0.025 mg kg). Mass loss was the only quality parameter that showed a significant difference between the fruits of the control and study groups.