Persistence of Parathion Residue on Fresh West Indian Cherries and in Canned West Indian Cherry Juices

Abstract

This paper presents the data obtained in three field experiments on parathion residues left in fresh West Indian cherries (acerolas) and their juice after spraying with parathion at different time intervals. In the first two experiments the data show that parathion residues in the fresh acerola were below 1 p.p.m., the first day after the last spray. Parathion residues practically disappear after the fourth day. In the third experiment, the parathion residue in the juice was well below tolerance for other fruit crops. These results were broadly explained on the basis of the weather conditions present in Puerto Rico and the inherent volatility of parathion.