Can salt washed fruits remove pesticides

Salt washing fruits can remove some pesticide residues, but the effect is limited. The pesticide residues on the surface of fruits mainly include organophosphates, pyrethroids, etc. The osmotic pressure of salt water can dissolve some fat soluble pesticides, but it is ineffective for systemic pesticides or residues that have penetrated the fruit skin. More effective cleaning methods include rinsing with running water, soaking in baking soda, and peeling treatment. The principle of salt water cleaning is to use sodium ions to destroy the molecular structure of pesticides, which has a certain effect on the contact pesticides attached to the surface of fruits. Experiments have shown that soaking in salt water for 10 minutes can remove about 30% of common pesticide residues, especially for organic phosphorus pesticides such as dimethoate and dichlorvos. However, it should be noted that excessive salt concentration may damage the fruit cell membrane and lead to nutrient loss. It is recommended to use around 3% diluted salt water.

Saltwater cleaning is generally ineffective for systemic pesticides such as imidacloprid and carbendazim absorbed through plant conduits. This type of pesticide will enter the flesh tissue through transpiration of plants, and conventional cleaning methods are difficult to remove. Partial fat soluble pesticides such as cypermethrin can be partially dissolved by saltwater, but mechanical friction is required to improve removal efficiency. Saltwater has a reduced effect on fruits with thick wax layers, such as apples and pears.

It is recommended to use graded treatment for daily fruit cleaning: first rinse with running water for 30 seconds to remove surface dust, then soak in fruit and vegetable cleaning agent or baking soda water for 5 minutes, and finally gently brush the surface with a soft bristled brush. For fruits such as grapes and strawberries that are not easy to clean, flour can be used to absorb them. Peeling can remove most of the skin residue, but it will result in a loss of dietary fiber. When purchasing, you can choose fruits with green certification and pay attention to the characteristics of pesticide use in different seasons. Pesticide residues in winter fruits are usually lower than in summer.