Residue analysis of spinetoram and spinosad on paprika leaf using the modified QuEChERS pre-treatment methods

Spinosad and spinetoram are widely used insecticides for the control of lepidopteran larvae, leaf miners, and thrips; however, they might also have low toxicity toward beneficial insects like bees. Because these pesticides are easily photolyzed by ultraviolet radiation, the QuEChERS method, with its simple pretreatment procedure, is often used for analyzing residues of spinosad and spinetoram. The present study performed a residue analysis using a modified QuEChERS method by pretreating with ammonium salt. The limit of detection (LOD) of the modified method was 0.05 mg/kg and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.25 mg/kg. The coefficient of determination (R2) for the calibration curve was 0.999. Also, we examined any change in the adhesion of spinosad and spinetoram on the plants depending on a spray volume. The adhesion was approximately 70% when the spray volume was increased from 60 L to 120 L per 10 a whereas the adhesion was approximately 37% when the spray volume was increased from 125 L to 250 L. This showed that the amount of adhesion decreased with the higher spray volume. The efficacy result of spinetoram was that over 90% of Frankliniella occidentalis was controlled with the application volume of 125 L per 10 a. Therefore, the result of this study indicates that control of insects is effective and sufficient with a spray volume of 125 L per 10 a in paprika cultivation facilities.