Sulfoxaflor residues and exposure risk assessment in grape under Egyptian field conditions

Grapes are among the most popular fruits globally, and insecticides are commonly used on grape farms. Sulfoxaflor, a novel sulfoximine insecticide that works against various insect pests, is extensively used in Egypt. Our field trials assessed the dynamics and final residues of sulfoxaflor in grapes and grape leaves grown in Egyptian environments with different application rates, including worst-case scenarios. A QuEChERS-based method with LC-MS/MS was used to analyze residues of sulfoxaflor in grapes and grape leaves. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was validated at 0.01 mg‧kg^-1. Sulfoxaflor residues are degraded in grapes and grape leaves according to a first-order kinetic model, with an estimated half-life (t_1/2) of 7.04 and 7.7 days, respectively, and considerable degradation (74.68 and 72.16%, respectively) after 14 days. The final residues in grapes and grape leaves were below the Codex or EU maximum residue limit (MRL) (2 mg‧kg^-1) after 3 days of the recommended and high application rates. The findings showed that grapes and leaves treated with sulfoxaflor at the recommended rate are safe for humans 3 days after two or three consecutive treatments with intervals of 14 days. The current study should pave the way for implementing safe and appropriate sulfoxaflor use in grapes and grape leaves in Egypt.