High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of carbofuran residues in tomatoes grown in hydroponics

Tomato plants grown in hydroponics were irrigated three times on alternate days with nutrient solutions fortified with carbofuran at levels of 36, 111 and 222 mg 1-1, and carbofuran residues were analysed in tomato fruits. Residues were found to be below the maximum residue level set up by Codex Alimentarius Mundi (0.1 mg kg-1) 6, 11 and 18 days after the third irrigation with nutrient solutions fortified with carbofuran. Consequently, the withholding period of 60 days may be reduced to allow continuous harvest of tomatoes under the conditions used in this experiment.