Notice of Retraction Ozone/Ultrasound Degradation Effect on Residual Pesticides in Commercially Available Apples

Ozone/ultrasound process is a promising method for treating refractory organics. Nevertheless, little is known about the ozone/ultrasound degradation effect on residual pesticides in fruits and vegetables. In this work, the presence of residual pesticides and the ozone/ultrasound degradation effect on pesticides in commercially available apples were investigated. Four pesticides, i.e. malathion, diphenylamine, carbendazim, and chlorothalonil were found in the assayed apples. Three of them were post-harvest pesticides except for malathion, a organophosphorus pesticide which was the residue of field spraying. The data obtained in the degradation assays showed that the effect of ozone/ultrasound treatment was better than single ultrasound and single ozone water process. Our study suggests that this ozone/ultrasound process is a promising degradation method for residual pesticides in commercially available apples.