removing pesticides...?

[kaybee]

OK, I know there have been other threads on this, but many of them seem to be older, and so I'm wondering if theres any new knowledge that has come out about the best way to do this...

I want to slice and dry fruit in the dehydrator, including oranges with the skin on, to put layered in jars with other dried fruit as Christmas gifts.

Organic oranges are not readily available and way out of my price range.... the non-organic ones say on the package that they have been treated with imazalil or thiabendazol (antifungal/anti-molding chemicals, I think). Though I dont expect people to eat the skins, I want/need to leave the skins on so that the slices will keep their shape. I'd prefer to not be putting major chemical-laden stuff in the jar though which then will be touching the eating surfaces of other fruit...so....any way to get these pesticides off or render them harmless enough to not worry about the contact? I know many people who dont think about it use orange peel from any old orange in their cooking and baking and probably the dried peel you get in the store is covered with the stuff too, but i would still feel more comfortable at least trying to remove the pesticides first.

I dont have access to fruit/veggie wash--have never seen them here where i live in ireland. also dont have access to food-grade hydrogen peroxide, and peroxide from the pharmacy is very pricey (about 5 dollars for 5 ounces). not thrilled with the idea of using clorox either, and dont think i can get clorox brand here anyway....

would regular natural dish detergent do the trick to remove some of the waxes and wash the pesticides off? ive also seen suggestions about using white vinegar and/or cider vinegar and some other home remedies. any studies to back these things up about what really works? would rather not spend the time and energy unless something actually does work ;)

thanks a million

kaybee

[MysticTree]

I think you answer your own questions really. I certainly wouldn't reckon that regular dish detergent would be a good idea and judging by the other products you say you can't get, I doubt you can get an organic dish detergent - and anyway, whose to say it's any better than what's already on the citrus.

Buy organic, unwaxed fruits where possible.

[GreginND]

Actually, as a chemist with some knowledge of organic compound solubility I disagree. Dish Soap would probably be your best bet for removing the pesticides and may be much less toxic than some of the pesticides. Pesticides are generally organic chemical compounds that are not readily dissolved in water. Thus a surfactant (soap or detergent) will help to solubilize them and wash them away in water. I would wash with mild dish soap and rinse well with water. Since both of these pesticides do have a site on the molecular structure that could be protonated by an acid, I would also wash them with plain vinegar and then rinse well with water.

For your information, Tiabendazole (thiabendazole, mintazole) is a fungicide. It is also used as a medical agent to chelate heavy metals (lead, mercury and arsenic) to remove them from your body. It may not be that bad.

Enilconazole (imazalil, chloramizole) is a pesticide that has more potential toxicity and the one I would worry most about.

[kaybee]

hmmm. thanks for the chemistry! sure, of course, buy unwaxed and organic...but its just not possible right now. im comfortable using a dishsoap from the HFS...i know it really has to break down waxes though...not sure if those do but its worth a try. interesting about the vinegar as well so will give that a go too. also interesting about the chelation.... but yeah they are treated with both that and/or imazalil...no way to know really, and no way to avoid really other than avoid purchasing, which means no oranges! because very little fruit grows here, we are stuck with everything imported and hence, treated.

thx.

k

[DebB]

For what it's worth - I make my own 'veggie wash' using the food grade hydrogen peroxide. I pay $23.69 for 16 ounces (35%). I dilute the 35% down to 3% and use the following:

In one side of a double sink I put 1 teaspoon 3% food grade hydrogen peroxide, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 1 tablespoon salt to a sink full of water. I let the produce soak for 10-15 minutes, drain and rinse well. I got this recipe from Dr. Robert Morse ND. *Ü*

[GreginND]

Hydrogen peroxide is used to kill bacteria, not necessarily to remove pesticides. It probably won't have any affect on the pesticides.

[sport]

Kaybee. I get the vege wash in a HFS in Patrick Street so next time you pop up to Cork you should pick some some up. We spent long enough standing on Patrick Street on World Vegan Day.
I do not use the wash very much. I mostly just use Dr Bronners Soap to wash my fruit.