Monitoring and minimize of some organophosphorus residues in potato tubers

A total of 192 potato tubers samples collected at random from Cairo, Kalubia, Giza and Beni-Suef Governorates markets from January 2008 to December 2008 to detect the contamination of some organophosphorus pesticide residues. The results indicated that the percentage of contamination with organophosphorus pesticide residues in Egyptian markets was 17.19% and the percentage of violation was 1.04%. On the other hand, potato tubers samples were found to contain the highest levels of prothiofos and chlorpyrifos. Boiling was necessary to remove the greatest amount of pesticides in the tuber. Washing with water as well as the cooking process (peeling and frying) helped to eliminate most of the pesticide residues from the potato tubers.