The effect of radiation in the degradation of carbendazim and azoxystrobin in strawberry

Excess fungicides can trigger many human health problems. Hence, measures for the degradation of fungicide residues are needed. In the present study, the efficiency of gamma radiation (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 4.0 kGy) in the decomposition of carbendazim and azoxystrobin levels in strawberries was monitored. Irradiated strawberry samples were extracted using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, Safe) protocol. Quantification of carbendazim and azoxystrobin was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The radiation doses of 1.5, 2.0, and 4.0 kGy degraded 13.17, 15.95, and 27.99% of carbendazim and 25.53, 32.32 and 56.70% of azoxystrobin, respectively. Determination of the radiation dose required to decrease the fungicides by 50% (RD50) revealed that carbendazim was more resistant than azoxystrobin to gamma radiation. •Strawberry samples contaminated with carbendazim and azoxystrobin were irradiated.•Carbendazim and azoxystrobin concentration decreased with increasing absorbed doses.•The dose of radiation required to decrease the fungicides by 50% (RD50) was higher to carbendazim than azoxystrobin.•Azoxystrobin was more sensitive to gamma radiation than carbendazim.