Processing Factor of Matrine in Chilli Pepper

Abstract This study was carried out to investigate the residual characteristics and calculate processingfactor of the environment friendly material matrine in fresh chilli pepper by drying. Spray solution of matrinewas prepared by dilution of the commercial product (2% active ingredient) with water at 1 : 1000 (v/v) ratioand sprayed onto chilli pepper plants at seven day intervals. Samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, 5 and 7 daysafter last application and then dried using a hot air dry oven at 60 o C for 36 hours until the water content wasreduced to 14%. Recoveries and storage period stabilities of matrine in the samples ranged from 106.6 to119.1% and 106.6 to 113.1%, respectively. The residual concentrations of matrine in fresh chilli pepper anddried chilli peppers treated only once were found to be from less than 0.01 to 0.11 and from 0.03 to 0.25mg/kg, respectively. In case of plants sprayed twice with matrine, the residual concentrations ranged from0.02 to 0.12 and from 0.04 to 0.4 mg/kg, respectively. Processing factor of matrine in the fresh chilli pepperby drying was found to be from 1.5 to 3.3, indicating that the residual concentration of matrine in dried chillipepper increased about two or three times by drying.Key words Matrine, residue, chilli pepper, dried chilli pepper, processing factor