ATMIYA VIDYA NIKETAN, AHMEDABAD

SESSION: 2023 - 24
Chemistry Project
ON
Study of presence of Insecticides and
pesticides in
Fruit and Vegetables

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Mr. Amit Acharya Mr. Harshil Sapariya

School Stamp Internal Examiner Principal External

Examine Signature Signature Signature

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 Certificate
This is to certify that this “Chemistry Project”’ on the

topic “Study of presence of insecticides and pesticides

in fruits and vegetables” has been successfully

completed by Master “Harshil Sapariya” of class XII

(Sci) – under the guidance of “Mr. Amit Acharya” in

particular fulfilment of the curriculum of Central Board

of Secondary Education (CBSE) leading to the award of

annual examination of the year 2023 -24.

INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNAL EXAMIER

PRINCIPAL

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 Acknowledgement
My sincere thanks go to Ms. Moutoshi Sharma, our
principal ma’am, for her co –ordination in extending very
possible support for the completion of this project.

I would like to express a deep sense of thanks and gratitude

to my project guide Mr. Amit Acharya for guiding me
immensely through the course of the project.

His constructive advice and constant motivation have been

responsible for the successful completion of the project.

I also thank my parents for their motivation and support. I

must thank my classmates for their timely help and support
for the compilation of this project.

Last but not the least, I would like to thank all those who
had helped directly or indirectly towards the completion of
this project.

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 INDEX
Sr. No Name Page. No

1. Introduction

2. Aim

3. Theory

4. Materials

5. Procedure

6. Observation

7. Conclusion

8. Bibliography

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 Introduction
Since before 20BC, humans have utilized pesticides to protect
their crops. The first known pesticide was elemental sulphur
dusting used about 4500 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia. By
the 15th century, toxic chemicals such as arsenic, mercury and
lead were being used as insecticides. The 19th century saw the
introduction of two more
natural pesticides, pyrethrum,
which is derived from
chrysanthemums, rotenone
which is derived from the roots
of tropical vegetables. In 1940s manufacturers began to
produce large amounts of synthetic pesticides. The 1940s and
1950s is said to be the start of the “Pesticide era”. A pesticide
may be a chemical substance, biological agent, disinfectant or
device used against any pest. Pests include insects, plant
pathogens, insects, molluscs, birds, mammals, fish, nematodes
and microbes that destroy property or spread disease.

In the past decade there has been a tremendous increase in

the yields of various crops to meet the demand of
overgrowing population, achieved by using pesticides and

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insecticides. These are chemicals that are sprayed over crop
to protect it from pests.
For example, DDT, BHC, zinc
phosphide, Mercuric chloride, dinitrophenol, etc.
All pesticides are
poisonous chemicals
and are used in small
quantities with care.
Pesticides are proven to
be effective against
variety of insects, weeds and fungi and are respectively called
insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.
Most of the pesticides are non-biodegradable and remain
penetrated as such into plants, fruits and vegetables.
From plants they transfer to animals, birds and human
beings who eat these polluted fruits and vegetables.
Inside the body they get accumulated and cause serious
Health problems. These days preference is given to
insecticides like malathion.

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The presence of organic Insecticides residues in even raw
samples of wheat, fish, meat, butter etc. have aroused the

concern of agricultural administrators, scientists and health

officials all over the world to put a check over the use of
insecticides and to search for non-insecticidal means of pest
control.

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 Aim
To study the presence of insecticides and pesticides
(Nitrogen-containing) in various fruit and vegetables.

Theory
Pesticides are chemicals which prevent pests. Nitrogen
present in organic compounds is detected by
“Lassaigne’s Test”.
The elements present in the compound are converted
from covalent form into the ionic form by fusing the
compound with sodium metal. Following reaction take
place:
Na + C + N =NaCN (sodium cyanide)
Cyanide of sodium so formed on sodium fusion is
extracted from the fused mass by boiling it with
distilled water. This extract is known as sodium fusion
extract. Pesticides are classified according to the pests
they control.
The four main types of pesticides are:
(i) Herbicides
(ii) Fungicides
(iii) Rodenticides
(iv) Insecticides

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 Material Required
• Mortar and pestle
• Beakers, funnel
• Glass rod
• Filter paper
• China dish
• Tripod
stand
• Fusion tube
• Knife
• Test-tube
• Samples of fruits and vegetables
• Alcohol
• Sodium metal
• Ferric chloride
• Ferrous sulphate crystals
• Distilled water
• Dilute sulphuric acid

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 Procedure
❖ Following is the list of steps to follow while
doing this project: -

a. Take different types of fruits and vegetables and cut

them into small pieces separately.

b. Transfer the cut pieces of various fruits and

vegetables into it separately and crush them.

c. Take different kinds for each kind of fruits and

vegetables and place the crushed fruits and vegetables
in these beakers and add 100 ml of alcohol to each of
these.

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d. Stir well and filter. Collect the filtrate in separate
China dishes, Evaporate the alcohol by heating the
China dishes one by one over a water bath and let the
residue dry in the oven.

e. Heat a small piece of sodium in a fusion tube, till it

melts.

f. Then add one of the above residues from the China

dish to this fusion tube and heat it till red hot.

g. Drop the hot fusion tube in a China dish containing

about 10ML of distilled water.

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h. Break the tube and boil the contents of China dish for
about five minutes.

i. Cool and filter the solution,

collect the filtrate. To filtrate
add 1ML of freshly prepared
ferrous sulphate solution and
warmth the contents.

j. Then add 2-3 Drops of ferric chloride solution and

acidify the dilute HCL if a blue or green ppt. or
colouration is obtained it Indicates the presence of
nitrogen containing insecticides.

k. Repeat the test of nitrogen for residues obtained from

other fruit and vegetable and record the observation.

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 Observation
❖Observation are being record in tabular form given
below:

SR.no Name of the Test for the presence Presence of

fruit or of nitrogen (Positive insecticides
vegetable or negative) or
pesticides
residue
1. Apple Positive Positive
2. Grapes Positive Positive
3. Brijal Positive Positive
4. Tomato Positive Positive
5. Cucumber Positive Positive
6. Banana Positive Positive
7. Potato Positive Positive

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 Conclusion
Hence, it can conclude that the fruits and vegetable are
been test have presence of nitrogen or can be said have
insecticides and pesticides residue in it.

PRECAUTIONS
1. Splashing must be avoided.
2. Eyes and nose must not be touched after touching
chemicals which are used.
3. For effective results the fruit and vegetable samples
should be sliced into small pieces and then crushed
properly.

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 Bibliography
1. www.encyclopedia.com

2. www.wikipedia.com

3. Britannica encyclopaedia

4. Practical manual in chemistry for class XII

5. Microsoft Encarta

6. NCERT Chemistry- XII

7. Comprehensive Practical Chemistry- XII

8. www.scribd.com

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