KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA NO.

2, OTA GAYA
SESSION:2023-24

Chemistry
INVESTIGATORY
Project made by
Project
Shristhi
XII ‘A’
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 Table Of
CONTENTS
01 Topic

02 Introduction

03 Experiment
1. Aim
2. Requirements
3. Theory
4. Procedure
5. Observation
6. Result
7. Precautions
04 Biblography

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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. Some pests are shown below:

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Some examples of pesticides are: 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, which also

makes pesticides pollutants. In 1960s it was discovered that
DDT was preventing many fish eating birds from reproducing,
which was a serious threat to biodiversity. The agricultural
use of DDT is now leaned under the stock holm convention.

Restrictions on use of pesticides and controlling use of

pesticides are imposed. The US department of agriculture has
campaigned for the safe use of pesticides. Traditional
insecticides such as pyrithrium or non-persistent chemicals
such as carbaryl sevin are now very widely used. Large-scale
rearing, radiation sterilizing and release programme are now
major effects of the US Department of agriculture and are
highly effective in restricted situations. Control of insects by
synthetic growth hormones is also effective in limited
situations
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 Experiment
AIM:
To detect the presence of pesticides/insecticides
(nitrogen containing) in various fruits and vegetables.

MATERIAL REQUIRED:
Mortar and pestle, Beakers, Funnel, Glass rod, Filter paper, China
dish, Water bath, Tripod stand, Fusion tube, Knife, Test tube,
Samples of various fruits and vegetables, Alcohol, Sodium Metal,
Ferric Chloride, Ferrous Sulphate Crystals, Distilled Water, Dil. HCl.

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)

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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:

1.) Herbicides

2.) Fungicides

3.) Rodenticides

4.) Insecticides

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 PROCEDURE:
1) Different types of fruits and vegetables were taken and cut into
small pieces separately and crushed a bit.
2) Different beakers were selected for each kind of fruits and
vegetables. The crushed fruits and vegetables were placed in these
beakers and 100 ml of alcohol was added to each of these.
3) The mixture was stirred well and filtered.
4) The filtrate was collected in separate china dishes, the alcohol was
evaporated by heating the china dishes one by one over a water bath
and the residue was dried in oven.
5) A small piece of sodium was then heated in a fusion tube, till it
melted.
6) One of the above residues from the china dish was added to this
fusion tube and heated till it was red hot.
7) The hot fusion tube was dropped in a china dish containing about 10
ml of distilled water.
8) The tube was then broken and the contents of the china dish was
boiled for about 5 minutes.
9) The solution was cooled and filtered.
10) The filtrate was then collected.
11) To the filtrate 1 ml of freshly prepared ferrous sulphate solution
was added and heated.
12) Then 2-3 drops of ferric chloride solution were added and acidified
with dilute HCl.
13) A blue or green ppt. or coloration if obtained indicated the
presence of nitrogen containing insecticides. The above steps are
repeated for residues obtained from other fruits and vegetables and
observations are recorded.

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 OBSERVATION:

RESULT:
All the fruits and vegetables which were tested contain
nitrogen containing pesticides/insecticides.

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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Thank
You
SUBMITTED BY:-
SHRISTHI
(XII ‘A’)

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 Certificate
I affirm that Shristhi, a student of Class 12th “A” at Kendriya
Vidyalaya No. 2, OTA Gaya, has satisfactorily concluded the
project titled " Studying the presence of insecticide and
pesticide in various fruits and vegetables" under the
guidance of Dr. Nirmala Kumari, PGT Chemistry, for the
academic year 2023-24. The project was executed in
compliance with the guidelines prescribed by CBSE, New
Delhi, and was accomplished with diligence and
gratification.

Dr. Nirmala kumari External examiner

(PGT Chemistry)

Principal

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 Acknowlegment
I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to
Shri Rajesh Srivastava, Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya no.2, OTA
Gaya, for his unwavering support and the resources he provided
during this project work. His encouragement and guidance have
been invaluable, and I will always cherish his kindness.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr Nirmala

Kumari (PGT Chemistry), whose expert guidance, constructive
feedback, and constant encouragement were essential in
successfully completing this project. Her support and motivation
sustained me throughout the various stages of this endeavor

.
I am also immensely grateful to my family for their unwavering
support, valuable advice, and assistance in carrying out this
project. Their contribution played an integral role in making this
project a reality.

Page 03 of 13
 Topic
Studying the
presence of
insecticide
and pesticide
in various
fruits and
vegetables
Page 05 of 13
 Biblography
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

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