Analysis of Pesticides Residue on Brinjal before and after Dhavan by Manjistha Kwath and Sheerish Kwath

Abstract

Ayurveda is an ancient science of India having Ashtanga (eight branches). Agadtantra (toxicology) is a specialized branch that deals with poisons. Most of the medicines mentioned in Agadtantra are herbal based. In the present scenario the living environment and life style of people have change a lot. There by the disease that caused due to poisoned environment has appeared in different forms and styles. It is not necessary that only direct intake of a poisonous materials lead to Dooshivisha Lakshanas. Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) is an important widely consumed nutritious vegetable crop grown globally. The crop is infected with major diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, virus, mycoplasma and nematode that reduced the quality and market value of crop. Therefore Brinjal is sprayed with a number of pesticides for greater yield, ripening or storage.
Malathion 50%EC pesticide is sprayed several times on Brinjal crop during cultivation, may get absorbed in the epicarp and pulp in moderate contamination level. The continuous consumption of such Brinjal vegetable even with moderate contamination level can accumulate in the receptor’s body and may prove fatal for human population in the long- term. Therefore proper cleaning of these vegetables is required to nullify or reduces toxic residues of pesticide Malathion. Commonly used methods for cleaning this vegetable are washing with tap water, warm water, or salt water.

In Ayurveda, Drugs which act against toxic substances are called as Vishaghana. Acharya Charaka has listed 10 Vishaghana Dravyas, including Manjistha and Sheerish while describing Vishaghana Mahakashaya in Sutra Sthana 4th chapter Shadvirechana
So, the study was planned to observe whether the toxic residues of pesticide Malathion are nullified or reduced in the solution of Manjistha and Sheerish Vishaghana Dravyas.