Captan: This pesticide is probably carcinogenic and mutagenic. Remains primarily ont he surface and washing, cooking and/or heat processing will reduce residues.

Procedures: Grow the apples in the presence of minimal captan, normal amounts of captan, and large amounts of captan applied twice a week from budding until harvest. Also a control will be grown without captan. Test the apples after for levels of captan residues and carcinogens before any processing is done. After completion of the preliminary test, tests would be completed on apples after they have been washed, after they have been peeled and after they have been boiled to test for the presence of pesticide residue and carcinogens. Tests can also be run in the finished product, such as applesauce or canned sliced apples for pies. Each of these tests will look at the chemical composition of carbohydrates and pesticide residue relative to the control.

Information Required: How to test the chemical composition of carbohydrates and pesticide residues in apples?

How much captan is minimal, normal and maximal to use?
Is twice a week too much pesticide to add?
What levels of carcinogen is too high?
Normal carbohydrate concentration and composition.

Constraints and Limitations: Time consuming to take care of apples. Harvest may be small or minimal which leaves little room for error in laboratory.

Determinants and Outcome: We will know the effects of each variable in the area of product quality and be able to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of captan use on apples.

Updated: Monday, August 27, 2007.