Evaluating the Effectiveness of DhavaAswakarnadi Medicated Water in Reducing Pesticide Residues on Cauliflower: An Experimental Study

Introduction: Health is a pressing concern, and the serious effects of chemical exposures cannot be ignored. Previous studies have reported the harmful effects of pesticide residues on vegetables and human health. Ayurveda, with its wellestablished purification methods, emerges as a potential solution for contaminated produce. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of medicated vegetable wash (Dhava-Aswakarnadi Yoga water) in reducing pesticide residues on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) in comparison to standard washing practices. Materials and Methods: This experimental comparative study was conducted at the All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues, ICAR Unit-9, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India, from January 2025 to April 2025. The study focused on four widely used pesticides: Acetamiprid, Azoxystrobin, Prefenofos, and Indoxacarb. Succulent cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) was selected as the test vegetable and exposed to the chosen pesticides. Each cauliflower was then divided into three samples (tap water, boiled water, and medicated water) for comparison with a control sample, and different washing methods were evaluated. Analysis of 48 samples was carried out using advanced Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) at the All India Network Project on Pesticide Residues, ICAR Unit-9, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to assess the effects of three different water washes on pesticide levels in relation to the control group. A p-value≤0.05 was deemed statistically significant. Results: The treatment with Dhava-Aswakarnadi modified medicated water resulted in the lowest pesticide residue levels across all tested compounds (p-value ≤0.001). Conclusion: Traditional processing methods play a useful role in reducing harmful pesticide residues, such as Acetamiprid, Azoxystrobin, Prefenofos, and Indoxacarb, which pose serious health risks when consumed regularly. GC-MS/MS analysis demonstrated that medicated water is an effective washing method. It is essential to raise awareness about this method and encourage the adoption of traditional vegetable-washing practices.