Many consumers are wary of what “organic” really means and whether the differences are worth the additional cost. The purpose of this research project is to provide consumers with additional details related to whether organic produce follows the regulations set forward by the National Organic Program. The first goal of the research is to determine whether organic and conventional apples vary in the residues left by the pesticides diphenylamine and kresoxim-methyl. In order to analyze diphenylamine levels, standard solutions and calibration standards of diphenylamine were prepared, diphenylamine was extracted from apple pomace, and all samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In order to analyze krexoim-methyl levels, kresoxim-methyl calibration standards were prepared, the pesticide was extracted from the apple pomace using solid-phase extraction and pepper leaf extract, then the samples were analyzed utilizing GC-MS. Secondly, the project questioned whether organic frozen corn contains traces of a Roundup Ready gene that codes for the enzyme CP4 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (CP4 EPSPS). Corn kernels were prepared through heat and grinding, with DNA extracted and amplified using an Extract-N-Amp<sup>TM</sup> Seed PCR Kit. The hypothesis is that organic apples will contain residues of the restricted pesticides diphenylamine and kresoxim-methyl, but in a lower concentration than conventional apples. Also, that organic frozen corn will not contain the DNA of a Roundup Ready<sup>®</sup> organism, whereas the DNA may be present in conventional frozen corn.

Analysis of organic vs conventional produce: Diphenylamine and kresoxim-methyl in apples and cp4 epsps gene found in frozen corn

251st National Meeting (2016)

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