*2.5. Method Validation*

The analytical method was validated according to the SANTE/12682/2019 guidelines on validation procedures for pesticide residue analysis in food and feed [22]. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantitation (LOQs) were estimated using signal-tonoise (S/N) ratios of 3 and 10, respectively. The analytical method was validated for each matrix, and the linearity of the matrix-matched calibration curve was determined at five concentrations (0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1 mg/kg). Recovery was estimated at three concentrations (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 mg/kg) by spiking ten standard pesticides into a blank sample.

### *2.6. Statistical Analysis*

All data analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics, Version 27.0 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). For each washing method, the mean and standard deviation of the data from the repeated experiments were determined. The significance of all data was determined using ANOVA, and Tukey's test was used as a post-hoc analysis technique. Differences between treatments were established at a significance level of *p* < 0.05. Pearson's correlation test was conducted to estimate the effect of washing methods and properties of pesticide on the decline pattern. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed to determine the correlation between the pesticide physicochemical parameters, pesticide percent reduction, and effectiveness of each washing method.
