Appraisal of Pesticide Residues in Kola Nuts Obtained from Selected Markets in Southwestern, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: To assess the level of pesticide residues in kola nuts . Study Design:Kola nuts were purchased in open markets within South Western, Nigeria. Place and Duration of Study:The samples were obtained in markets within Oyo, Osun and Ogun States, Nigeria between November and December, 2012. Methodology: Kola nuts were sun-dried and pulverized. 3 g of each of the pulverized samples was extracted with acetonitrile saturated with hexane. Each of the extracts was subjected to clean-up followed by pesticide residue determination using HP 5890 II Gas Chromatograph. Results:Result show that, 50% of kola nuts samples obtained from Oyo State contained chlordane residue ranging from nd �0.123 µg kg -1 ; all the samples from Osun State had chlordane residue ranging from 0.103 to 0.115 µg kg -1 while 70% of kola nuts from Ogun State had chlordane residues (nd �0.12 µg kg -1 ). All samples from Ogun, Osun and Oyo States had endosulfan residueswhile 30 and 20% of kola nuts obtained from Osun and Ogun States had alachlor residues respectively. Conclusion: The presence of alachlor (herbicide), endosulfan and chlordane residues in kola nuts is an indication that, kola nuts processors use hazardous pesticides in the