Determination of cypermethrin and hexachlorobenzene levels in milk and dairy products using high-performance liquid chromatography in Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the levels of cypermethrin and hexachlorobenzene in milk and dairy products in Isfahan, Iran. In this study, 50 samples including raw milk, pasteurised milk, ultra-high temperature milk, traditional butter, pasteurised butter, traditional cheese, and pasteurised cheese were randomly collected from distribution centres in Isfahan city from June to September 2022. The pesticide levels in the samples were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. The results indicated that the highest levels of cypermethrin, with 81.02 ± 23.77 µg/kg, were found in traditional butter, pasteurised butter, pasteurised cheese, and traditional cheese, which did not significantly differ. Regarding hexachlorobenzene, traditional butter with 66.68 ± 19.87 µg/kg and pasteurised butter with 47.16 ± 14.45 µg/kg had the highest contamination levels, which were not significantly different. The results indicated contamination of milk and dairy products supplied in Isfahan with pesticide residues.