Determination of Organochlorine and Pyrethroid Pesticide Residues in Some Vegetables by QuEChERS Method and Gas Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Amaranthushybridus (spinach), hibiscus esculentus (okra) and Telfairiaoccidentalis (fluted pumpkin leaves) are three staple vegetables commonly consumed by residents of Minna, Nigeria. The cultivation of these vegetables is accompanied by the use of pesticides and other agrochemicals.Most of these pesticides are resistant to physical, chemical and biological degradation and remain as residues accumulating in both aquatic and terrestrial food webs causing some diverse health effects to humans and animal. The concentration of organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticide residues in Amaranthushybridus (spinach), hibiscus esculentus (okra) and Telfairiaoccidentalis (fluted pumpkin) sampled from seven farms in Minna, Nigeria were investigated using gas chromatographytriple quadrupole mass spectrometry. The analysis showed the presence of cypermethrin in concentration range of 0.51 to 9.95 µg/mL in two samples of spinach. The presence of heptachlor was however not confirmed in these samples. None of the pesticides under investigation was detected in any of the okra and fluted pumpkin samples.