Determination of Pesticide Residues in Grapes Consumed in Natura and for Juice and Wine Production by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS)

Abstract

The grape is the fifth most consumed fruit around the world with a production of approximately 85 million tons that requires pesticide use; however, some of these compounds may damage to the environment, as well as have implications for human and animal health. Therefore, the present work aims to evaluate the pesticide residues present in grapes of different varieties for in natura consumption as well as for production of wine and juice. As a result, the methodology was validated having limits of quantification ranging from 14.86 (for chlorantraniliprole) to 308.01 µg L−1 (for etofenprox), recovery values between 82 and 119%, and relative standard deviations less than 20%. Thus, the method was applied to 10 real samples produced in south Brazil, targeting 92 pesticides of different classes by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS). Approximately 80% of the samples have residues of at least one compound, including 6 pesticides not approved for grape cultivation: atrazine, carbaryl, carbendazim, etoxazole, malathion, and simazine. Fenarimol is allowed to be used in this culture in Brazil; however, it was present in a concentration higher than its maximum residue level (MRL) in 57% of the samples. Thus, in this work, we present the application of a valid method by HLC-HRMS for grapes. These results show that, regardless of the variety and purpose of the grapes, many pesticides are present in this fruit, requiring greater control by farmers as well as supervisory bodies because the toxicological effects of these compounds in high concentrations have already been demonstrated in both consumers and farmers who have been directly exposed.