Determination of Residual Pesticides in Selected Grains, Fruits and Vegetables Commercially Sold in Eke Awka Market, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Six samples from cucumber (Cucumis sativus), apple (Malus domestica), cabbage (Brassica oleracea), Tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus), Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), Green peas (Pisum sativum) were purchased from Eke Awka market, Awka in Anambra state, and were evaluated for their residual pesticides. Estimation of Pesticides residues were carried out using American Public Health Association Method. The result of the pesticide residues analysis showed that all the samples contain pesticide residues but the most prevalent one was Isopropylamine. The pesticide residues in beans have highest concentration of Isopropylamine (0.094 0.001%), followed by cucumber (0.058 0.01%) and then apple (0.040 0.001%) while the least was cabbage (0.023 0.001%). Among all samples studied, beans have the highest level of pesticide residues (0.245 mg/kg) followed by Apple (0.206 mg/kg) and cucumber (0.178 mg/kg) and least was cabbage (0.121mg/kg). Among all the pesticides studied, lindane was above maximum residue limit (0.01 mg/kg) in apple and tiger nut (0.048 0.001%) and 0.043 0.001%) respectively Conclusion: Pesticide residues in most of the samples analyzed were above limits which portends danger. There is urgent need to for action by policy makers and farmers respectively. Keywords: Pesticide residue, Grains, Fruits, Vegetables