Abstract
A multi-residue quantitative method in combination with liquid and gas chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry, was employed to monitor 281 pesticide residus in the most consumed vegetables at the wholesale markets in Egypt during 2018. Among 506 samples analyzed, 66 different pesticide residues were detected in 405 samples (80%) whereas, 260 samples (51%) contaminated with levels lower than maximum residue limits and 145 samples (29%) were violated. The highest violation was observed at (60%, 58%, 46% and 33%) in parsley followed by pepper, beans and coriander, respectively. Chlorpyrifos, profenofos malathion, lambda-cyhalothrin and metalaxyl were the most frequently detected pesticides. Data Monitored was used for estimating the potential health risks associated with the exposures to the detected pesticides. The highest hazard index was found in tomato for emmactin benzoate (10%) against the acceptable daily intake value for adults. Tomato was the most contributing commodity to the chronic exposure representing 56% to the total risk. The values of cumulative exposure for carbamates, heterocyclic, organophosphorus, pyrethroids, and other groups were calculated and found to be < 1 (0.006-0.256), indicating no risk to consumers due to the exposure to pesticide residues in Egyptian-fresh vegetables. The results showed that despite the high presence of pesticide residues in some vegetables, they did not pose any health risks to consumers
Highlights
Fresh daily consumed vegetables are considered a follow-essential source for a healthy food and balanced diet [1]
One to two kilograms of each plant crop were prepared for examination against 281 pesticide residues according to Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) guidelines, 1993 [17]
The number of samples analyzed per each vegetable crop, detectable pesticides with their mean concentration range in mg/kg and violated compounds of each pesticide/commodity are illustrated in (Table 2)
Summary
Fresh daily consumed vegetables are considered a follow-essential source for a healthy food and balanced diet [1] They rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, fibers, lipids and many of a supplementary nutrients. Farmers worldwide use different groups of pesticides including organophosphorus, organochlrine, pyrethroids and carbamates in order to control diseases, protect crops, get high quality foodstuff to increase the agricultural production in line with population growth demands [2]. Pesticides are chemical compounds used during cultivation, post-harvest treatment, production and storage of agricultural products [3]. During their applications, pesticide residues have harmful, longterm and lethal effects on human health like heart diseases and Alzheimer's [4&5]. Misuse and application of pesticides are widely used in both the developed and developing countries [7]
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