Fast and Easy Method of 55 Pesticide Residues Determination in Commonly Fruits and Vegetables Collected from Egyptian Local Markets

Abstract

The highest concerns of consumers who need food safety are pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. In this study, a total fifty-five pesticide residues from different chemical groups including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, acaricides and others compounds were detected in different kinds of fruits (apple, grapes, and guava) and vegetables (squash, cucumber, tomatoes, pepper and cantaloupe) collected from local markets in Cairo Governorate. The method is based on a modified QuEChERS procedure (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged & safe) using acetonitrile for extraction and partition.. Analytical determinations of the 55 pesticides were carried out with gas chromatography using micro electron capture detector (µECD) and flame photometric detector (FPD).. The data obtained indicated that, the mean recoveries of the pesticides were between 81.20 and 98.70 %. The detection limits (LOD) and quantification limits (LOQ) of pesticide residues for the method were ranged (0.002 - 0.009 µg/g) and between 0.01 - 0.05 (µg/g), respectively. Of the 55 pesticides analyzed,32 (58.2%), 31(56.4), and 34(61.8) of pesticide residues were detected in the apple, grapes and guava respectively, while 30(54.5%), 31(56.4%), 30(54.5%) 24(43.6) and 27(49.1) of pesticide residues were detected in the squash, cucumber, tomatoes, pepper and cantaloupe respectively. The percentages of pesticide residues that exceeded the MRLs in both fruits and vegetables (apple. grape and guava) were12.7%, 16.4% and 16. (squash, cucumber, tomatoes pepper and cantaloupe) were 5.5%, 7.3%, 3.6%, 9.1% % and 3.6% respectively.