Occurrence, dissipation and processing factors of multi-pesticides in goji berry

Abstract

Goji berry is consumed worldwide in the form of fresh, dried and juice, and as medicine and food homology; however, pesticide residues have become one of the problems that essentially threaten its quality during cultivation and processing. In this study, a total of 75 dried goji berries were sampled from markets across China, and for the determination of 62 analytes, 29 pesticides were identified. Nine pesticides with high detectable rates and residual levels were selected for folia spraying, and their half-lives were found to range from 1.04 to 2.21 d. The processing factors (PFs) of juice were between 0.25 and 1.02, and this was mainly related with their logKow values. Washing could reduce pesticides residues to varying degrees with the removal rate between 17.00% and 74.05%. Sun drying with higher PF values in the range of 0.61-5.91 exhibited more obvious enrichment effect compared to oven drying. Commercial goji berry had cumulative chronic dietary risks with the hazard index (HI) values of 1.61%-4.97%. Its acute risk quotients (HQas) for consumers were 543.32%-585.92% and were mainly due to insecticides. These results provide important references for rationalizing pesticide application during goji berry cultivation and for the improvement of process to ensure food safety. Environmental ImplicationAs a medicine and food homologous substance, there have been limited researches on pesticide residues in goji berries. The irrational use of pesticides has a strong negative impact on the environment and human health, as well affects the development of goji berry. This study revealed the pollution situation of pesticides in the market samples of goji berry, and investigated the residual variation during its cultivation and processing of pesticides with frequent marketable occurrence. The research provides reliable basic data for future pesticide management in goji berry.