Pesticide Residues In Fresh Vegetables Research Articles

Quantitative determination and removal of pesticide residues in fresh vegetables and fruit products by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS.

Pesticides are the potent agrochemicals used to successfully manage, repel, or stop pests and weeds in agricultural production. This study analyzed 222 pesticide active substances in 90 samples of seven different vegetables and fruits acquired from producers through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) technology. The validation parameters of each pesticide's active substances were determined. The LOD, LOQ values, and recovery studies of the 222 active substances were 3.00, 10.00ng/g, and between 76.07 and 108.08%, respectively. The correlation coefficients and measurement uncertainty were determined to be between 0.990-0.999 and 8.91-31.46%, respectively. There were active substances of chlorpyrifos, acetamiprid, azoxystrobin, difenoconazole, malathion, dieldrin, boscalid, triticonazole, tebuconazole, triadimenol, trifloxystrobin, pirimicarb, and dodine among the vegetable and fruit samples used in the study. There were no active substances in 55 (61%) samples. Among the 35 samples (39%), 31 samples (34%) contained only one active substance, whereas four (5%) contained two active substances. However, the amount of active substances in six (7%) samples was above the maximum residue levels (MRL) limits. Various processes used in the study revealed that peeling was the most effective pesticide residue removal strategy. The washing procedure also proved that it reduced some pesticide residues but failed to eliminate all pesticides. The peeling process successfully reduced a significant amount of the active substances from the products, however, residues remained. Washing the fruits with hot water was also effective in removing residues. As a result, analyses of the peeled sections yielded higher pesticide residue concentrations than those of the entire product.

Pesticide residues in fresh vegetables imported into the United Arab Emirates

Use of pesticides has drastically increased in many countries. Unfortunately, excessive administration of pesticides may cause adverse health and environment effects. The present study assessed pesticide residues in 5560 vegetable samples that entered the United Arab Emirates (UAE) via ports of the Dubai Emirate during 2018 and 2019. Pesticide residues in vegetables were determined by liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The presentation of the monitoring results was based on the maximum residue limit (MRL) criteria defined by European regulations for each pesticide in each product. A total of 79 different pesticides were identified in the tested samples. Pesticide residues at levels above the MRLs were detected in 30.5% of the samples. Overall, 15 pesticides (acephate, bifenthrin, carbendazim, chlorfenapyr, chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, dimethoate, hexaconazole, metalaxyl, methamidophos, monocrotophos, omethoate, profenofos, tebuconazole, and triazophos) were detected above their MRLs in more than 50 samples. The results underline the need for continuous monitoring of pesticides in vegetables imported into the UAE.

Impact of sonolytic ozonation (O3/US) on degradation of pesticide residues in fresh vegetables and fruits: Case study of Faisalabad, Pakistan

High pesticide residues in fresh produce is a serious food safety issue. This study was aimed at assessing the pesticides residues in some important vegetables and fruits marketed in Faisalabad, Pakistan and the impact of sonolytic ozonation (O3/US) treatment in removing these contaminants. From a short grower’s survey, five registered and mostly used pesticides (acetamiprid, carbendazim, imidacloprid, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam) were identified. A time optimization trial of O3/US application (05, 10 and 15 min) on okra, showed that 10 min treatment significantly reduced three identified chemicals (thiamethoxam 100 %, imidacloprid and thiacloprid 97.17 %), without any adverse effect on its quality. In follow up trial, five fresh vegetables (cauliflower, chillies, cucumber, spinach and tomato) three fresh fruits (grapes, guava and peach) collected from three markets of Faisalabad, were pooled together to have uniform samples. Vegetables and fruits were treated with O3/US for 10 and 6 min, respectively, along with control (simple tap wash) for determining the impacts on pesticides degradation. Samples were processed for extraction, clean up and analysis using HPLC-UV–Vis in isocratic mode. The data revealed the presence of five mentioned chemicals, with an accumulative mean residue of 9.006 and 1.921 µg/g in tested vegetables and fruits, respectively. After subjecting to O3/US, the accumulative chemical residues were reduced to 3.214 µg/g (64.313 %) and 1.064 (44.6 %) in treated vegetables and fruits respectively. Irrespective of fresh produce, the mean residues of thiamethoxam, imidachloprid, acetamiprid and thiachloprid and carbendazim were reduced by 99.3 %, 52.6 %, 65.2 %, 87.3 % and 72% respectively. It was concluded that sonolytic ozonation treatment was effective in significant reduction of pesticide residues from vegetables and fruits and thus can be employed as a good food safety practice at culinary level to reduce the associated health hazardous risks.

Quantification of Pesticide Residues in Fresh Vegetables Available in Local Markets for Human Consumption and the Associated Health Risks

Human health risks as a result of consuming pesticide residues in fresh vegetables have drawn serious attention to the scientific community, particularly in developing countries. This study analyzed country bean (Lablab purpureus L.) and eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) for widely used neonicotinoid, synthetic pyrethroid, and dithiocarbamate pesticide residues in order to ensure food safety. The analyzed vegetables contained residues of acetamiprid and cypermethrin in 17% of bean and 13% of eggplant samples, respectively; among them, 3% of bean and 1% of eggplant samples had residues of acetamiprid that were above the maximum residue limits set by the European Union (EU-MRLs). None of the samples for either of the analyzed vegetables contained the residue of thiram and lambda-cyhalothrin. In contrast, 83% of bean and 87% of eggplant samples had no detectable pesticides. Thus, the findings were surprising considering the repeated and overuse of pesticides in vegetables in the investigated areas. However, this outcome supports the general claim of pesticide adulteration in terms of the active ingredients, which is another drawback to ensuring food safety. The non-cancer health risk assessment based on the acute health risk to consumer (aHI) and chronic hazard quotient (HQ) indicates that contaminated vegetables might pose a potential threat to children’s health and alarming for adults. This study reflects the overall scenario of pesticide residues in marketed vegetables of Barishal district of Bangladesh, which could help the consumers to bring awareness, and to take necessary actions by the pesticide suppliers and policymakers.

Consumption Safety Level of Carbamate, Organo Phosphate,Triazole,Neonicotinoid Pesticide Residues in the Fresh Vegetable Circulating in Bogor According to Analysis of Liquid Cromatography Spectrum Mass

ABSTRACT Misde Yola *, Patimah *,Mica Tri Kumala Swandari** *Lecturer at Department of Pharmacy and Food Analysis, Health Polytechnic of the Ministry of Health, Jakarta II ** Lecturer at Department of Pharmacy, Al-Islami College of Health Sciences Al-Itihad, Cilacap, Central Java email: misdeyola@gmail.com Purpose to determine carbamate , organophosphate, triazole, neonicotinoid pesticide residues in fresh vegetables are still safe for human consumption with Methods Analysis of carbamate residues such as carbofuran and malathion such as organophosphate and prefenofos, imidaclopid, difeconazole , acephate suc a single pesticide in fresh vegetables mustard, cucumber and cabbage. Vegetables come from traditional markets in the Bogor area. Before being analyzed the three vegetables were washed with mineral water, warm water at 60oC, kitchen salt water and vegetables before washing. The vegetables were homogeneous with a homo mixer blender at 800rpm and after that extracted with acetonitrile with vortex quenchers extraction kit (EN method) for 5 minutes, centrifuge for 5 minutes at 6000rpm speed, supernatant filter with PTFE 13mmx0.22, then input 1 ml supernatant vortex for 5 minutes, centrifuge for 5 minutes at 6000rpm speed, supernatant filter with PTFE 13mmx0.22, then input 1 ml supernatant filtered into LC vials, injection with LCMSMS. Result none of the vegetables analyzed were positive for carbofuran and prefenofos. Conclusion: Consumption of fresh vegetables weighing 20 g / day is still safe for consumption Keywords: LC-MS / MS., Carbamate., organophosphate, a single pesticide

Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Fresh Vegetables from Three Major Markets in Lagos Using QuEChERS Method and GC-MS

The study evaluates pesticide residues in fresh vegetables from three major markets in Lagos and verified compliance of these fresh vegetables with the maximum residue levels (MRLs) as specified by Codex Alimentarius Commission. The residues were extracted by means of multi residue method based on the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method, Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine two organophosphates (dichlorvos and chlorpyrifos), two organochlorines (endosulfanII and chlorothalonil), two carbamates (carbaryl and carbofuran) and two pyrethroids(alpha-cypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin). Fifteen samples of five common vegetables (cabbage, lettuce, fluted pumpkin, bitter leaf and African spinach) were analyzed. The linear ranged used were 0.005, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0mg/l, resulting to r2 of ≥0.996. While the mean recoveries obtained for two fortification levels (0.1 and 0.25 ppm) in three replicates for lettuce control sample and spinach control sample were 96.7 to 104.3%, 96.3 to 101.3%, and 92.0 to 114.3% ,92.1 to102.1% respectively. A satisfactory precision of RSD<20% was recorded. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of Quantitation (LOQ) were between 0.005 -0.050 mg/kg and 0.015-0.150 mg/kg respectively. Pesticide residues detected ranges from 0.025-0.529 mg/kg. EndosulfanII, Chlorothalonil, carbaryl and Carbofuran were not detected during the entire study. However, pesticide residues detected were below the MRLs specified by Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Screening of Pesticide Residues in Fresh Vegetables and Fruits by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS

Screening of Pesticide Residues in Fresh Vegetables and Fruits by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS

Biological pest management by predators and parasitoids in the greenhouse vegetables in China

China has the highest greenhouse-based production in the world. In 2010, the area of greenhouses devoted to vegetable production was estimated at 4.7 million ha. With the increasing costs of pest control, expanding pesticide resistance and the growing consumer concern regarding pesticide residues in fresh vegetables, a strong demand for applying non-chemical control methods is emerging in China. Biological control in the greenhouse environment is a viable alternative to pesticide use from both environmental and economic perspectives. Although we have only 17 cases of fully documented, successful biological control operations from China, involving 8 crops, 8 pest species and 14 species of natural enemies, the use of the biological control agents is much more widespread. There are 7 commercial companies and facilities producing 21 species of natural enemies, and most of them are available country-wide. Several of these employ a rearing system using artificial diets, and many now move to an integrated production system, including the mass production of the biocontrol agents, quality control, methods of long-distance transportation, release recommendations, and user feedback. While initially these systems relied on introduced natural enemies, they increasingly develop modified systems using native natural enemies. The increasing demand for pesticide-free, high quality vegetable produce year-round and the existing certification schemes make it very likely that the use of biocontrol agents will continue to increase in China.

Effect of the Distribution of Analyte Concentration in Lot, Sample Size, and Number of Analytical Runs on Food-Testing Results

In testing, it is necessary to obtain the correct measured values that reflect analyte concentrations in the lot. Control of the analytical performance and appropriate sampling are essential to obtain the correct values. In the present study, we estimated the distribution of the analyte concentrations in specific food product lots and examined the influence of the sample size and the number of analytical runs on the variability of the testing results. The combinations of analyte and food studied were pesticide residues in fresh vegetables, nitrate in fresh vegetables, and food additives in processed meat products. The results of our study suggested the following: an increase in the sample size beyond a certain number does not efficiently reduce the variability of the test results; the specific sample size required to maintain the variability of the testing results at an appropriate level depends on the breadth of distribution of concentrations in the lot and the precision of the analysis; and increasing the number of analytical runs was more efficient in reducing the variability of the testing results than increasing the sample size, when the breadth of distribution of concentrations in the lot was narrow enough to be comparable with the analytical precision.

Determination of carbamate and urea pesticide residues in fresh vegetables using microwave-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography

An analytical multiresidue method for the simultaneous determination of seven pesticides in fresh vegetable samples, namely, courgette (Cucurbita pepo), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), lettuce (Lactuca sativa, Romaine and Iceberg varieties) and peppers (Capsicum sp.) is described. The procedure, based on microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and analysis by liquid chromatography–photodiode array (LC–PDA) detection was applied to four carbamates (carbofuran, carbaryl, chlorpropham and EPTC) and three urea pesticides (monolinuron, metobromuron and linuron). Extraction solvent and the addition of anhydrous sodium sulphate to fresh vegetable homogenate before MAE were the parameters optimised for each commodity. Recovery studies were performed using spiked samples in the range 250–403 µg kg−1 in each pesticide. The pesticide residues were extracted using 20 mL acetonitrile at 60°C, for 10 min. Acceptable recoveries and RSDs were attained (overall average recovery of 77.2% and RSDs are lower than 11%). Detection limits ranged between 5.8 µg kg−1 for carbaryl to 12.3 µg kg−1 for carbofuran. The analytical protocol was applied for quality control of 41 fresh vegetable samples bought in Oporto Metropolitan Area (North Portugal). None of the samples contained any detectable amounts of the studied compounds.

Persistence and distribution of pesticide residues in fresh agricultural food consumed in the province of Bologna

The presence of pesticide residues in fresh vegetables and fruit have been qualitatively and quantitatively determined at the laboratories of the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA), Division of the Province of Bologna. More than 1,700 samples have been tested by routine analyses. The possible risks for consumers have been evaluated by various parameters. The most important ones were: the amount of each residue; the respective ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) limit; the contemporary presence of different residues; an estimation of the daily intake, based on the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed per person. It has been possible to evaluate that the daily intake of pesticide residues in the province of Bologna during the period 2003–06 resulted lower than the ADI limits concerning the vegetables. According to the information on fruit consumption the daily intake of omethoate (O,O-dimethyl S-methylcarbamoylmethyl phosphorothioate) resulted higher than its ADI limit, of dicofol (2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-bis(trichloromethyl)benzenemethanol) very close to the admitted limit, under the respective limits for all the other residues.

Analysis of Eight Organophosphorus Pesticide Residues in Fresh Vegetables Retailed in Agricultural Product Markets of Nanjing, China

A method to effectively remove pigments in fresh vegetables using activated carbon followed cleanup through solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge to further reduce matrix interference and contamination, was established to determine eight organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) by gas chromatography (GC) with nitrogen-phosphorus detection (NPD) in this study, and it has been successfully applied for the determination of eight OPPs in various fresh vegetables with the recoveries ranging from 61.8% to 107%. To evaluate eight OPPs residue level, some fresh vegetables retailed at three agricultural product markets (APM) of Nanjing in China were detected, the results showed that phorate in Shanghai green (0.0257 microg g(-1)) and Chinese cabbage (0.0398 microg g(-1)), dimethoate in Shanghai green (0.0466-0.0810 microg g(-1)), Chinese cabbage (0.077 microg g(-1)), and spinach (0.118-0.124 microg g(-1)), methyl-parathion in Shanghai green (0.0903 microg g(-1)), Chinese cabbage (0.157 microg g(-1)), and spinach (0.0924 microg g(-1)), malathion in Shanghai green (0.0342-0.0526 microg g(-1)), chorpyrifos in spinach (0.106-0.204 microg g(-1)), and Chinese cabbage (0.149 microg g(-1)), chlorfenvinfos in carrot (0.094-0.131 microg g(-1)), were found. However, fonofos and fenthion were not detected in all the collected vegetable samples.

Multi-residue method for determination of pesticides in vegetable samples by GC-MS-MS

A method for detection, quantification, and confirmation of 30 multi-class pesticide residues in fresh vegetables by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS) has been developed. The optimum ionization mode, electron impact (El-MS-MS) or chemical ionization (Cl-MS-MS), was used for different groups of pesticides in a single run. The residues were previously extracted from vegetables with dichloromethane. A 10μL aliquot of the extract can be injected in routine analysis without a clean up step when the glass liner is used with Carbofrit. Recovery efficiencies ranged 70–119% at the two different fortification levels studied and the relative standard deviation was <16.9% for all compounds. The limit of detection of each compound was 30 ng Kg−1−6 μg Kg−1. The proposed method was applied to the routine analysis of pesticides in vegetables grown in an important greenhouses area located in El Ejido (Almeria, Spain).

Application to routine analysis of a method to determine multiclass pesticide residues in fresh vegetables by gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry.

The use of gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) applied to determine multiple pesticide residues in fresh vegetables has been thoroughly studied. A single injection method to detect, confirm and quantify 54 multiclass pesticides has been developed and applied in a routine analysis laboratory. The proposed method consists of a rapid extraction of 15 g of vegetable sample with dichloromethane. An additional clean-up step is not necessary even when injecting 10 microL of extract. Instead the gas chromatograph was fitted with a carbofrit inserted into the glass liner and a guard column. In addition, the detection mode chosen (MS/MS) provides additional selectivity. The method has been validated and applied to 1300 samples in a routine laboratory following specified quality criteria. The recovery efficiencies obtained for all the pesticides ranged between 70.2 and 110.8% at two different fortification levels. The relative standard deviation for quantification (RSD) was lower than 16.7% for all the compounds. Important experimental parameters, such as the conditioning of carbofrit, overload of the analytical column, and cleanliness of the ion trap, were evaluated for their influence on the performance of the method.

Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Fresh Vegetables, Fruits, and Other Selected Food Items in Belgium, 1991-1993

To estimate the exposure of the Belgian population to food contaminated with pesticide residues and to determine what pesticides people are actually consuming, a total diet study-individual approach-was performed. Fourteen kinds of fruits, 22 kinds of vegetables, and 7 other food items (coffee, drinking water, rice, tea, wine, bran, and wheat flour) were selected as major representatives of the Belgian diet. During the 2 years of study (April 1991-March 1993), about 3,698 samples were analyzed and 21 163 analyses were performed. The first part of this study demonstrates that no residues are found in 31.3% of leafy vegetables, 72.3% of other vegetables, 51.4% of fruits, and 67.2% of other samples. In particular cases, some critical situations still exist, especially for leafy vegetables. Also, contamination of foreign samples is not easy to determine, because origins are not always traceable.