Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Commonly Used Fruits in Hyderabad Region, Pakistan

Abstract

A market based survey was carried out to evaluate the level of 26 pesticides in some commonly used fruits in Hyderabad region, Pakistan. Gas chromatography coupled with micro electron capture detector was used to assess the levels of pesticide residues. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was also applied for the confirmation of results. Out of total 131 analyzed samples, 53 (40%) were found contaminated with pesticide residues while only 3 (2%) samples were exceeded the MRLs of some pesticides. Chlorpyrifos and dieldrin were detected in almost all analyzed samples. Residues of chlorpyrifos (1256 µg/kg) and endosulfan sulfate (1236 µg/kg) were found higher in orange and apple samples, respectively. The findings of this study provided important data about contamination of pesticide residue in some fruits sold in Hyderabad, Pakistan, and recommended that monitoring studies should be expanded to other fruits grown in different agro climatic regions, which may serve as basis for future policy about the standards and quality control of pesticides.