Monitoring of Pesticide Residues in Cucumber Samples Marketed in Egypt

Abstract

Pesticide residues in vegetables are considered a potential risk to consumers and a human health concern. Herein, we performed determination and quantification of pesticides, metabolites, and isomers residues by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS in cucumber samples collected from six markets in two governorates in Egypt, i.e. Giza (Dokki) and Assiut (El-Zahraa, El-Gomhoria, El-Welidia, El-Fath, and Abnoub). As a result, a total of 12 pesticide residues were found. One of them slightly exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRLs) (Thiophanate-methyl= 0.12 mg/kg). Iprodione and propamocarb were the most frequently found pesticides. Furthermore, there were no health risk index recorded among the pesticide residues. A regular pesticide residues analysis program should be applied to monitoring and determine the pesticide residues in vegetables to keep the food safe in Egypt.