Investigation of pesticides residues and non-cancer risk assessment in apple product of Maragheh county in 2020

Abstract

Background and objective: Fresh fruits and vegetables are important as a significant source of important vitamins and minerals in the human diet. However, due to improper and excessive use of pesticides, fruits can contain residues of these dangerous compounds. The presence of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables has adverse effects on human health and has caused great concern among consumers. Considering the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables in the daily diet, regular monitoring of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables is essential. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of pesticides and evaluate the non-cancerous risk of pesticide residues in apple production of Maragheh County in 2020. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 14 samples of the apples were randomly collected from the central fruit and vegetable field of Maragheh in a period of 4 months. In total, in 42 samples (without washing, with washing, with peeling) the residual of 23 pesticides after sample preparation and extraction using QuEChERS method were determined using GC/MS. Non-cancer risk assessment of pesticide residues in apple samples was also performed for both age groups of adults (man and woman) and children. Finally, the analysis of the results was performed using SPSS 26 software. Results and discussion: In 4 samples, the residual of studied pesticides were below the limit of detection. In 10 samples, the residual of thirteen pesticides was detected. 100% of the samples at least 8 pesticide residues were detected and 93.33% of the samples (28 samples) contained 9 residues, 83.33% of the samples (25 samples) contained 10 residues and 76.66% of the samples (23 samples) contained more than 10 pesticide residues. The maximum concentrations in apple samples belonged to Chlorpyrifos pesticide with 1.05 mg/kg. The average residues of pesticides after washing and peeling processes were decreased 45.33% and 80.1%, respectively. With the exception of Diazinon, Fenthion, Ethion and Azinphos methyl pesticides, all other pesticides contained residues higher than allowed limit of Iranian standard. With the exception of Diazinon, Fenthion, Parathion and Azinphos-methyl pesticides, all other pesticides contained residues higher than the allowed limit of European standard in all samples. The pesticide of Chlorpyrifos with hazard quotient (HQ) values of 0.11, 0.13, and 0.51 had the highest health risk in men, women and children, respectively. The results of cumulative health risks assessment of multiple residues of pesticide indicated that hazard index (HI) values mean due to the consumption of unwashed apples for men, women and children were 0.55, 0.67, and 2.7, respectively. Also, the mean and maximum of HI values due to the consumption of washed apples for children were 1.46 and 2.42, respectively. Conclusion: In general, the mean residual of pesticides in 100% of apple samples (unwashed, washed, and peeled) was higher than MRL. The results also showed that children than adults and women more than men are more at risk of multiple residues of pesticides. The results of the cumulative risk assessment showed that the health risk does not threaten age groups of adults due to the consumption of washed apples, while children are at risk due to consumption of washed apples and only consumption of peeled apples is not dangerous for children.