Verification of QuEChERS method for the analysis of pesticide residues in some fruits grown in Tokat province, Turkey, and their risk assessment

Abstract

This study determined pesticide residue levels in some fruits in Tokat province, Turkey and assessed health risks associated with the determined residues. A residue analytical method was validated to determine 260 pesticides by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Pesticide solutions (10 and 50 µg kg­¹) were applied to the pesticide-free apple matrix for the validation of the method. The linearities (R2), limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ) and mean recovery values of the pesticides ranged between 0.990-0.999, 0.83-3.00 μg kg­¹, 2.76-9.99 μg kg­¹ and 70.27-119.00%, respectively. The results were evaluated according to European Union maximum residue limits (EU-MRL). The residues were lower and higher than EU-MRL 37.7% and 32.1% of the tested samples, respectively. The residue levels of diflubenzuron in apple, permethrin in cherry, and dimethoate in pear, apple, and peach were higher than EU-MRL allowable limits. The results of health risk assessments indicated that omethoate and dimethoate have acute and chronic toxicity potential for the consumers. Hence, the pesticide use in the study area must be reduced to avoid health risks. Furthermore, alternative management methods should be developed to lower the use of pesticides.