Pesticide contamination and effects of peeling on pesticide residues in tomatoes from the markets : a case study of Iringa Municipality
Loading...
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Tomato is the most consumed horticultural crop in the world due to its economic and
nutritional benefits. The crop is very susceptible to pest infestation making the use of
pesticides during production inevitable. Consumption of tomatoes contaminated with
pesticide residues has been associated with both chronic and acute health risks to human.
This study was aimed at assessing awareness and pesticide residues in tomatoes from
selected markets in Iringa region of Tanzania together with assessing effects of peeling on
reduction of pesticides. Seven pesticides (Profenofose, Chlorpyrifose, Cypermethrine,
Hexaconazole, Lambda cyhalothrin, Endosulfan and Chlorothalonil) were analyzed in
tomatoes by a using Gas Chromatography tandem mass-mass with time of fight (GC-
MSMS-TOF) after extraction with quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe
(QuEChERS) methodologies. The results showed that all sellers were aware on pesticides
contamination in tomatoes and none of them applied pesticides prior to sell. Peeling
tomatoes reduced pesticide contamination by 35—100% depending on the type of
pesticides and the original pesticide levels before peeling. Thirty-four percent (34%) of
samples didn’t comply with EU MRLs on ʎ- Cyhalothrin, (28%) chloripyrifos, (25%)
hexaconazole and (22%) chlorothalonil. All the samples had lower health risk index,
however cumulatively continuing using tomatoes with low level of pesticides will lead to
increased concentration in the system. Therefore, the proper use of pesticides is
encouraged to minimize residues in the agricultural products that will reduce health risks
upon their consumption.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Pesticide contamination, Pesticide residues peeling, Tomatoes pesticide, Iringa Municipality, Tomatoes contaminated consumption