Pesticide Residue Levels in Melon Samples Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry



Shoeibi S¹ ; Amirahmadi M¹ ; Jannat B² ; Hajimahmoodi M³ ; Goodarzi IM⁴ ; Behzad M⁴ ; Sadeghi N^{2, 3, 5}
Source: Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Published:2017

Abstract

Background and purpose: Widespread use of plant pesticides in agriculture resulted in increasing concerns about pesticide hazards. In this research, the residual levels of pesticides in melons were evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Materials and methods: In this study, 75 samples of melons in Tehran market were used for simultaneous analysis of a variety of common pesticides in melons by GC/MS in two modes of scanning and SIM (Selected Ion Monitoring). Results: Among the samples, 8% were found with different types of residual pesticides, including pirimicarb (0.007 µg/g), dimethoate (0.03 µg/g), metalaxyl (0.015 µg/g), Alpha-endosulfan (0.012 µg/g), and permethrin (0.008 µg/g). All contaminations were less than the limits set by the Codex and the United States of America (P< 0.05). Conclusion: The standard limitations of pesticides in melons are not yet recommended in Iran, so, current findings could be used by authorities in determining these residual limits. © 2017, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.