Journal of Food: Microbiologia, Segurança e Higiene
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Abstrato

Determination of Imidacloprid Residues in Fruits and Vegetables from Amman (Jordan) Using Gc-Ms

Jehad S Al Hawadi

Assessment for presence and quantification of pesticide levels in fruits and vegetables that are among the main food sources is vital. Studies of this nature allow for gauging the extent of potential contamination and inform measures for human health preservation. We sought to establish the residual levels of imidacloprid in fruits and vegetables with reference to their dietary intake assessment in Amman, Jordan. Three hundred samples of local fruit and vegetables from Amman (Jordan) have therefore been collected for imidacloprid analysis in this study. The 1993 Placke and Weber method was use in the extraction and oxidation of imidacloprid including its derivatives into these samples and subsequent quantification by GC-MS was performed. Imidacloprid was found in 119 (39.7%) of the examined samples. The peak concentration (1.30 mg/kg) was found in an eggplant sample. All fruit and vegetable samples, except apricot, carrot, peaches, and okra samples had detectable imidacloprid levels. Green beans and banana had at least in three samples positive for imidacloprid, while all eggplant samples were imidacloprid positive. We also found that 8.3% of the analyzed samples had concentrations exceeding the Codex MRL whereas 2.7% of these samples had concentrations higher than the Canadian MRL. Although high imidacloprid residues were detected in samples of banana, eggplant and watermelon, their dietary intake assessment quantities were within limits that are considered as safe.