Analysis of the chemical composition and glyphosate residue in Conilon coffee beans

Abstract

D ue to the concern with the contamination of food by pesticides, especially coffee, the aim of this study was to analyze the chemical composition and glyphosate residue in Conilon coffee beans with and without defects and harvested at different times after applying the herbicide. The experiment was in a split-plot design, with the presence or absence of defects in the beans comprising the subplots, and the periods of 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after applying the herbicide corresponding to the split plots. We analyzed the volatile compounds, bioactive compounds, and glyphosate residue in the beans. Regardless of the presence or absence of defects, there was an increase in the concentrations of bioactive compounds in the raw Conilon coffee beans as the interval between applying the herbicide and harvesting the beans was increased. The most abundant volatile compounds per percentage area belonged to the pyrazines, furans and phenols. The amount of glyphosate residue found in the beans exceeded the maximum detectable limit by the ELISA method regardless of the time between application and harvest, corresponding to values that are unacceptable to several purchasing countries, and making the samples unsuitable for export and a risk to food safety.