Determination of 17 Organophosphate Pesticide Residues in Mango by Modified QuEChERS Extraction Method Using GC-NPD/GC-MS and Hazard Index Estimation in Lucknow, India

Abstract

A total of 162 samples of different varieties of mango: Deshehari, Langra, Safeda in three growing stages (Pre-mature, Unripe and Ripe) were collected from Lucknow, India, and analyzed for the presence of seventeen organophosphate pesticide residues. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method of extraction coupled with gas chromatography was validated for pesticides and qualitatively confirmed by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry. The method was validated with different concentrations of mixture of seventeen organophosphate pesticides (0.05, 0.10, 0.50 mg kg−1) in mango. The average recovery varied from 70.20% to 95.25% with less than 10% relative standard deviation. The limit of quantification of different pesticides ranged from 0.007 to 0.033 mg kg−1. Out of seventeen organophosphate pesticides only malathion and chlorpyriphos were detected. Approximately 20% of the mango samples have shown the presence of these two pesticides. The malathion residues ranged from ND-1.407 mg kg−1 and chlorpyriphos ND-0.313 mg kg−1 which is well below the maximum residues limit (PFA-1954). In three varieties of mango at different stages from unpeeled to peeled sample reduction of malathion and chlorpyriphos ranged from 35.48%–100% and 46.66%–100% respectively. The estimated daily intake of malathion ranged from 0.032 to 0.121 µg kg−1 and chlorpyriphos ranged from zero to 0.022 µg kg−1 body weight from three different stages of mango. The hazard indices ranged from 0.0015 to 0.0060 for malathion and zero to 0.0022 for chlorpyriphos. It is therefore indicated that seasonal consumption of these three varieties of mango may not pose any health hazards for the population of Lucknow, city, India because the hazard indices for malathion and chlorpyriphos residues were below to one.

Organophosphate Pesticide Residue in Fruits and Vegetables

“…Alegantina et al, (2005) described a negative result or absence of the organophosphate residue, such as diazinon, chlorpyrifos, metidation, phention, phenitroin, phenthoate, profenofos, protiofos, triazophos, methamidophos and dimethoate, within tomatoes and lettuces from various traditional and supermarkets in Jakarta. Srivastava et al, (2014) showed the presence of low level organophosphate residue, Malathion and chlorpyrifos, in the mango examined in Lucknow, India. Putu et al, (2016) analyzed the presence of benzophenone, 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene, and ftalat acid, instead of organophosphate, in the strawberry samples from Candikuning Market, Bedugul, Bali.…”

Proposing new approaches for the risk characterisation of single chemicals and chemical mixtures: The source related Hazard Quotient (HQS) and Hazard Index (HIS) and the adversity specific Hazard Index (HIA)

“…This practise is misleading with regards estimation of the actual risk and should be discouraged. An example of this case is when chemicals are grouped on the basis of their assumed toxicity as in the case for organophosphorus (OP) pesticides which are known to cause neurological effects [19]. However, as we demonstrate in one of our case studies [27], the ADIs may be based on different critical effects and different than the generally assumed toxicity, again leading to an unrealistic risk assessment.…”

“…HQ and HI methodologies for risk characterisation, whilst considering a single route or a single source of exposure, have since been implemented in a number of studies. This is the case with many dietary studies where the estimation of risk has been associated with the concentrations of chemicals in a specific food item [[17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26]]. The lack of availability of data and/or the capacity to estimate actual aggregated exposure has likely driven the calculation of a HQ based on exposure to one food item only.…”

“…In similar studies assessing the risk to mixtures [19,25], HQ S were summed-up to derive a HI where the respective ADIs being derived for different adverse endpoints / critical effects. This practise is misleading with regards estimation of the actual risk and should be discouraged.…”

Co-exposure risks of pesticides residues and bacterial contamination in fresh fruits and vegetables under smallholder horticultural production systems in Tanzania

“…Pesticides residues have been found in food materials from both developed and developing countries [4,[9][10][11], but a higher prevalence of residues exceeding the MRLs are observed in food products from developing countries. These foods exceeding the tolerance of pesticide residues in foods are consumed by the general public, pausing public health concern due to increased risk of detrimental effects of pesticide exposure.…”