Evaluation of Pesticide Residues in Vegetables from the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study's aim was to determine the pesticide residues in 10 different vegetable commodities from the Asir region, Saudi Arabia. We evaluated 211 vegetable samples, collected from supermarkets between March 2018 and September 2018, for a total of 80 different pesticides using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) after extraction with a multi-residue method (the QuEChERS method). The results were assessed according to the maximum residue limit (MRL) provided by European regulations for each pesticide in each commodity. All lettuce, cauliflower, and carrot samples were found to be free from pesticide residues. A total of 145 samples (68.7%) contained detectable pesticide residues at or lower than MRLs, and 44 samples (20.9%) contained detectable pesticide residues above MRLs. MRL values were exceeded most often in chili pepper (14 samples) and cucumber (10 samples). Methomyl, imidacloprid, metalaxyl, and cyproconazole were the most frequently detected pesticides. Based on the results of this study, we recommend that a government-supported program for the monitoring of pesticide residues in vegetables be established to promote consumers' health and achieve sustainable farming systems. Author Contributions: M.F.A.R.: Ideas; formulation and evolution of overarching research goals and aims. M.M.A.A.-H.: Performing the experiments, instrumentation and data interpretation, application of statistical and computational techniques to analyze and study data. M.M.F.A.: Application of statistical, mathematical, computational, and other formal techniques to analyze or synthesize study data, or data/evidence collection. H.A.A.: Management activities to annotate (produce metadata), scrub data and maintain research data. M.A.A.: Conducting a research and investigation process. Provision of study materials, laboratory samples. A.A.S.: Application of statistical, mathematical, computational, and other formal techniques to analyze or synthesize study data. H.A.S.: Development and design of methodology; creation of models. N.S.A.: Acquisition of the financial support for the project leading to this publication. Management and coordination responsibility for the research activity planning and execution. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Yeasts and Bacterial Consortia from Kefir Grains Are Effective Biocontrol Agents of Postharvest Diseases of Fruits

“…Fungal pathogens are the main cause of postharvest losses in fruits and vegetables during storage, shipment, and post-consumer purchase [1,2]. In most crops, the pre and/or postharvest applications of synthetic fungicides have been the main approach used to control decay [3]. Nevertheless, chemical-based control approaches have been under mounting scrutiny by the public and regulatory authorities due to their negative effects on human and animal health, as well as the environment in general [3].…”

“…In most crops, the pre and/or postharvest applications of synthetic fungicides have been the main approach used to control decay [3]. Nevertheless, chemical-based control approaches have been under mounting scrutiny by the public and regulatory authorities due to their negative effects on human and animal health, as well as the environment in general [3]. This concern has been the main driving force of research to identify effective and more eco-friendly methods for the management of postharvest fungal diseases [1,4].…”

Fate of Pyriproxyfen in Soils and Plants

“…Again pyriproxyfen was not found [50]. Ten different vegetable commodities from the Asir region (Saudi Arabia) were evaluated for their pesticide contamination [51]. In this context, 211 samples were collected from supermarkets in which 80 pesticides (including pyriproxyfen) were analyzed.…”

“…On the 22 potato samples analyzed, pyriproxyfen was also found twice with concentrations of 0.013 and 0.026 mg/kg. Unfortunately, the LOD and LOQ values were not specifically given for pyriproxyfen [51]. Two hundred date (Phoenix dactylifera var Sukkari) samples (1-2 kg each) were collected from large markets in the Al-Qassim region in Saudi Arabia during 2016 to evaluate their potential contamination in pesticides [52].…”

Rapid and Sensitive Immunochromatographic Method-Based Monoclonal Antibody for the Quantitative Detection of Metalaxyl in Tobacco

“…As the use of fungicides in agriculture has gradually increased, the problems they cause have also attracted worldwide attention. 9 Because of the high toxicity and long-term persistence of fungicides, they can often pollute the environment through a variety of ways, including spraying, soil seepage, and storage and discharge of wastewater, which may cause pollution of the ground and surface water 10 and cause public health problems. 11 In addition, studies have reported that Met may have an effect on mammalian metabolic mechanisms; 12 therefore, the abuse of fungicides also poses a potential risk to wildlife and human health.…”