STUDY OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE RESIDUES LEVEL IN FRESH AND DRIED TOMATOE FROM SELECTED FARMLANDS IN ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

In this study, organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues level in fresh and dried tomato from selected farmland in Zamfara State, Nigeria were determined in fresh and sundried portion of the samples. QuEChERS and GC-MS were used for sample preparation and analysis respectively. The results obtained shows the presence of OCPs residues including; α HCH, β HCH, Endosulfan I&II, isodrin, DDM, deildrin, and mitotane with concentration of 3.669mg/kg, 0.0100mg/kg, 0.1714mg/kg, 0.129mg/kg, 0.0067mg/kg, 0.0054mg/kg, 0.2734mg/kg,. The α HCH, endosulfan, isodrin and mitotane were above the maximum residual limit (MRL) in the fresh samples, below the MRL in dried samples, while endosulfan II, mitotane, and deildrine were below detection limit in dried tomato extracts. On the other hand α HCH and mitotane has hazard index of 2.737 and 1.012 respectively. It is therefore, recommended to the regulatory institutions in Nigeria for effective awareness and educates the farmers on the health effect of pesticides residues in our food and environment. Also encourage drying process when a high level of pesticide residues are suspected in the tomatoes. Keynote: Organochlorine, Pesticide residues, Fresh Tomato, GC-MS