Determination of Pesticides Residues in Some Fruits and Vegetables Imported to Iraq

A study was carried out in the laboratories of the National Center for Pesticides Control/State Board for Plant Protection / Ministry of Agriculture in 2010-2011. The aim was to determine the residues of some pesticides in fruits and vegetables imported to Iraq from neighboring countries （Jordan, Syria, Turkey and Iran）. Two types of fruits （apples and oranges） and two types of vegetables （tomatoes and cucumber） were selected for the purpose of this study. These fruits and vegetables are the most agricultural products imported for human consumption in Iraq. Samples were taken from different border points and from local markets. Extraction, clean up and analysis were then processed. The results indicated the presence of small amounts of residues of certain pesticides such as Deltamethrin and Abamectin and Thiamethoxam in some samples. However, these amounts were less than the limit allowed internationally. No indication was observed for the presence of other pesticides residues such as Bifenthrin Trticonazol and Imidacloprid ... etc. in the samples analyzed. Therefore, there is a need to continuity of inspection on pesticides residues in agricultural products imported to Iraq in order to prevent the entry of contaminating materials and secure human safety.

Matrix Effects of Fourteen Organophosphorus Pesticides Residues in Nine Kinds of Vegetable Matrices

The matrix effects of 14 organophosphorus pesticides in 9 kinds of vegetables matrices were preliminarily studied by gas chromatography/flame photomet- ric detection（FPD） in the paper. The matrix effects of 14 organophosphoms pesticides in 9 kinds of vegetable matrices at 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/L were compared, respectively. The results showed that matrix enhancement effect and matrix attenuation effect existed in all cases, while matrix effects did not have strong correlation with concentrations of pesticides, but were related to species of vegetables and structure and polarity of pesticides.

Assessment of the Pesticides Utilization and the Pesticide Residues Presence in Fresh and Tomato Products for the Tomato Supply Chain in Rwanda

Pesticide residues are either natural or synthetic and are found in most edible products such as fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and other processed products. Excess of these pesticides’ residues is unsafe for consumption due to regulatory measures. Thus, it is beneficial to assess the level of residues of pesticides in the food diet in order to improve the standard of living of the population. This study intends to assess the pesticide usage and residue levels of selected pesticides in fresh tomatoes in the supply chain of Rwanda. The results of the study confirm that there are around 10 brands of pesticides used in Rwanda. 58.97% of the surveyed people around the country are males and 71.79% of farmers apply rockets as the main pesticide. More than 22% of surveyed farmers affirmed to consume the raw or/and unwashed tomatoes. This study revealed that the residues of the active ingredients contained in the pesticides are accumulated in unwashed tomatoes and the quantity of such residues is shown in this study. Deltamethrin was 0.64 ± 0. 009 mg·kg?1 in tomatoes collected in Rusizi district, cypermethrin 1.1435 ± 0. 0375 mg·kg?1 in tomatoes collected from Gisagara District, mancozeb residues was 0.620 ± 0.000 mg·kg?1 in tomatoes collected from Rusizi district. The results of the study also show that pesticide residues are not found in the washed tomatoes. Therefore, the detection of pesticide residues in unwashed tomatoes in some samples indicates the malpractice of residues among farmers in Rwanda. Also, consumers eating the unwashed fresh tomatoes are recommended to wash the tomatoes before use.

Determination of 14 Organophosphorus Pesticide Residues in Mutton by Gel Permeation Chromatography-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(GPC-GC-MS)

[Objectives]This study was conducted to purify mutton samples by gel permeation chromatography(GPC).[Methods]Fourteen organophosphorus pesticide residues in samples were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)in selective ion scanning mode(SIM).[Results]The organophosphorus pesticide standard solutions showed good linearity in the mass concentration range of 0.1-10.0μg/ml with correlation coefficients(r)not lower than 0.999,and the detection limits(S=3 N)ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg.The average recovery values were in the range of 80.2%-99.7%,with relative standard deviations(RSDs,n=3)in the range of 1.8%-6.3%,at the addition levels of 0.5,1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg.[Conclusions]The method is simple,sensitive and accurate,and can be used for the determination of organophosphorus pesticide residues in mutton.

Research Progress of QuEChERS Pretreatment Technique in the Detection of Multiple Pesticide Residues

The QuEChERS extraction technique is a pretreatment technique that has been rapidly applied in recent years and is widely used in the field of pesticide residues with many advantages. This technique is based on solid phase extraction (SPE), which uses the interaction between adsorbent and impurities in the matrix to achieve the purpose of purification. The method has easier operation and better purification effect than SPE. In this paper, the research progress of the QuEChERS technique in pesticide residue detection in different fields in recent years and its future development were reviewed, hoping to provide reference for further development and utilization of the QuEChERS technique in pesticide residue detection in the future.

Research Progress on Detection Techniques of Fungicide Residues in Chinese Chives

Chinese chive is a kind of medicinal and edible plant,with many diseases,and chemical fungicides are usually used for control.In order to find out the risk of pesticide residues in Chinese chives,this paper summarized relevant literatures published in recent years,and sorted out and analyzed the types of pesticides used and detection techniques of common diseases in Chinese chives.

A timing self-cleaning nanoherbicide:Design of triple-structure nanovectors for weed control and pesticide residues treatment

Pesticide residues treatment is a crucial issue for both agricultural production and environmental protection.In recent years,designing self-cleaning nanoformulations has emerged as a promising strategy for reducing pesticide residues in a convenient and cost-effective manner.However,traditional physical blending methods of photodegradation reagents with nanocarriers have limitations in terms of pesticide residue degradation efficiency and active ingredient efficacy.Here,a new type of timing self-cleaning nanoherbicide dicamba@mSiO_(2)/ATA/TiO_(2)with a triple structure was fabricated.Dicamba,a widely used herbicide that was attracting increasing concern over its high efficiency and broad spectrum,was selected as the model herbicide and loaded on the mSiO_(2)shell.In the stage of pesticide release,the TiO_(2)and dicamba were separated by the timing-barrier.Therefore,the efficacy of dicamba was not affected by the photocatalyst.During the release process,the ATA layer continuously absorbed the reactive oxygen species(ROS)produced by TiO_(2)and was gradually degraded.Finally,the barrier was destroyed,and the residual dicamba in the carrier was degraded by TiO_(2).Compared with the traditional physical blending method,this triple structure avoided the degradation of active ingredients by photocatalysts during the pesticide release period.The experimental results suggested that this nanoformulation improved the efficacy of the herbicide,and reduced the pesticide residues,providing a new approach for self-cleaning nanopesticides research.

Determination of 2 Amides Pesticide Residues in Agricultural Products by Terahertz Time-domain Spectroscopy

[Objective] The aim was to explore the application of terahertz （THz） technique in pesticide recognition and residue determination. [Method] THz far-infrared spectral characteristics of 2 herbicides （butachlor and metolachlor） were measured by THz time-domain spectroscopy （THz-TDS） under conditions of room temperature and nitrogen,meanwhile their refractive index and absorption coefficient between 0.2 and 2.2 THz were calculated by using models based on Fresenl equations. [Result] The 2 pesticides both had a series of different characteristic absorption peaks between 0.2 and 2.2 THz,respectively. Their molecular structures were similar,but there were great difference in absorption and refractive index spectrum between them. [Conclusion] THz-TDS technique is feasible to detect pesticide residues,especially there is a greater advantage in identifying the structure of similar substances.

Simultaneous Determination of Four Pesticide Residues in Fruit Juice by HPLC

[Objective] This study was conducted to develop a system for simultaneous determination of imidacloprid, diflubenzuron, thiabendazole and carbendazim in fruit juice by HPLC. [Method] Using acetonitrile as the extraction solvent, the pesticides in fruit juice were purified through a NH2 solid phase extraction （SPE） cartridge, then detected by HPLC. [Result] There was a good linear relationship between the peak area and the concentrations of imidacloprid, diflubenzuron, thiabendazole and carbendazim in a range of 0.05-5.0 μg/ml, and the linear correlation coefficient varied in a range of 0.999 0-0.999 8; the limit of detection for imidacloprid, diflubenzuron, thiabendazole and carbendazim was 0.003, 0.005, 0.003 and 0.007 mg/kg, respectively. The recovery rate of imidacloprid, diflubenzuron, thiabendazole and carbendazim standards added at three levels （0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg） ranged from 82% to 107%, with RSD less than 4.5%. [Conclusion] The sensitivity, accuracy and precision of this method were able to meet the requirements for pesticide residue analysis.

Determination of 10 Pyrethroids Pesticide Residues in Rice by GC-MS-MS

[Objective] A method was developed for the determination of 10 pyrethroids pesticide residues in rice by GC-MS-MS. [Method] Pyrethroids were extracted with acetonitrile, followed by a salting-out step with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and sodium chloride, cleaned up by florisil solid phase extraction （SPE） cartridge, and determined by multiple reaction monitoring mode. [Result] The method showed good linearity over the range of 0.010-0.500 mg/L for 10 pyrethroid pesticide with correlation coefficients over 0.99. The detection limits were 0.005 -0.010 mg/kg. The method was validated by analyzing samples spiked with 0.05, 0.10, 0.20 mg/kg of 10 pyrethroid pesticides, respectively. The average recoveries in rice ranged from 75.0-115.5%, and the relative standard deviations （RSD） were between 3.9%-6.9%. [Conclusion] The method is easy, accurate and reliable, which can meet the requirement for the simultaneous determination and confirmation of pyrethroid pesticide residues in rice.

Investigation and Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Citrus from Parts of Hubei Province

The analysis of pesticide residues in Citrus from Yichang, Danjiangkou, Zigui and Xingshan in Hubei Province was accomplished by UPLC-MS and GC-MS. The results showed that the detection rate of pesticide residues in Citrus reticulate was 91.9%. The detection rate of banned pesticides was 1.6%. The detection rate of restricted pesticides was 9.5%. The detection rate of allowed pesticides was 68.3%. The detection rate of unregistered pesticides was 15.9%. The pesticide used in citrus was relatively common. Because of the banned and restricted pesticides were both in the control degree, on the whole, the quality and security of Citrus reticulata was safe.

Study on Pesticide Residues of Phorate and Emamectin Benzoate in Cauliflower with Ball Well Protected

In order to study the difference between cauliflower varieties with ball well protected and unprotected in terms of pesticide residue and its causes, Jinpin 70, a new male sterile cauliflower variety with ball well protected, and Xuebao with ball unprotected were sprayed with high-toxic pesticide phorate and efficient bio-pesticide emamectin benzoate at a regular dose to investigate the impact of different cauliflower varieties on the pesticide residue. The results showed that from the 3rd to the 5th day after spraying, phorate and emamectin benzoate residues in Jinpin 70 with ball well protected reduced by 76.47%-87.65% and 67.86%-80.82% re- spectively compared with Xubao, and decreased by 9.23%-81.82% and 57.14%- 79.84% respectively compared with Jinpin 70 with ball unprotected. The results above demonstrates that inner leaves of cauliflower with ball well protected can prevent the ball from being polluted by phorate and emamectin benzoate, thereby improving its edible safety.

Study on Prediction of Pesticide Residues Based on Fuzzy System

This study was aimed to do the prediction of pesticide residues based on fuzzy system. Taking chlorpyrifos as an example, the Mathematic Fuzzy System was established by using the MRL values （maximum residue limits of all kinds of pesticides in food） of the Matlab Fuzzy Toolbox to analyze and predict the degra- dation degree of pesticide residues of the same crop at different time periods of bagging treatment, with the aim to provide some theoretical guidances for solving practical problems in real life.

Organochlorine pesticides in soils under different land usage in the Taihu Lake region, China

A field study was conducted in the Taihu Lake region, China in 2004 to reveal the organochlorine pesticide concentrations in soils after the ban of these substances in the year 1983. Thirteen organochlorine pesticides （OCPs） were analyzed in soils from paddy field, tree land and fallow land. Total organochlorine pesticide residues were higher in agricultural soils than in uncultivated fallow land soils. Among all the pesticides, ΣDDX （DDD, DDE and DDT） had the highest concentration for all the soil samples, ranging from 3.10 ng/g to 166.55 ng/g with a mean value of 57.04 ng/g and followed by ΣHCH, ranging from 0.73 ng/g to 60.97 ng/g with a mean value of 24.06 ng/g. Dieldrin, endrin, HCB and α-endosulfan were also found in soils with less than 15 ng/g. Ratios of p,p＇-（DDD＋DDE）/DDT in soils under three land usages were： paddy field 〉 tree land 〉 fallow land, indicating that land usage inlfuenced the degradation of DDT in soils. Ratios of p,p＇-（DDD＋DDE）/DDT 〉1, showing aged residues of DDTs in soils of the Taihu Lake region. The results were discussed with data from a former study that showed very low actual concentrations of HCH and DDT in soils in the Taihu Lake region, but according to the chemical half-lives and their concentrations in soils in 1980s, the concentration of DDT in soils seemed to be underestimated. In any case our data show that the ban on the use of HCH and DDT resulted in a tremendous reduction of these pesticide residues in soils, but there are still high amounts of pesticide residues in soils, which need more remediation processes.

Analysis of pesticide residues in commercially available chenpi using a modified QuEChERS method and GC-MS/MS determination

To ensure the safety of the commercially available chenpi,a convenient and fast analytical method was developed for the determination of 133 pesticide residues in chenpi using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS).In this study,different extraction solvents,redissolution solvents and adsorbents were tested according to the recovery and purification effect to obtain a modified QuEChERS method.The samples were extracted with acetonitrile.During the clean-up step,octadecyl-modified silica(C18)and graphitized carbon black(GCB)were selected,and aminopropyl(NH2)was used instead of primary secondary amine(PSA)because of its weaker ion exchange capacity which had little effect on the recovery of ditalimfos.Samples were quantified by matrix-matched calibration with internal standards.All pesticides showed good linearity in the respective range,both with values of r2>0.99.The average recoveries of the pesticides spiked samples ranged from 70.0% to 112.2% with the RSDs of 0.2%–14.4%.The modified QuEChERS method was validated and applied to twenty real samples.Five pesticides were found in eight batches,but no pesticide exceeded the maximum residue limits(MRL,MRL reference to European commission).

Risk assessment and ranking of pesticide residues in Chinese pears

The presence of pesticide residues in pears is a serious health concern. This study presents the results from a 2-year investigation （2013-2014） that used gas chromatography, GS/MS and UPLC/MS-MS to measure the levels of 104 pesti- cides in 310 pear samples. In 93.2% of the samples, 43 pesticides were detected, of which the maximum residue levels （MRLs） were exceeded in 2.6% of the samples. Multiple residues （two to eight compounds） were present in 69.7% of the samples; one sample contained nine pesticides and one sample contained 10. Only 6.8% of the samples did not contain residues. To assess the health risks, the pesticide residue data have been combined with daily pear consumption data for children and adult populations. A deterministic model was used to assess the chronic and acute exposures based on the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues （JMPR） method. A potential acute risk was demonstrated for children in the case of bifenthrin, which was found to be present at 105.36% of the acute reference dose （ARfD） value. The long- term exposure of the Chinese consumer to pesticide residues through the consumption of raw pears was far below the acceptable daily intake （ADI） criterion. Additionally, the matrix ranking scheme was used to classify risk subgroups of pesticides and pear samples. In general, 95.5% of samples were deemed to be safe and nine pesticides were classified as being of a relatively high risk. The findings indicated that the occurrence of pesticide residues in pears should not be considered a serious public health problem. Nevertheless, a more detailed study is required for vulnerable consumer groups, especially children. Continuous monitoring of pesticides in pears and tighter regulation of pesticide residue standards are recommended.

Management of pesticide residues in China

This paper reviewed management of pesticide residues in China including laws and regulations, the supervision system, the standard system, and the quality and safety of agricultural products. The process of establishment and internationalization of standards for pesticide residues were also discussed. Results indicate that the progress of the management of pesticide residues has been steadily made in China. However, the following aspects which refer to updates to regulations, supervising efficiency, standard system, risk assessment, international cooperation and communication, should be further improved. China should draw lessons from international experience, and then establish its own management system, which focuses on pesticides controls by strictly following relevant laws and technical standards to ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products.

Simultaneous Determination of 8 Pesticide Residues in Green Tea Based on Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry

To improve pesticide residues detection efficiency in tea, simultaneous de- termination of eight pesticide residues in green tea was developed based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. The results showed that, - detected by the GC-MS under following conditions： acetonitrile as extraction and elution solvent, activated carbon and PSA tandem column as the stationary phase, elution volume of 12 ml the relationship between peak area and concentration of each residue （ametryn in the range of 0-100 pg/L, napropamide in the range of 0-10 000 gg/L, other pesticides in the range of 0-1 000 tJg/L） were linearly related, and their corre- lation coefficients were all greater than 0.999. The recovery rate the pesticides added to tea sample at legal concentration limits ranged from 73.6% to 116.8%, and the relative standard deviation from 1.47% to 15.58%. The new method we de- veloped is sensitive, specific and anti-interference, and thus provides test basis for the development of pesticide matrix reference materials in tea.

A novel thermal biosensor based on enzyme reaction for pesticides measurement

A novel thermal biosensor based on enzyme reaction for pesticides detection has been developed. This biosensor is a flow injection analysis system and consists of two channels with enzyme reaction column and identical reference column, which is set for eliminating the unspecific heat. The enzyme reaction takes place in the enzyme reaction column at a constant temperature(40℃) realized by a thermoelectric thermostat. Thermosensor based on the thermoelectric module containing 127 serial BiTe-thermocouples is used to monitor the temperature difference between two effluents from enzyme reaction column and reference column. The ability of this biosensor to detect pesticides is demonstrated by the decreased degree of the hydrolytic heat in two types of thermosensor mode. The hydrolytic reaction is inhibited by 36% at 1 mg/L DDVP and 50 % at 10 mg/L DDVP when cell-typed thermosensor is used. The percent inhibition is 30% at 1 mg/L DDVP and 42% at 10 mg/L DDVP in tube-typed thermosensor mode. The detection for real sample shows that this biosensor can be used for detection of organophosphate pesticides residue.

Effects of Two Composted Plant Pesticide Residues,Incorporated with Trichoderma viride,on Root-Knot Nematode in Balloonflower

Plant pesticide residues, such as chinaberry （Melia toosendan） residue and sand cypress （Sabina vulgaris） residue, are pesticidal plant materials discarded after the bioactive ingredient has been extracted with organic solvents. The only option for botanical pesticide residue utilization has been as landfill. Chinaberry residue （CBR） and sand cypress residue （SCR） were collected and composted in Yangling, Shaanxi Province, China. We studied the effects of chinaberry residue compost （CBRC）, CBRC incorporated with Trichoderma viride （CBRCT）, sand cypress residue compost （SCRC）, and SCRC incorporated with T. viride （SCRCv） on the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita, infesting the balloonflower （Platycodon grandiflorum）. Bioassay results indicated that stock solutions of the CBRCT and SCRCT extracts significantly inhibited egg hatching and caused high larval mortality, followed in degree by the CBRC and SCRC extracts. The CBR and SCR extracts caused very low inhibition of eggs and larvae. Supplementing potting mixtures with these four composts reduced the severity of root galling and increased the proportion of marketable roots. The severity of root galling decreased and the average weight of the marketable roots increased with an increase in all the composts when supplemented at rates from 5 to 30%. CBR- and SCR-supplemented pot soils also inhibited the nematodes, but CBR and SCR applied to the soil had a phytotoxic effect and inhibited balloonflower growth. Supplementing field soil with the composts reduced the severity of root galling and the populations of southern root-knot nematodes in the soil. CBRCT and SCRCT clearly enhanced the average weight of the marketable roots by 30.45 and 26.64%, respectively. Continuous supplementation with CBRCT or SCRCT in the same field significantly enhanced the control of the root-knot nematode, and the populations of nematodes continued to decrease with second inoculations. The populations of total Trichoderma spp. were distinctly enhanced and were maintained at high levels for a long time in the supplemented soils.