Determination of pesticide residues in olive oils with protected geographical indication or designation of origin

Abstract

Summary Seventy olive oil samples with protected geographical indication (PGI) or designation of origin (PDO) were analysed for fifty‐one target pesticides by means of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The highest detection rates were observed for penconazole (n = 20), α‐endosulfan (n = 18), β‐endosulfan (n = 16) and flufenoxuron (n = 12). Four of the seventy investigated samples contained pesticide residues in levels exceeding MRLs. However, the investigated samples showed decreased occurrence and levels of pesticides residues in comparison with previous studies concerning samples from Greek conventional and organic cultivations. According to Spearman matrix, powerful correlations were obtained between α‐endosulfan and β‐endosulfan, detected as pair in thirteen samples and between flufenoxuron and penconazole detected as pair in eleven samples. Among Greek olive oil samples, the Cretan ones showed the lower detection rates and the lowest average number of detected pesticides per sample (1.75) in the case of pesticides positive samples.

Olive Oils with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)

“…The presence of these pesticide residues is in agreement with previous studies concerning olive oil samples in Greece without PDO/PGI labeling [77,78]. However, detection rates and concentration levels of pesticide residues in PDO/PGI olive oil samples reported by Likudis et al [76] were significantly lower compared to previous investigations in conventional and organic cultivations [77,78]. The case of fenthion, detected in 74% of the conventional olive oil samples investigated by Amvrazi and Albanis in a concentration range between 4.6 and 767 μg kg −1 [78] is indicative.…”

“…Seven other pesticides, namely azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, endosulfan sulfate, fenthion, parathion, parathion-methyl, and quinalphos were detected in fewer samples. The number of different pesticide residues detected in the positive samples ranged from 1 to 4 [76]. The presence of these pesticide residues is in agreement with previous studies concerning olive oil samples in Greece without PDO/PGI labeling [77,78].…”

“…The case of fenthion, detected in 74% of the conventional olive oil samples investigated by Amvrazi and Albanis in a concentration range between 4.6 and 767 μg kg −1 [78] is indicative. The same pesticide was detected only in 4% of the investigated PDO/PGI olive oils with a concentration range in the positive samples between 16.9 and 23.9 μg kg −1 [76]. It should be noted that some pesticide residues gave statistically significant correlation, such as α-and β-endosulfan [76,78].…”

“…The same pesticide was detected only in 4% of the investigated PDO/PGI olive oils with a concentration range in the positive samples between 16.9 and 23.9 μg kg −1 [76]. It should be noted that some pesticide residues gave statistically significant correlation, such as α-and β-endosulfan [76,78]. Possible explanations are their simultaneous use or the presence of intercropping activities (olive trees with apple or orange trees, vineyards, etc.…”

“…Along with Codex Alimentarius [74] of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the European Commission has extended legislation, establishing MRLs for several pesticides in olive oil [75]. With the purpose of comparing the levels of pesticide residues in PDO/PGI olive oils with conventional ones, Likudis et al analyzed 70 commercially available PDO/PGI Greek olive oil samples for 51 target pesticides [76]. In 30 samples (46% of the analyzed samples), no detectable pesticide residues were found.…”