Evaluation of Pesticide Residues Occurrence in Random Samples of Organic Fruits and Vegetables Marketed in Poland

Abstract

In recent years, organic food, produced with the use of natural means and production methods, has been gaining more and more popularity among consumers. This is due, inter alia, to their belief that it is more abundant in health-promoting bioactive compounds and safer than conventional food. Consumers are increasingly aware of the harmfulness of plant protection products used in intensive agriculture, which are not allowed in organic production. At the same time, it is reported that a certain share of organic products on the EU market are contaminated with pesticide residues, which may raise consumer concerns and lead to a loss of trust in organic food. The aim of the present study was to investigate the problem of pesticide residues occurrence in random samples of organically produced fruits and vegetables (apples, potatoes, carrots, and beetroots) commonly used in the Polish households, and which are available directly from the organic producers in open markets in Poland. For simultaneous analysis of 375 pesticides, an LC-MS/MS system consisting of an Eksigent expert ultraLC 100-XL coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer QTRAP 6500 and GC Agilent 6890 N equipped with ECD/NPD system were used. Among the 96 vegetable and fruit samples studied, 89 samples (92.7%) were free from detectable pesticide residues, 7 samples (7.3%) of carrot (5) and potato (2) were contaminated, and in 1 of them (1.0%) the detected residues exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL). None of the tested apple and beetroot samples were found to contain detectable residues. These findings are important for Polish consumers who look for high-quality organic food. However, the presence of detectable residues in a small proportion of the organic samples indicates a need to strengthen the monitoring of pesticides in organic crops, to educate farmers and to raise their awareness regarding the risks of unauthorized use of pesticides banned in organic farming, which can damage the reputation of the whole organic sector.

2 Year Wencheng Waxy Yam Pesticide Residue Investigation and Quality Evaluation

“…However, it is not optimistic that some organic products on the EU market are contaminated with pesticides, which is a cause for concern among consumers. Kazimierczak et al 32 analyzed 96 samples of organic agricultural products sold in the Polish market for pesticide multiresidue analysis and found that 7.3% of the samples (2 potatoes and 5 carrots) were contaminated with pesticides, and chlorpyrifos was detected above the MRL (0.1 mg kg –1 ) for one of the carrot samples. Apart from the use of unapproved pesticides, the probable cause was the transfer of pesticides that had previously accumulated in the soil to the plants.…”

Four Most Pathogenic Superfamilies of Insect Pests of Suborder Sternorrhyncha: Invisible Superplunderers of Plant Vitality

“…Tragically, the utilization of the lion’s share of pesticides postures a threat to the characteristic environment [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], and their inappropriate utilization leads to pesticide buildups in crops and nourishment items [ 42 ]. For human health, primary and derived agricultural products are the most real source of pesticide residues that are found in all agroecosystems [ 43 , 44 ]. Poorly tracked pesticide residues replenish concentrations of organic xenobiotics, poisoning ecosystems [ 45 ].…”

Characterization of the interaction between boscalid and tannic acid and its effect on the antioxidant properties of tannic acid

“…Omeje et al. (2022) found several organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticide residues in fresh fruits in a Nigerian market, some of them are even legally prohibited, such as linuron, propiconazole, and chlorpyrifos (Kazimierczak et al., 2022). In addition to fresh fruits, pesticides were also detected in some processed fruit products.…”

“…For example, Drabova et al (2022) detected 38 different pesticide residues in citrus in a Czech market, with thiazide and fenbutatin oxide exceeding the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Omeje et al (2022) found several organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticide residues in fresh fruits in a Nigerian market, some of them are even legally prohibited, such as linuron, propiconazole, and chlorpyrifos (Kazimierczak et al, 2022). In addition to fresh fruits, pesticides were also detected in some processed fruit products.…”