Persistent organochlorine pesticide residue in tissues and blood of goat

Abstract

The production commensurate with the demand for animal products including meat is increasing due to urbanization and increase in per capita income. However, meat and meat products meant for human consumption should also be safe and free from toxic contaminants. Presence of any xenobiotics in human food web is undesirable and unacceptable particularly in the wake of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and strict regulations imposed by many countries on the ground of safety of health of the consumers. In the present study, certain organochlorinated pesticide (OCP) residues in tissues and in blood samples of goat were determined. All samples were analysed for residues of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) isomers and metabolites, endosulfan isomers and metabolite, aldrin, heptachlor and dicofol. The tissue samples were extracted in soxhlet with hexane-acetone (1:1) and cleaned up by florisil column chromatography. The analysis was performed in capillary gas chromatograph equipped with electron capture detector (GC-ECD). The result indicated that 40% tissue samples were contaminated with HCH residues, while DDT and endosulfan were present in 32% samples. In blood samples, no HCH residue could be detected, but DDT and endosulfan were present in 10% and 30% samples, respectively.