Original Articles
Devendra Kumar and Preeti Kuls
Abstract
Multi-class pesticides viz. isomers of benzene hexachloride (α-BHC, β-BHC, γ-BHC and δ-BHC), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, γ-chlordane, endosulfan-I+α-chlordane, dieldrin+p,p’-DDE, endrin, endrin aldehyde, endrin ketone, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulphate, p,p’-DDT, p,p’-DDD, methoxychlor, decachlorobiphenyl (DCBP) and synthetic pyrethroids were monitored by an improved extraction method from apple (Malus domestica), pyrus (Pyrus calleryana), grapes (Vitis vinifera), sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and guava (Pasidum guajava) using Gas Chromatography coupled with Electron Capture Detector (ECD). In the sample of apple three pesticides β-BHC, aldrin & malathion ; in pyrus four pesticides β-BHC, aldrin, heptachlor epoxide & malathion; in sweet orange four pesticides β-BHC, aldrin, heptachlor epoxide & malathion ; in guava four pesticides β-BHC, aldrin, heptachlor epoxide & malathion and in grapes two pesticides δ-BHC & aldrin were found. All the results were compared with Codex MRLs. It was found that all fruits were safe for human consumption. Only the residual concentration of malathion was higher than MRL value. It can cause serious health hazards to human health and environment as well so its use on fruits should be limited.