ISHS Acta Horticulturae 1364: XXXI International Horticultural Congress (IHC2022): International Symposium on Postharvest Technologies to Reduce Food Losses
Determination of pesticide residues in open field grown tomato harvested from specific locations in Kenya |
| Authors: | W.O. Owino, W.A. Nyonje |
| Keywords: | insecticide, fungicide, GC-MS, turning, mature green, DDT |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2023.1364.27 |
| Abstract:
Tomato is the second most important exotic vegetable after potato widely consumed in Kenya and its production constitutes one of the fastest growing markets edging towards a vital cash crop. Production of tomatoes however faces major challenges caused by pests and diseases and application of agrochemicals is considered as the main control strategy. However, widespread and rampant agrochemical use can contribute to food safety hazards to consumers. The study was carried out with an objective of determining the level of pesticide residues in tomatoes harvested from farmers’ fields and the adjoining markets in Kajiado, Siaya and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties. A total 300 tomato fruits in 44 batches were collected at both mature green and turning stages and subjected to pesticide residue analysis against 58 pesticides standards using the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) multi-residue extraction, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Out of the 58 pesticide residues analysed, 20 chemical residues were detected with 17 of them categorized as insecticides and 3 fungicides. The fungicide chloroneb (1,4-dichloro-2,5-dimethoxybenzene), not listed in the registered active ingredients of the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) of Kenya was detected in all the samples from the 3 counties. The transformation metabolites of the organochlorine insecticide, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), that is listed as banned by PCPB were still detected at levels of up to 24 ppm from the samples. None of the pesticides, even those safe to use pesticides (pyrethroid based pesticides) detected, were within the allowable limits. In summary, in all the counties, other than the predominant use pesticides banned by both European Union commission and PCPB, there is also the likelihood of using high pesticide dosage. This calls for an urgent need to develop comprehensive intervention measures to reduce the potential health risk posed to the general public through the consumption of such tomato products. | |
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