EVALUATION OF PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN CASHEW, CARROT, TOMATOES, ONION AND OKRA IN OSOGBO, SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

This study evaluated the quantities of 26 pesticide residues present in some vegetables and fruits samples in comparison with the maximum quantity in which they should be present in the samples. Vegetables and fruits samples (onion, okra, tomatoes, carrot, cashew ) were bought at Igbonna Local Market, Osogbo, Osun state. The pesticide residue extraction and analysis were carried out by following the modified standard methods of: Determination of Organochlorine in water by Capillary Column Gas Chromatography, ASTMD 5812-96, Manual of Analytical Methods for the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Human and Environmental Samples. EPA-600/8-80-038. The test methods covered the capillary gas chromatographic determination of various pesticides, including some of their degradation products and related compounds. The maximum residue limits were obtained from the EPA database. Results obtained showed that the 26 pesticide residues are present in the samples. Comparison of the results obtained with the maximum residue revealed from that there was no significant by-pass of the maximum residue limits of the residues determined. Since these pesticide residues are present but are still below the maximum residue limits, it is imperative not to increase the quantity of the pesticides used. Otherwise, other alternative to pesticide use should be employed.