Safety of imported agricultural products: pesticide residues

Introduction. From the evaluation of the positions of residual quantities of pesticides, the hygienic safety assessment of imported food products is most relevant under the current agreement on a free trade zone between the EAEU and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, as well as in connection with a large list of chemical plant protection products used during the vegetation of crops.

The purpose of the study. Rating the level of residual quantities of pesticides in samples of selected food products produced in Vietnam is the purpose of the study.

Research objectives. To quantify 42 active ingredients of pesticides (and their metabolites) in samples of rice grain, dragon fruit (pitahaya), avocado, mango and banana (fresh and dried) are the research objectives.

Material and methods. Multicomponent and individual methods based on LC and GC with MS-detection and FLD were used to identify active ingredients of pesticides. The sample preparation procedure with QuEChERS technology was used for the multi residues determination of the 40 compounds. The determination of avermectins (abamectin and emamectin benzoate) was carried out after the conversion of substances into fluorogenic derivatives.

Results. Residual amounts of tebuconazole (rice - 0.53 ppm, mangoes - 0.26 ppm, avocado - 0.15 ppm), fludioxonil (rice - 0.017 ppm), imidacloprid (dried mangoes - 0.01 ppm), carbendazim (dried mangoes - 0.011 ppm) were identified in single samples No residual avermectins have been identified. The content of substances in the analyzed samples of dragon fruit (pitahaya) did not exceed 0.01 ppm.

Discussion. The results obtained in the work are compared with the data of the annual pan-European and national monitoring, information on which is publicly available (2017), including imported goods, according to which rice and dragon fruits as objects of monitoring are given increased attention.

Conclusions. The safety of certain types of food products imported from Vietnam is shown by the content of residual quantities of pesticides.