Determination of Chlorinated Pesticide Residues in Vegetables by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Regarding the increasing usage of pesticides to a broad variety of crops in Iran، and the importance of public concerns about possible health risks from pesticide residues، chlorinated pesticide residues in vegetables were determined in National Nutrition & Food Technology Research Institute in 2005. Thirty samples (melon، maskmelon، watermelon) were evaluated by an descriptive method. Sample extraction was carried out with ethyl acetate، and the extracts were cleaned up by high performance gel permeation chromatography. Pesticide residues were identified and quantified using gas chromatography ion trap mass spectrometry detector. Recoveries of chlorinated pesticides were within a range from 95-178%. Detection limit of pesticide residues were from 0. 01 to 0. 05 mgkg-1. The data demonstrated that the samples analysed did not contain residues of the monitored pesticides above the accepted maximum residue limit (MRL) as adapted by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. This method proves to be successful in analyzing pesticides in vegetables and provides reliable and accurate results.