Detection and quantification of pesticide residues in selected vegetables of Bangladesh

Abstract

A survey was conducted in intensive vegetable growing area in the Narsingdi district of Bangladesh regarding pesticides used by farmers on three major vegetables like eggplant, cauliflower, and country bean. On the basis of questionnaires, 23 farmers were interviewed and it was noted that fourteen pesticides belonging to different groups were found to be commonly used on the selected vegetables by the respondent farmers to control the major pests. In two selected locations of Narsinghdi 8.33 to 45.00 percent farmers were recorded to apply different pesticides every day and in some cases even twice in a day on vegetables. A total of 42 samples were collected from fields and markets and multiple pesticide residue analysis was done by Gas Chromatography (GC) with Flame Thermionized Detector (FTD) and Electron Capture Detector (ECD). Out of 42 samples, 27 had pesticide residue. Among these 27 samples, 14 samples had pesticide residues above the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL). The detected pesticides were Diazinon, Malathion, Quinalphos, Fenitrothion, Cypermethrin, Fenvalerate and Propiconazole.