Multi-residue screening of pesticides from different geographical regions in Egypt: A case study of guava fruit | ||
| Journal of Pest Control and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Volume 23, Issue 1, 2023, Pages 1-15 PDF (523.52 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jpces.2023.464411 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mohamed E. I. Badawy* 1; Shymaa A. Abo Shaheen1; Norhan I. A. Abo El-Saad1; Nehad E. M. Taktak2 | ||
| 1Department of Pesticide Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Aflatoun St., 21545 El-Shatby, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. | ||
| 2Department of Environmental Health, High Institute of Public Health, 165 El-Horreya Avenue – El-Ibrahimia, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study investigated the profile and regional variation of pesticide residues and contaminants in guava fruits cultivated in three major Egyptian governorates: Al-Hadrah (Alexandria), Rosetta (El-Beheira), and Fuwwah (Kafr El Sheikh). Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, a total of 24 distinct chemical compounds were identified, revealing significant contamination and diverse agricultural practices across the regions. The sample from Al-Hadrah exhibited the most complex profile with 18 compounds, followed by Rosetta (13) and Fuwwah (11). Synthetic pyrethroids, particularly lambda-cyhalothrin (the most abundant compound in two regions, up to 41.87%) and deltamethrin, were overwhelmingly dominant. The analysis also detected concerning levels of organophosphates (e.g., diazinon, dimethoate, and malathion) and carbamates (e.g., carbofuran), whose co-occurrence raises the risk of additive toxic effects. Furthermore, fungicides (chlorothalonil, and captan) and the plant growth regulator maleic hydrazide were consistently detected. A critical finding was the identification of the plasticizer dibutyl phthalate at high concentrations (up to 18.97%), indicating potential post-harvest or environmental contamination. The results highlight serious implications for food safety and regulatory compliance. The high residue levels, the presence of highly toxic compounds like carbofuran, and the complex mixture of pesticides with similar modes of action suggest a likely exceedance of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and pose potential health risks from both acute and chronic exposure. The study concludes that intensive pesticide use in Egyptian guavas creates a hazardous residue cocktail, demanding stricter regulation, farmer education on safer practices, and expanded food safety monitoring. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Pesticide residues; Guava fruit; QuEChERS method GC-MS | ||
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