Pesticide residues in common fruits and vegetables in Henan Province, China

ABSTRACT

In this study 3307 samples of 24 vegetables and fruits from 18 regions of Henan Province, China, were collected in 2021 with the aim of assessing the levels of pesticide residues and analysing the differences between different sources in Henan Province. Thirteen kinds of pesticides were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and detection rates were compared by the chi-square test. In all samples, except ginger, pimento, edible fungi and yam, pesticide residues were detected. The detection rates of difenoconazole, acetamiprid, carbendazim, procymidone, emamectin benzoate, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin and dimethomorph in supermarkets and traditional farmers’ markets were different. The difenoconazole group and the dimethomorph group were both statistically different (P < 0.05). This study showed common vegetables and fruits to contain pesticide residues in Henan Province and provided a scientific basis for their evaluation. Different sources take different regulatory measures to control pesticide residues to ensure food safety.

KEYWORDS:

• Vegetables
• fruits
• pesticides
• residues

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the participants for their supports during the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China [Grant No: 2019YFC1710002], the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant Nos: 42177415 and 21806146], the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China [Grant Nos: 2020T130604 and 2021M702934], the Science and Technique Foundation of Henan Province [Grant No: 212102310074], the Scientific and Technological Innovation of Colleges and Universities in Henan Province Talent Support Program [Grant No: 22HASTIT044], the Young Backbone Teachers Program of Colleges and Universities in Henan Province [Grant No: 2021GGJS015], and the Excellent Youth Development Foundation of Zhengzhou University [Grant No: 2021ZDGGJS057].