Organochlorine pesticide residues in skin, flesh and whole carrots (Daucus carota) from markets around Lake Victoria basin, Uganda

Abstract

Residual concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in vegetables cause concern because of their adverse health effects. Pesticides have been applied in agricultural production and vector control in Uganda. Vegetables may absorb high residual levels of cyclodienes necessitating regular monitoring. Carrots are commonly consumed in Uganda as raw salads or components of different dishes. A gas chromatograph with electron capture detector was used to quantify organochlorine pesticides. Pesticide residues were confirmed by gas chromatography with a mass spectrometer. Trace amounts of 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), 2,4′-DDT, 2,4′-dichlorodiphenylchloroethane (DDE), α- endosulphan, β-endosulphan, α-lindane, γ-lindane and dieldrin were detected in carrots. Levels of organochlorine residues in carrots were below the maximum residue limits considered safe for human consumption by Codex Alimentarius and the European Union Commission.

Keywords:

• Organochlorine pesticides
• Carrots
• Lake Victoria basin

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by the International Programme in Chemical Sciences (IPCS) under the International Science Programme (ISP), Uppsala University, Sweden. We thank Christopher Bitainesha and Steven Mulinda for their technical support, and the anonymous reviewer for his help.