Evaluation of selected plant growth regulators and fungicide residues in fruits for dietary risk assessment

ABSTRACT

A total of 96 samples of fresh fruits were collected to investigate the residues of selected plant growth regulators and fungicides. The analyses utilized ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry after a modified QuEChERS method. The results were evaluated according to maximum residue limits (MRLs) by the Chinese regulation. All blueberries, litchis, and watermelons were pesticide-free, and only one (1%) fruit sample contained pesticide residues above MRLs. Concerning the most frequently detected pesticide residues, carbendazim was found in 20% of the samples analyzed. Data obtained were then used to estimate the potential health risks associated with the exposures to these pesticides. The short-term risks were below 3.25% and the long-term risks were also very low, ranging from 0.0005% for dimethomorph to 0.4302% for prochloraz.

KEYWORDS:

• plant growth regulators
• fungicides
• fruits
• health risk

Funding

This work was supported by the Zhejiang Medical Technology and Education Project (grant number 2014KYA188).