Abstract
Abstract | Pesticides are indispensable for successful vegetable production; however, misuse of insecticides results in chemical pollution and entry into the food chain. This study uniquely addresses the quantification of pesticide residues in cauliflower curds and soil, and associated human health risks in the specific climatic conditions of Multan City, and it is the first to collectively examine these five (lufenuron, bifenthrin, emamectin benzoate, metalaxyl, and mancozeb) pesticides in cauliflower. A survey of the cauliflower production area was performed to collect information about pesticides used for insect pest and disease management. Farmers were applying lufenuron, bifenthrin, emamectin benzoate, metalaxyl, and mancozeb. The cauliflower plant and soil samples were collected with the frequency of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 15 days after the application of pesticides. The collected plant and soil samples dried and extracted to determine pesticide residues using the modified QuECHERS method. Pesticides residues assessment was performed on High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at the Pesticide Quality Control Laboratory, Multan. There were no pesticide residues were detected in the soil samples. While in the cauliflower 20% samples (out of 40 samples) contained pesticide residues. Initial deposits of lufenuron of 0.93, 3.19, and 5.63 ppm were detected in the cauliflower samples of day 1 (after pesticide application) from the fields of farmers 1, 4, and 8, respectively. Bifenthrin residues of 1.64 and 1.78 ppm were detected in the cauliflower samples of day 1 (after pesticide application) from the fields of farmers 1 and 8, respectively. Similarly, bifenthrin residues of 0.81 and 0.61 ppm were detected in the cauliflower samples of day 3 (after pesticide application) from the fields of farmers 1 and 8. Bifenthrin residues were also detected in the 5th day sample (0.41 ppm) from the fields of farmer 8. While performing the risk assessment it was revealed that there will be no health risk associated for an average body weight (60 kg) person with the cauliflower consumption.
