title: Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole in cork bark.
abstract: Organochlorine pesticides are persistent lipophilic organic pollutants and tend to accumulate in growing plants. During growth, cork is in contact with the open air for long periods (9-12 years). Owing to the previous widespread use of organochlorine pesticides and their high persistence in the environment, there is a risk that residues of such pesticides may be present in cork. In this study, the concentrations of 14 organochlorine pesticides-all of which are indicators of environmental pollution-were analyzed in cork bark samples from three regions in Spain and one in Portugal. In addition, the concentrations of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) were also analyzed. Our results show only very low concentrations of lindane, γ-HCH (<2.6 ng g(-1)) and its byproducts α-HCH (<3.5 ng g(-1)) and β-HCH (<0.6 ng g(-1)). Among the DDT and its metabolites, only two were found: p,p'-DDT was found in a cork sample from Extremadura (0.1 ng g(-1)) and p,p'-DDE was present at a maximum concentration of 2.9 ng g(-1) in a cork sample from Castile-La Mancha. However, all concentrations were well below the legal limit established by Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 (10 ng g(-1) in foodstuffs). We can conclude, therefore, that the cork samples we studied complied with food safety standards.
authors: University of Girona, Department of Chemistry, Campus Montilivi s/n, 17071 Girona, Spain. angels.olivella@udg.edu
authors: M Àngels
authors: MÀ
authors: Olivella
authors: Josep
authors: J
authors: Caixach
authors: Carles
authors: C
authors: Planas
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Oliveras
authors: Patrícia
authors: P
authors: Jové
mesh_terms: D000840:Anisoles / Q000032:analysis*; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000032:analysis; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D059022:Food Safety; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry*; D029963:Quercus / Q000737:chemistry*; D014920:Wine
chemical_list: D000840:Anisoles; D002733:Chlorophenols; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010573:Pesticide Residues; C110228:2,4,6-trichloroanisole; C024564:2,4,6-trichlorophenol