Determination of carbamate and organophosphorus pesticides in vegetable samples and the efficiency of gamma-radiation in their removal.
In the present study, the residual pesticide levels were determined in eggplants (Solanum melongena) (n = 16), purchased from four different markets in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The carbamate and organophosphorus pesticide residual levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the efficiency of gamma radiation on pesticide removal in three different types of vegetables was also studied. Many (50%) of the samples contained pesticides, and three samples had residual levels above the maximum residue levels determined by the World Health Organisation. Three carbamates (carbaryl, carbofuran, and pirimicarb) and six organophosphates (phenthoate, diazinon, parathion, dimethoate, phosphamidon, and pirimiphos-methyl) were detected in eggplant samples; the highest carbofuran level detected was 1.86 mg/kg, while phenthoate was detected at 0.311 mg/kg. Gamma radiation decreased pesticide levels proportionately with increasing radiation doses. Diazinon, chlorpyrifos, and phosphamidon were reduced by 40-48%, 35-43%, and 30-45%, respectively, when a radiation strength of 0.5 kGy was utilized. However, when the radiation dose was increased to 1.0 kGy, the levels of the pesticides were reduced to 85-90%, 80-91%, and 90-95%, respectively. In summary, our study revealed that pesticide residues are present at high amounts in vegetable samples and that gamma radiation at 1.0 kGy can remove 80-95% of some pesticides.
Agrochemicals and Environmental Research Division, Institute of Food & Radiation Biology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh ; Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh.
Muhammed Alamgir Zaman
MA
Chowdhury
Agrochemicals and Environmental Research Division, Institute of Food & Radiation Biology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh ; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh.
Iffat
I
Jahan
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh.
Nurul
N
Karim
Agrochemicals and Environmental Research Division, Institute of Food & Radiation Biology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh.
Mohammad Khorshed
MK
Alam
Agrochemicals and Environmental Research Division, Institute of Food & Radiation Biology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh.
Mohammad
M
Abdur Rahman
Agrochemicals and Environmental Research Division, Institute of Food & Radiation Biology, Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh.
Mohammed
M
Moniruzzaman
Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Siew Hua
SH
Gan
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh.
Abu Naieum Muhammad
AN
Fakhruddin
D001459:Bangladesh; D002219:Carbamates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005720:Gamma Rays; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*
D002219:Carbamates; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010573:Pesticide Residues