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The aim of this study was to assess the levels of pesticide residues in locally produced
grape wine in Tanzania. Fifty samples of grape wine from different locations in Dodoma
urban and Bahi district were analysed to determine the presence of 49 pesticides using the
quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) multi-residue extraction,
followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Twenty-two
pesticides were detected among the 49 pesticides analysed. The selected 49 pesticides
were based on their use in grape cultivation reported by grape farmers in the study
location which include fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. The pesticides whose
concentrations exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRL) were: pyroquilon 76%,
ethofumasate 66%, chloroneb 92%, azobenzene 28% and cycloate 2% of the wine
samples.
Of the samples analysed 18% contained one pesticide, 16% contained two different
pesticides, 46% contained three different pesticides, 16% contained four different
pesticides, among those that exceeded MRL (pyroquilon, ethofumesate, chloroneb,
azobenzene and cycloate).
The results indicated the occurrence of pesticide residues in grape wine produced in
Dodoma urban and Bahi districts, Tanzania. Most of the samples contained pesticide
residues that exceeded MRL set by European standards for grape wine indicating that
grape wine was not safe for human consumption and could lead to negative health effects
to consumers.
In addition, study aimed at assessing awareness on ill-health effects of pesticide residues
and best practices among grape wine stakeholders in Dodoma Urban and Bahi districts.
A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between December 2019 and January
2020 in Dodoma Urban and Bahi districts, involving 40 farmers, 15 grape wine
processors and 4 agricultural officers through interviews. Data were collected using
semi-structured questionnaires and analysed using IBM SPSS ® version 25 (2017).
Descriptive statistics were used to determine frequencies and percentages of social
demographic, awareness and handling practices of pesticides. The results indicated that,
grape farming was mostly practiced by people with low education level. It was also
observed that pesticides handling practices were poor. Poor handling practices of
pesticides were identified on poor disposal of empty containers, use of personal protective
equipment whereby few respondents worn it and they usually worn one item of those PPE
recommended and low knowledge about pesticides safety labels. Although respondents
were aware that pesticides had negative health effects on human and environment, still
their handling practices were unsatisfactory. This could be due to negligence and lack of
education. Also, it was observed that there was no treatment performed by grape wine
producers to reduce the pesticides load before wine processing and no tests were
performed to ascertain the pesticides residues level in their raw materials. Awareness
creation on good practices for pesticides application and food safety strengthening are
recommended to protect public health against pesticides. |
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