COSTECH Integrated Repository

Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Tomatoes and Watermelons (Fruits) from Markets in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Show simple item record

dc.creator Mahugija, John A.M.
dc.creator Khamis, Farhat A.
dc.creator Lugwisha, Esther H.J.
dc.date 2018-09-13T10:56:45Z
dc.date 2018-09-13T10:56:45Z
dc.date 2017
dc.date.accessioned 2021-05-03T13:19:55Z
dc.date.available 2021-05-03T13:19:55Z
dc.identifier Mahugija, J.A.M., Khamis, F.A. and Lugwisha, E.H.J., 2017. Assessment of pesticide residues in tomatoes and watermelons (fruits) from markets in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management 21(3), 497–501.
dc.identifier 1119-8362
dc.identifier http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/4879
dc.identifier https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v21i3.10
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/4879
dc.description This study investigated the levels of pesticide residues in selected fruits from major markets in Dar es Salaam city. Samples of tomatoes and watermelons were analysed for eighteen organochlorine, organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticide residues. Extraction was performed using acetone followed by dichloromethane: cyclohexane mixture and the extracts were cleaned-up using florisil. The compounds were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Pesticides and metabolites were detected in 95.8% of the samples. The compounds detected included chlorpyrifos, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan and cypermethrin and their highest concentrations were 3810 ± 50, 370 ± 20, 120 ± 6 and 50 ± 4 ng/g, respectively. Others were p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE and α-HCH with highest concentrations varying from 1 ± 0.5 to 20 ± 1.2 ng/g. There were no significant variations in concentrations of the pesticide residues between the fruits and among the sampling sites, indicating similarities in contamination patterns. The concentrations of the contaminants were above the maximum residue limits (MRLs) in 41.7% to 50% of the tomatoes and watermelons indicating risks and concerns for public health. The Tanzanian agrochemicals and food regulatory agencies (e.g. TPRI, TFDA and TBS) and the government in general should ensure strict applications of laws that regulate pesticides in the country and develop effective educational programmes for farmers to apply good agricultural practices such as reducing the use of pesticides, applying appropriate pesticides and doses, and restrict the spray before harvesting. The consumers should thoroughly wash or process the fruits to reduce the levels.
dc.language en
dc.publisher University of Port Harcourt
dc.subject Pesticides, Fruits, Food, Contamination, Tanzania
dc.title Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Tomatoes and Watermelons (Fruits) from Markets in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
dc.type Journal Article


Files in this item

Files Size Format View

There are no files associated with this item.

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Search COSTECH


Advanced Search

Browse

My Account