Verification of QuEChERS Method for the Analysis of Pesticide Residues and Their Risk Assessment in Some Fruits Grown in Tokat, Turkey

This study sought to determine pesticide residues in some fruits in Tokat province, Turkey and to assess the health risks associated with the determined residues. QuEChERS analytical method was verified to determine 260 pesticides by using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Pesticide solutions corresponded 10 and 50 & mu;g kg-1 were applied to the pesticide-free apple matrix for the method verification. The linearities (R2), limit of detections, limit of quantifications and mean recovery values of the pesticides ranged between 0.990-0.999, 0.83-3 & mu;g kg-1, 2.76-9.99 & mu;g kg-1 and 70.3-119% (with relative standard deviation & LE;20%), respectively. The results were evaluated according to the European Union maximum residue limits (EU-MRL). The residues were lower and higher than the EU-MRL with a ratio of 37.7% and 32.1% of the tested samples, respectively. The residue levels of diflubenzuron in apples, permethrin in cherries, and dimethoate in pears, apples, and peaches were higher than the EU-MRL. The results of health risk assessments indicated that omethoate and dimethoate have acute and chronic toxicity potential for consumers. Hence, the pesticide use in the study area must be reduced to avoid health risks. Furthermore, alternative management methods should be developed to lower the use of pesticides.