Toxicología ambiental y analítica

Analysis of Organochlorine and Organophosphorus Pesticide Residues in Dairy Products and Baby Foods from Egyptian Markets

Abstract

Al-Zahraa MD, Soumia MD and Fathy EE

The residue levels of organochlorine (OCP) and organophosphorus (OPP) in some dairy products and baby foods samples in Assiut markets Egypt were determined. The concentrations of OCP and OPP were determined in milk powder, plain yoghurt, fruit yoghurt, breakfast cereals, wheat cereal-based baby foods, rice cereal-based baby foods and vegetables and fruit-based baby foods by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In dairy products, the highest values of OCP and OPP were 9.346 ± 0.950 μg/kg methoxychlor in fruit yoghurt and 2.282 ± 0.400 μg/kg disulfoton in plain yoghurt, respectively. Propachlor, dieldrin (OCP), chlorpyrifos, and parathion- methyl (OPP) were not detected in any dairy product samples. Maximum amounts of methoxychlor (12.710 ± 0.700 μg/kg) and disulfoton (5.369 ± 0.510 μg/kg) were recorded in vegetables and fruit-based baby foods, and wheat cereal-based baby foods, respectively. The analysis of dairy products and baby foods showed lower pesticides values than the permissible limit set by the European Commission in all products, except methoxychlor (OCP) in vegetables and fruit-based baby foods. The results will help in a scientific assessment of the implications of pesticide residues with regards to human risks in Egypt.