Evaluation of Some Pesticide Residues in Stored Beans in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Humans utilize pesticides through agricultural practice to protect crops against destructive pests but pesticide use has been associated with human and environmental toxic effects. Its presence in food is disturbing considering the increasing number of toxicity it causes. Pesticide residues are lipophylic in nature and consumption of food contaminated with them beyond the level which the body can handle leads to gradual accumulation in the body to a level of toxicity which disrupts the normal body physiology. Though toxicologically pesticide residue data depends not only on the residue content of food but also on the quantity of contaminated food and length of time over which the consumption occurs. The aim of this study was to evaluate three samples of dry beans (black eyed beans) in order to estimate risks of pesticide presence in beans marketed/sold to Nigerians. Samples were randomly collected from some selected markets in Jos, Nigeria. Analysis was by extraction method for non-fatty matrices. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed by gas chromatography with electron capture and flame ionization. All the 3 samples (100%) contained pesticide residues beyond the allowed beans maximum residue levels (MRLs) of 0.01 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively, for chlorpyrifos and endosulfan. The present study showed high levels of pesticide residues in the beans sampled, hence all the samples were considered unfit for human consumption in relation to the analyzed pesticides as regular consumption of such samples might pose potential health hazards to the public

Keywords: Beans, poisons, health hazards