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Article

Evaluation of Pesticide Residues in Vegetables from the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia

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Pesticide Analysis Research Department, Central Agriculture Pesticide Laboratory, Agriculture Research Centre, Dokki 12618, Giza, Egypt
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Abha Food Safety Laboratory, Asir Municipality, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
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Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21524, Egypt
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Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria 51521, Egypt
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Research Centre for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, P.O. Box 9004, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia
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Inspection and License Department Asir Municipality, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
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Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 9004, Saudi Arabia
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College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. Box 715, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
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Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2020, 25(1), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25010205
Received: 12 December 2019 / Revised: 22 December 2019 / Accepted: 25 December 2019 / Published: 3 January 2020
This study’s aim was to determine the pesticide residues in 10 different vegetable commodities from the Asir region, Saudi Arabia. We evaluated 211 vegetable samples, collected from supermarkets between March 2018 and September 2018, for a total of 80 different pesticides using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) after extraction with a multi-residue method (the QuEChERS method). The results were assessed according to the maximum residue limit (MRL) provided by European regulations for each pesticide in each commodity. All lettuce, cauliflower, and carrot samples were found to be free from pesticide residues. A total of 145 samples (68.7%) contained detectable pesticide residues at or lower than MRLs, and 44 samples (20.9%) contained detectable pesticide residues above MRLs. MRL values were exceeded most often in chili pepper (14 samples) and cucumber (10 samples). Methomyl, imidacloprid, metalaxyl, and cyproconazole were the most frequently detected pesticides. Based on the results of this study, we recommend that a government-supported program for the monitoring of pesticide residues in vegetables be established to promote consumers’ health and achieve sustainable farming systems. View Full-Text
Keywords: pesticide residue; MRL; vegetables; Asir; UHPLC-MS/MS; monitoring pesticide residue; MRL; vegetables; Asir; UHPLC-MS/MS; monitoring
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MDPI and ACS Style

Ramadan, M.F.A.; Abdel-Hamid, M.M.A.; Altorgoman, M.M.F.; AlGaramah, H.A.; Alawi, M.A.; Shati, A.A.; Shweeta, H.A.; Awwad, N.S. Evaluation of Pesticide Residues in Vegetables from the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia. Molecules 2020, 25, 205. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25010205

AMA Style

Ramadan MFA, Abdel-Hamid MMA, Altorgoman MMF, AlGaramah HA, Alawi MA, Shati AA, Shweeta HA, Awwad NS. Evaluation of Pesticide Residues in Vegetables from the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia. Molecules. 2020; 25(1):205. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25010205

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ramadan, Mohamed F.A., Mohamed M.A. Abdel-Hamid, Montasser M.F. Altorgoman, Hamed A. AlGaramah, Mohammed A. Alawi, Ali A. Shati, Hoda A. Shweeta, and Nasser S. Awwad. 2020. "Evaluation of Pesticide Residues in Vegetables from the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia" Molecules 25, no. 1: 205. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25010205

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