Evaluation of Pesticide Residues in some Commonly Consumed Grains in Kogi State, North Central, Nigeria

Indiscriminate use of pesticides to boost agricultural produce and in public health to control pests has raised the emphasis on pesticide residue levels in foods. This study analyzed the pesticides residue levels in some common grains (rice, maize, millet and beans) consumed in Kogi State, North Central, Nigeria and ascertained their suitability for human consumption. The samples were analyzed for the presence of several benzimidazole, triazole, organochloride and organophosphate pesticide residues using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The residual pesticides levels in the different grains were compared with FAO/WHO established maximum residual levels (MRL) for the pesticides. The results showed that the common pesticide residues found in rice across the 3 Senatorial Districts of Kogi State include; thiabendazole, phosmet, acetamiprid, carbendazim, pyrimethanil and pyroclostrobin. Only pyroclostrobin was found to be above its MRL in rice samples from Kogi Central Senatorial District. In maize, the common pesticides detected were tebuconazole, Acephate, atrazine, clothianidin and quinoxyfen. Atrazine and clothianidin were found to be above their MRL in the 3 Senatorial Districts. Azoxystrobin, formethanate, chlorpyrifos, fludioxonil and thiabendazole were detected in millet samples from across the Senatorial Districts but only formethanate was discovered to be above its MRL. For beans, chlorpyrifos, acetamiprid and endosulfan were detected across the Senatorial Districts but at levels below their MRL. The presence of these pesticides even at levels lower their MRLs may pose no immediate risks to human health, but may lead to bioaccumulation and eventually become a threat to public health in the long term.