Pesticide residues determination in food premises in Bench-Maji zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract Pesticides are very important risk factors in human life causing chronic human health effects. Pesticides are commonly used across the globe to enhance human endeavors. In Ethiopia, pesticides are widely used by local farmers and governmental organizations for pests control purpose. However, majority of pesticides are not specifically targeting the pest. As a result, pesticide residues in food items have been a concern to the consumers and environment they live in. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the amount of organo-chlorine and organo-phosphate pesticide residues in cereal crops in Bench-Maji Zone, Ethiopia. Experimental study design was employed to determine the amount of pesticide residues and cereal crops were bought from the local farm sites and market of purposively selected sites. The samples were extracted using a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe extraction and clean up method. Finally, the extracted samples were injected into Gas chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometer and the types, and concentrations of pesticide residues were analyzed using linear regression equation that obtained from calibration curves. The highest concentration of Endosulfan sulfate (0.076 mgkg− 1) was detected in rice, followed by Dimethoate (0.068 mgkg− 1) and p,p’-DDE (0.087 mgkg− 1) in Sorghum and common millet, respectively in the samples obtained from Gurafarda site. The highest concentration of p,p’-DDT (0.133 mgkg− 1) was detected in common millet, followed by Aldrin (0.082mgkg− 1) and Dimethoate (0.077mgkg− 1) in Sorghum and common millet, respectively in the samples obtained from North-Bench site. In addition, Aldrin detected in rice, sorghum and common millet obtained from the three sites was a residue of above the maximum residual limits set by Codex Alimentarius regulations and European Union. The finding shows that the detection of pesticide residues in cereal crops in samples obtained from the study area. It is an indication of the widespread use of pesticides in cereal crops production. Therefore, strict supervision of pesticide application in the fields, regulation of informal veterinary drug store and implmentation of integrated vector management strategy are recommended.