Determination of pesticide residual levels in some citrus fruits grown in Antalya region

In citrus production, pesticides are widely applicated to control diseases, pests and weeds. These chemicals reduce product losses, increase yield, improve product quality and extend post-harvest life. Uncontrolled and unconscious use of pesticides causes serious damages especially on human health and environment. It is important to carry out residue analyzes in order to eliminate these negativities. In this study, some citrus fruits (lemon, tangerina, orange) were bought/taken from Kumluca, Serik, Aksu, Döşemealtı and Finike districts in Antalya province. 260 pesticide active ingredients were studied in a total of 176 samples, including 60 lemons, 56 tangerines and 60 oranges. Blank oranges were spiked at 10, 50 and 100 μg/kg of pesticides for method verification. Linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of measurement (LOQ), recovery, precision (repeatability, in-laboratory reproducibility) and, measurement uncertainty parameters were performed in method validation studies. The results obtained met the conditions reported in the document SANTE/11312/2021. The samples were extracted by the QuEChERS method. Chromatographic analyzes were performed on LC-MS/MS device. Pesticide residues were evaluated according to European Union Maximum Residue Limits (EU-MRL). Eight different pesticides were detected in 42 of the lemon samples, and the buprofezin in 2 lemon samples exceeded the EU-MRL values. According to the pesticide residues detected in the tangerine samples, the amount of 22 active ingredient was recorded above the MRL value. These were buprofezin, chlorpyrifos and propiconazole. Nine different pesticides were found in 35 of the orange samples. The buprofezin was found to be above the EU-MRL values in 9 of the samples.