Determination of pesticide residual levels in some fruits growed in Antalya

The main reason for the low yield in plant production is the losses caused by diseases and pests. The most common method used to eliminate these losses is chemical control. Due to the pollution of the soils as a result of the use of chemical pesticides for many years, and the resistance of diseases and pests to chemical pesticides, chemical control does not show the expected performance, but also causes intense damage to the environment. Pesticides are of great importance for the control of malaria, filariasis, yellow fever, viral encephalitis, typhus and other vector-borne diseases that threaten human health and are transmitted by various insects, rodents and other harmful organisms. Pesticides can be classified according to the organisms they target. As a result of the unconscious and uncontrolled use of pesticides, harmful organisms can have negative effects on human health and the environment through the risks of forming resistance and their residues. These residues adversely affect the foreign market and domestic consumption of agricultural products. Therefore, governments and international organizations regulate pesticide use and set the maximum acceptable residue levels in foods. Despite all inspections and regulations, the amount of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables is increasing day by day. Turkey is the homeland of many fruit species, especially important temperate climate fruit species, due to its superior geographical location and its different ecological conditions. Due to these superior advantages, we have regions with high fruit growing potential in many parts of our country. Especially when it comes to highland fruit growing, some of our regions have a different advantage. Antalya province has an important place in our country's agriculture in terms of its potential. One of the more suitable areas for the cultivation of temperate climate fruit species, which is called the gateway region in fruit growing, is the Korkuteli District of Antalya. Korkuteli district meets more than half of Antalya province's total fruit production (406.451 tons) (241.755 tons). 12,9% of Turkey's apple production and 8,4% of pear production are carried out in Antalya. These data show that Korkuteli district, which is determined as the research area, has a very important place in apple and pear cultivation in Antalya province, as well as an important share in apple and pear production in Turkey. The most grown fruit types are apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries and walnuts. In this study, it was aimed to reveal the pesticide residues in apple, pear and peach, which are the fruits most grown in the 2020 production season in Korkuteli district of Antalya province. In the study, 5 apple, 19 pear and 11 peach samples were examined in terms of residue levels. Residue analyzes of the samples were made on LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer) and GC-MS-MS (Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer) devices. According to the analysis results; The residue amounts found were evaluated according to the Turkish Food Codex and the European Union Maximum Residue Levels (MRL). Residue was detected in the analysis results of all apple and pear samples and 10 of the peach samples, but it was observed that the amount of residue was not above the MRL values. No residue was found in only one of the peach samples. Considering the data obtained, it proves that the producers of apple, pear and peach cultivation are conscious about pesticide applications and waiting time.