Studies on the determination of pesticide residues on figs produced in Aydin province

This study aimed to determine the residue levels in levels in 92 fresh and 50 dried fig fruit samples collected from various locations of Aydın province. The samples were analyzed using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method, and chromatographic studies were conducted using LC-MS/MS. A total of 260 different pesticides were screened, and residue levels were evaluated based on European Union Maximum Residue Limits (EU-MRL Out of the 92 fresh fig samples examined, pesticide residues were detected in 27 samples, including 13 with bifenazate, 3 with etoxazole, 5 with spiromesifen and 6 with both bifenazate and spiromesifen. At the time of sample collection, a temporary permit was issued by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for bifenazate in figs. For this pesticide, values exceeded the MRL in a total of 13 samples. Etoxazole and spiromesifen were unregistered for figs in Turkey. Etoxazole exceeded the EU-MRL in 3 samples, and spiromesifen were below the EU-MRL values. No pesticides were found in the dried fig samples.