Determination of some pesticide residues in fresh fruits and vegetables using QuEChERS method followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The fast–growing global concern of food safety has resulted in increased monitoring of pesticide residues in food products. In this study, 250 different samples of fruits (apple, orange) and vegetables (leafy vegetables, tomato, cucumber and lettuce) were collected from terminal markets in East Azerbaijan and Ardabil provinces of Iran and analyzed to investigate the presence of 23 widely used pesticide residues using gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The obtained results showed that some chemical contents of the evaluated samples exceeded the Codex maximum residue levels (MRLs). These chemicals included 2,4–DDT, malathion, bioallethrin, cypermethrin, carbaryl, diazinon, tebuconazole, and trifloxystrobin in leafy vegetables; diniconazole, bromopropylate, and chlorpyrifos in tomatoes; imazalil in oranges; phosmet, piperonyl–butoxide, and imazalil in cucumbers; propoxur in apples; and metalaxyl, bioallethrin, and diazinon in lettuces. These results play an alarm to consumers who are concerned about the pesticide residues in their foods.