Determination of pesticide residues in fruits: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Abstract

Abstract The present study assessed different pesticide residues (insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, acaricide, ovacide, nematicide, miticide, and veterinary substance) in various fruits based on the type of fruits and the mainland. The studies conducted on concentrations of pesticides in various fruits were collected from reliable databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus from November 17, 1995, to October 26, 2021. Based on the findings, the average level of pesticides in various fruits was 0.44 mg/kg and 95% CI (0.39-0.49 mg/kg). The ranking of pesticides in different fruits was in the order of fungicide> nematicide > insecticide > herbicide > acaricide > ovacide > veterinary substance. The highest and the lowest mean and 95% CI of pesticides were related to raspberries 6.03 mg/kg (1.4, 8.5 mg/kg) and nectarine 0.015mg/kg (0.012, 0.019 mg/kg). Furthermore, according to the mainland the pesticide concentration in different fruits was in the order of fungicide> veterinary substance > nematicide > insecticide > herbicide > acaricide > ovacide > miticide. The highest concentration of pesticides in Europe and North America was related to veterinary substance and herbicide while fungicide was reported in Africa, Asia, and South America. The value of this meta-analysis lies in risk models and that it can be used by health strategists and monitoring programs aiming to lower the concentration of different pesticide residues in various fruits.