Analysis of Pesticide Residual Levels In Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain, Flour and Processed Items in Selected Areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

In this study, the residual levels of Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in maize grain, maize flour and processed items were determined. A total of 90 samples were collected and analyzed by Gas chromatography Tandem Mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Several OPPs residues including Dichlorvos (964.38 ± 143.21 μg/kg), Methyl Parathion (43.98 ± 12.90 μg/kg) and Dursban (Chlorpyrifos) (39.82 ± 10.75 μg/kg) were detected in maize grain samples while Dichlorvos (128.65 ± 22.78 μg/kg) and Dursban (Chlorpyrifos) (12.54 ± 7.66 μg/kg) were detected in maize flour samples and no OPPs residues were detected in processed maize items. Among the OCPs residues, p′,p′-DDE (6.54 ± 2.66 μg/kg), p′,p′-DDD (3.54 ± 2.98 μg/kg) and p′,p′-DDT (4.32 ± 2.98 μg/kg) were detected in maize grain samples while no residues were detected in maize flour and processed items. None of detected pesticide residual concentration exceeds the maximum residue limits (MRLs). From this analysis it can be concluded that, there have no potential health hazards from raw and processed maize items from the studied area.