Contaminants in Food and Beverages Monitoring of Pesticidal Contamination of Vegetables from Maharashtra

Abstract: Samples of brinjal. lady finger and onion leaves analysis carried out by analytical technique. Samples contained residues above MRL values. The contamination was mainly with organophosphates followed by organochlorines. Among organophosphates, residues of monocrotophos, quinalphos and chlorpyriphos exceeded the MRL value in 36 % and 23 % samples of brinjal and fenugreek. Residues of monocrotophos were higher than MRL value in 3 samples of brinjal and lady finger. chlorpyriphos in samples of onion leaves and quinalphos in of lady finger. Among synthetic pyrethroids, cypermethrin was the major contaminant and its residue exceeded the MRL value in sample each of brinjal, lady finger.The residues of some organochlorines, i.e. HCH, DDT and endosulfan were found in all the samples but did not exceed the tolerence limit. Key word: Vegetables, Maximum residue limit (MRL)- monitoring, organochlorines, organophosphates, brinjal, fenugreek, onion leaves