Pyrethroid insecticide residue in ‘Grande Naine’ banana peel and pulp during maturation

Abstract In banana farming, the bagging of bunches with bags impregnated by pyrethroid insecticide is a practice that prevents damage to fruits caused by insect pests. The aim of this study was to monitor the presence and permanence of bifenthrin residue during the maturation of ‘Grande Naine’ banana by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer in the selective ion mode (GC-MS-SIM). Fruits were from bagged and non-bagged bunches and the extraction of bifenthrin residue from peel and pulp was performed with QuEChERS and LSE-LTP (Liquid-Solid Extraction - Low Temperature Partitioning) methods. The maturation stages were characterized as 1; 3 and 7 depending on the fruit peel color. The bifenthrin recovery percentages in banana peel and pulp obtained by QuEChERS and LSE-LTP methods are between 97% and 117%, and therefore, within the criteria of acceptability for residues of agrochemicals according to the Brazilian legislation and vary according to the matrix. The mean bifenthrin concentrations in the peel of fruits from bagged bunches were 0.34 mg kg -1, 0.29 mg kg -1 and 0.10 mg kg -1 at stage 1 (harvest point); 3 and 7, respectively. No bifenthrin residue was detected in fruit pulp at any maturation stage