Statistical analysis of the surface residues of pesticides on some edible crops collected from Alexandria market

ABSTRACT

Provision of adequate food free from harmful ingredients [safe food] is one of the essential components of primary health care. The present study was conducted to assess the total surface residues of pesticides calculated as carbary1 or methomy1 on potatoes, tomatoes and cucumbers. These crops were collected from Alexandria markets over a period of 7 months. Potatoes showed the highest load and variability of pesticide residues, especially during July, August an September due to the application of insecticides after harvesting to prevent insect damage during storage at hot summer months and also due to the presence of highly treated potatoes which were intended to be planted during these months. Tomatoes showed higher residues than cucumbers, although this difference is not significant. All tomato and cucumber samples examined showed lower pesticide residues than the residue limit of carbary1. however, some tomato samples collected during July and September and some cucumber samples collected during July exceeded the residue limit for methomy1