Organochlorine pesticide residues in tilapia species fish and the influence of thermal treatment and freezing storgement on their levels

ABSTRACT

Thirty fish samples of Tilapia species were collected randomly from Alexandria fish markets. The samples were screened for organochlorine pesticide [DDT, dieldrin and lindane] in fish muscles. The mean concentrations of DDT, dieldrin and lindane in fish muscles were 3.67 +/- 0.59, 0.17 +/- 0.03 and 0.75 +/- 0.21, respectively. No pesticide residues could be detected in positive samples after being exposed to heat treatment [roasting for 20 minutes and frying in oil for 15 minutes]. However, freezing for one month at -20C had slight significant effect on pesticide residues, while freezing storage for up to two months was sufficient for destruction of such residues in tested samples. The toxicity and public health significance of organochlorine pesticide were discussed