Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Wolfberry and Dietary Exposure Risk Assessment / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the levels of pesticide residues in Wolfberry and evaluate the intake exposure of pesticide residues. METHODS: A total of 332 kinds of pesticides in 40 samples collected from different areas were determined and dietary intake exposure risks were assessed. Risk assessment was conducted by using deterministic approach for the pesticides with detection rate over 20%. RESULTS: The analysis showed that 94% of the samples contained low levels of pesticide residues, and 85% of the samples contained five or more kinds of pesticide residues. Totally 31 pesticides were detected, most of which have low or moderate toxicity. However, carbofuran which is forbidden in Chinese herbs was detected. Risk assessment found that carbofuran had the highest acute risk and chronic risk, with risk probabilities of 89.523% and 2.000%, respectively. As the values were below 100%, it was indicated that the threat of this pesticide in Wolfberry to human health is acceptable. CONCLUSION: The maximum residue limit of carbofuran in Wolfberry should be established as soon as possible. In this study, deterministic model is used to assess the risk of pesticide residues in Chinese Wolfberry, with the aim to propose an appropriate assessment model for traditional Chinese medicine and provide data for maximum residue limit.