ABSTRACT
In this study, pesticide residues in parsley, lettuce and spinach (120 samples) were analyzed by the application of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All samples of spinach, parsley or lettuce contained residues of three or more active substances. In parsley, carbendazim (100.0%), dichlorvos (100.0%), fenarimol (40.0%), pendimethalin (95.0%), in lettuce, diazinon (30.0%), dichlorvos (100.0%), pendimethalin (92.5%) phenthoate (12.5%), and in spinach, carbendazim (45.0%), cymoxanil (85.0%), dichlorvos (100.0%) and fenarimol (85.0%) were the significant active compounds. The maximum residue limits were exceeded in 28, 20 and 40 samples of parsley, lettuce and spinach, respectively. The results showed that there was a high occurrence of pesticide residues in parsley, lettuce and spinach samples from Hatay province, in which most of them were prohibited from use in Turkey for these vegetables. The contamination levels of these residues may be considered a serious public health problem according to the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of Turkey and the European Union (EU).
ABSTRACT
Minimally processed ready-to-eat pomegranate arils have become popular due to their convenience, high value, unique sensory characteristics, and health benefits. The objective of this study was to monitor quality parameters and to extend the shelf life of ready-to-eat pomegranate arils packaged with modified atmospheres. Minimally processed pomegranate arils were packed in PP trays sealed with BOPP film under 4 atmospheres including low and super atmospheric oxygen. Packaged arils were stored at 5 degrees C for 18 d and monitored for internal atmosphere and quality attributes. Atmosphere equilibrium was reached for all MAP applications except for high oxygen. As a general trend, slight or no significant change was detected in chemical and physical attributes of pomegranate arils during cold storage. The aerobic mesophilic bacteria were in the range of 2.30 to 4.51 log CFU/g at the end of the storage, which did not affect the sensory quality. Overall, the pomegranate arils packed with air, nitrogen, and enriched oxygen kept quality attributes and were acceptable to sensory panelists on day 18; however, marketability period was limited to 15 d for the low oxygen atmosphere. PP trays sealed with BOPP film combined with either passive or active modified atmospheres and storage at 5 degrees C provided commercially acceptable arils for 18 d with high quality and convenience.
