Dados do Trabalho

Título

PREVALENCE OF PESTICIDES RESIDUES IN OLIVE OIL FROM RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRAZIL

Introdução

Olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivation has been gaining space in Brazil. The expansion of olive cultivation results in the use of pesticides not yet regulated for use in this crop. This aspect makes the presence of pesticide residues in olive oil a problem for the health of consumers. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of pesticides in extra virgin olive oil samples from Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil.

Material e Métodos

Ten (10) extra virgin comercial samples were obtained in the region of Santa Maria (RS) and the pesticides azoxystrobin, carbendazim, cyproconazole, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyriproxyfen, tebuconazole, tetraconazole and trifloxystrobin were analyzed. The presence of pesticides in olive oil samples was evaluated using the QuEChERS method (unbuffered) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry triple quadrupole (UHPLC-MS/MS-QqQ).

Resultados e Discussão

The pesticides azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin were identified in only one sample (0.005 mg L-1 and 0.008 mg L-1, respectively). These pesticides have their use allowed in Brazil for pineapple, peanut and other vegetables in a maximum residue levels (MRL) of 0.02 to 20 mg Kg-1. Tebuconazole was identified in all samples at concentrations ranging from 0.010 to 0.897 mg L-1 and the MRL of this pesticide ranges from 0.01 to 6 mg Kg-1 in cultures as coconut, rice and others. Picoxystrobin was present in two samples (0.005 and 0.007 mg L-1) and its MRL ranges from 0.01 to 0.15 mg Kg-1 in cultures as cotton, apple and others. Althoug carbendazim had its use banned in Brazil, it was identified in 3 samples (0.006 to 0.011 mg L-1) of olive oil. Even though pesticide levels are below than the mentioned MRL, these values are not specific for olive cultivation. since there is no specific legislation for the use of these pesticides for olive culture in Brazil. We demonstrated the presence of pesticides residues in extra virgin olive oil samples from RS and the actual contribution of this contamination for health remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, to establish regulations for the use of pesticides in olive cultivation in non-traditional regions, such as Brazil, is urgent, in order to ensure the safe consumption of this product.

Conclusão

We demonstrated the presence of pesticides residues in extra virgin olive oil samples from RS and the actual contribution of this contamination for health remains to be elucidated. Furthermore, to establish regulations for the use of pesticides in olive cultivation in non-traditional regions, such as Brazil, is urgent, in order to ensure the safe consumption of this product.