Abstract

PEREZ, Ma. Antonia et al. Organophosphate pesticide residues in broccoli (Brassica oleracea) heads determined by gas chromatography. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2009, vol.25, n.2, pp.103-110. ISSN 0188-4999.

Handling of pests in broccoli culture was documented; also, the residues of organophosphate pesticides were determined in broccoli heads by means of gas chromatography and capillary column. The results indicate that the pests of most incidence in broccoli are Brevicoryne brassicae, Trichoplusia ni, Copitarsia consueta, Artogeia rapae, Trialeurodes sp and Bermisia tabaci, as reported by producers, with a frequency of 82.5, 80, 80, 70 and 37.7 % respectively. The pest control is chemical in its totality, using organophosphate, pyrethroid and carbamate products, ranging from 1 to 4 applications. The pesticide residues found most frequently in the qualitative analysis are: malathion, diazinon and chlorfenvinphos, in 70, 65 and 43 % of the samples respectively. Regarding concentrations, there were found: chlorfenvinphos, malathion and diazinon with 5.78, 2.67 and 1.16 mg kg^-1, followed by fenthion and ethion, with average concentrations of 0.041 and 0.024 mg kg^-1. It should be noted that 87 % of the analyzed samples contained organophosphate pesticide residues; even though the concentrations are below the recommended standards, it is still important to assess the risk on human health by means of an analysis of the additive effect of the found residues. Also, it is recommended to take the necessary measures so these concentrations will not increase, which is possible to be guaranteed through continuous monitoring.

Keywords : Mixquic; agrochemical residues; contamination; Brassica oleracea.