ORGANOCHLORINE AND ORGANOPHOSPHORUS PESTICIDES RESIDUES, AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS IN PINEAPPLE (Ananas comosus L.)

Abstract

This study was based on the analysis of pineapple (Ananas comosus L) quality through physiochemical characterization (°Brix, titratable acidity, pH, % humidity, color) and determination of pesticides residues (organochlorine and organophosphorus), the analysis of the samples was carried out in four different lots, chosen previously for their distribution and location inside plantation. For better comparison of results, the fruit was separated in two parts (internal and external), and the liquid-liquid extraction process (LLE) followed by clean up, was applied to each of these parts. The residues of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides were identifed and quantifed by gas chromatography with micro electron capture detector (GC-µECD). This study found a high concentration of many pesticides, several highly toxic, was also found that some pesticides can penetrate into the fruit despite the protection offered by the skin.