Pesticide Residues in Pome Fruits: Occurrence, Quality Profiling, and Advanced Dietary Risk Characterisation

Area of Science:

• Food Safety Analysis
• Consumer Health Risk Assessment
• Agricultural Chemistry

Background:

• Pesticide residues in pome fruits pose significant food safety and consumer health concerns.
• Understanding residue levels and associated risks is crucial for regulatory bodies and consumers.
• Türkiye is a major producer of pome fruits, necessitating regional safety assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify pesticide residues in apples, pears, and quinces from Türkiye.
• To assess the health risks associated with pesticide exposure from pome fruit consumption.
• To evaluate the quality and safety profile of these fruits based on residue levels.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 222 pesticide residues in 155 fruit samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
• Calculation of the index of quality for residues (IqR) for commodity-specific quality assessment.
• Deterministic and probabilistic risk assessment models to evaluate chronic and acute exposure risks.

Main Results:

• Pesticide residues detected in 76.4% of apples, 86% of pears, and 30% of quinces.
• Pear samples showed the highest maximum residue level (MRL) exceedance rate (30%), followed by apples (14.5%).
• Acetamiprid posed a high chronic risk in apples and an acute risk in children for both apples and pears; pears showed medium risks, quinces low risks.

Conclusions:

• Quince samples presented the most favourable residue profile, with 96% classified as excellent or good quality.
• While chronic risks were generally low, acute exposure to acetamiprid in apples and pears presents a risk to children.
• Combined consumption highlights acetamiprid and spirodiclofen as key contributors to chronic risk, underscoring the need for targeted monitoring and risk management strategies.