Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Grains Sold In Major Commercial Markets in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume V, Issue IX, September 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

 Assessment of Pesticide Residues in Grains Sold In Major Commercial Markets in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

 Oguntade Adesola Saheed^1*, Sawyerr Henry Olawale², Salami John Tolulope^3
1-3Department of Environmental Health Science, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author

Abstract: Pesticides provide protect to grains against destructive pests but its residues or metabolites has been linked to various health challenges. Its lipophilic nature and consumption of food with residue results into the accumulation of the residues beyond the level which the body can handle which leads to gradual deterioration of health and eventual emergence of disease state. The aim of this study is to assess nine (9) composite samples of the grains that are mostly consumed in the study area (millet, maize and beans) in order to ascertain presence of pesticide in grans sold I the study area. Samples were randomly collected from three (3) major markets in Ilorin Kwara State, Nigeria. Laboratory Analysis was carried out by extraction method for de-fatting of the samples. Qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed using gas chromatography with electron capture and flame ionization. All the nine (9) samples (100%) contained several pesticide residues which are not conventional with hexadecanoic acid (with mean value of 21.07, 33.06 and 13.38 in millet, maize and beans), hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (with mean value of 4.43, 7.95 and 5.43 in millet, maize and beans) and 9, 12 octadecanoic acid (with mean value of 9.41, 19.10 and 4.57 in millet, maize and beans) recorded in all the samples collected from the three (3) markets. Hexadecanoic acid, an acaricide pesticide residue that is neither classified by WHO nor approved by EU for use as preservative. No residue of conventional pesticide was detected in any of the samples analysed which is an indication that use of conventional pesticide is phasing out among the traders in the markets surveyed.

Keywords: grains, pesticide residues, composite, chromatography, hexadecanoic acid

I. INTRODUCTION

The world population is projected to be 8.5 billion people by 2030 with an annual growth rate of 1.2% of world population [12,3] and with increasing food demand to feed the growing population, the use of pesticides in meeting this increasing food demand has become imminent [22].

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