Organochlorine Pesticide Residues In Honey From South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is ranking ninth highest honey producer in the world and the leading producer of honey and beeswax in Africa. Pesticide application in crops can contaminate soil, air, water, and the flowers from which bees collect nectar for honey production, which may cause the introduction of those toxic chemicals into the food chain, affecting human health. The main purpose of this study was analysis of organochlorine pesticide residues in honey collected from selected zone of southwest Ethiopia. An Experiments study was conducted and a total 22 samples were collected from 11 site selected in four different zones of southwest Ethiopia. Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction (DLLM) was used to extract residues from the honey samples and were investigated for the presence of nine organochlorine pesticide residues by using Gas Chromatography with ECD. Out of the total samples analyzed, the organochlorine pesticide residues were identified in samples collected from seven sites. Out of the major harvesting time sample from Channa and minor harvesting time from Limmu 69.29% and 17.81% were contaminated with DDT. A total 9.09% of the honey samples showed concentrations below the MRLs, 54.35 % of the honey samples exceeding the MRLs and 36.36% the samples were free from measurable pesticide residues. Comprehensive research into the effects of pesticides on honeybees and their products decline to which this study targeted to contribute is important