Prevalence of Pesticide Residues in Vegetables from Markets and Supermarkets in Muang District, Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

Objective: To study the prevalence of pesticide residues in vegetables from markets and supermarkets in Muang district, Maha Sarakham province. Method: The researchers collected 11-13 samples of 15 vegetables (a total of 193 samples) including basil, yard long bean, Chinese kale, Chinese morning glory, Chinese cabbage, Thai eggplant, cucumber, chili, white radish, cabbage, sweet basil, basilic, coriander, spring onion, and lettuce. The samples were collected from 3 fresh markets, one Tuesday market, and 3 supermarkets. Subsequently, the samples were tested for pesticide residues with GT pesticide test kit with 60 minute testing time. If pesticide residues in the samples inhibited more than 50% of the function of cholinesterase enzyme, the samples were regarded as having unsafe levels of pesticide residues. Results: There were 31 samples (16.0%) of vegetable samples with unsafe levels of pesticide residues, 75 samples (38.9%) with pesticide residues at the safe levels, and 87 samples (45.1%) with no detectable pesticides residues. When classified by vegetables, the samples with the highest percentage of unsafe levels of pesticides were chili (11 out of 13 chili samples or 84.6%), followed by basil ( 4 out of 11 basil samples or 30.8%). The vegetables with no pesticide residues at the unsafe level were Chinese morning glory, cucumber, and lettuce. No detectable pesticides in 62.9%, 53.8% and 46.2% of these vegetables, respectively. Conclusion: The study of prevalence of pesticide residues in vegetables collected from markets and supermarkets provided the information for monitoring the situation. Consumer should realize the harm of vegetables with pesticide residues. The relevant agencies should test and monitor pesticide residues in vegetables, as well as should support agriculturists to grow vegetables without the use of pesticides for safe consumption of vegetables among consumers.