Document Type : Original Article
Author
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Uyo, Nigeria
Abstract
Because pesticides are ubiquitous and focused on the food chain, they are a substantial source of possible environmental danger to humans and animals. The highest extremely hazardous herbicides to be launched in 60 years ago is paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridylium dichloride). Although most nations have prohibited or severely limited the use of paraquat (PQ), it is still used in others, particularly in Nigeria. As a result, the present study used a spectrophotometric method to look for PQ in some vegetables, crops, and fruits in Abeokuta that are commonly consumed. The presence and amounts of PQ residues were assessed in 150 samples of various vegetables, crops, and fruits (harvested at Fadama field of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta). PQ residues were detected in Talinum triangulare, Corchorus olitorius, Amaranthus caudatus, Cratylia argentea, Capsicum frutescens, Lycopersicum esculentum, Raphanus sativus, Zea may, and Dioscorea alata at 0.130.02, 0.27+0.02, 0.06+0.01, 0.10+0.03, 0.15+0.03, 0. Using this technique, no paraquat residues were found in M. paradisicica or C. papaya. At 0.05-1.0 ppm fortification level, the technique yields a mean recovery of over 80% and is reproducible with a total coefficient of variation of 8.0 percent (n=10). All residual levels found were under the PQ tolerance or pesticide maximum limits.
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