DETERMINATION OF PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN DRY FISHES CONSUMED IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The study was carried out to analyze pesticide residues in two common dry fishes (Ganges river sprat and Bombay duck) collected from 18 different markets of Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts during August to November 2019. The collected samples were analyzed using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction technique and Gas Chromatography (GC) coupled with Flame Thermionic Detector (FTD) for the determination of 7 commonly used pesticides i.e. Diazinon, Chlorpyrifos, Dimethoate, Quinalphos, Fenitrothion, Acephate and Malathion in 18 samples of Ganges river sprat and 18 samples of Bombay duck. Among the 18 analyzed samples of Ganges river sprat, 9 samples (50% of the total number of samples) contained residues of Dimethoate, and all the contaminated samples contained residue above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Out of 18 samples of Bombay duck, 10 samples (55.55% of the total number of samples) contained residues of Dimethoate and Chlorpyrifos, where 7 sample contained multiple residues, 3 samples contained single residue, and all the contaminated samples (10 samples) contained residue above the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). This study reflects the overall scenario of pesticide residues remain in Ganges river sprat and Bombay duck consumed in the northern region of Bangladesh, which will help the consumers and policy makers to be aware of their health and safety.