Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in Jordan using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A total of 158 fruit and vegetable samples produced in Jordan were examined for the presence of pesticide residues using the multi-residue analysis technique by Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and the QuEchERS extraction method. A total of 73 samples (46%) were free from detectable residues, while 85 samples (54%) contained residues. Among the tested samples, 34 (22%) contained residues above Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) and 51 (32%) contained residues at or below MRLs. Most of the detected residues were found in sweet pepper, peach and apricot samples. Only watermelon samples were free from detectable residues, while tomato and melon samples exhibited residues below MRLs. Out of the 113 pesticides tested, 22 pesticides were found above the limit of detection, 9 of which (hexaconazole, propargite, propiconazole, myclobutanil, thiamethoxam, thiacloprid, clothianidin, clofentezine and pyridaben) had residues that violate MRLs according to European regulations. A continuous monitoring programme for pesticide residues in Jordanian fruits and vegetables is highly recommended.