Pesticide residues analysis in passion fruit and its processed products by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS: Method validation, processing factors and dietary risk assessment

A method for the determination of 80 pesticides (including five metabolites) in passion fruit using ethyl acetate extraction and dispersive solid-phase extraction followed by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS was validated at LOQ of 0.005 or 0.010 mg kg(-1) (70 to 120% recovery; RSD <= 20%). Fifty-five passion fruit samples were obtained from producers, and 30 samples of frozen pulp and 12 samples of flour purchased. About 27% of the pesticides were detected; at least one in 60% of the peel samples, mainly imidacloprid and carbendazim (max. of 0.274 mg kg(-1)). Median processing factor was 0.5 for washed peel and 6.5 for dried peel (flour). About 63% of frozen pulp samples were positive, and 4 flour samples contained residues, mainly methamidophos. About 70% of the detected pesticides are not authorized in passion fruit in Brazil. Chronic and acute exposure from the consumption of passion fruit products did not indicate a health concern.

Automated summary

A method for detecting 80 pesticides in passion fruit was validated, and the results showed that some unauthorized pesticides were found in passion fruit. However, the consumption of passion fruit products does not pose a health concern based on chronic and acute exposure.