Simultaneous screening of 211 pesticide residues in date fruits in Iran and health risk assessments based on Mont Carlo simulation

Nature
Feb 24, 2025

Simultaneous screening of 211 pesticide residues in date fruits in Iran and health risk assessments based on Mont Carlo simulation


In this study, 211 pesticides were analyzed simultaneously using a QuEChERS method coupled with GC–MS–MS and LC–MS–MS in 90 fresh date fruit samples produced in Kerman Province. Probabilistic estimates of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation-based hazard Quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR). The linearity of 0.015–0.30 mg kg−1 with the coefficient of determination (R2) values exceeding 0.9989 were achieved. The percentage of recoveries, limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantification (LOQs), Relative standard deviation (RSD %) and matrix effect (ME) were determined in the range of 77–119%, 0.001–0.003 mg kg−1 and 0.005–0.01 mg kg−1, ≤ 15% and − 7.5 to 14.2%, respectively. Among 90 analyzed date fruits, 9 samples (10%) contained at least one pesticide residue, whereas 5 samples (5.5%) showed pesticide residues exceeding maximum residual limit (MRL) according to the national and European Commission. The obtained HQ values for the target pesticides were as cypermethrin > imazalil > permethrind > endosulfan > Fenpropathrin. The HI values for adult and child consumers with all pesticide residues were lower than 1. The CR was less than 1.0E-6 value. Thus, there was no carcinogenic risk to the consumers of date fruits.