Qualitative assessment of residual organochlorine pesticide in staple foods consumed in Wukari, Taraba State

BN Hikon *, GG Yebpella, EA Yerima, IA Ibrahim and M Luka

Department of Chemical Sciences, Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
International Journal of Frontiers in Science and Technology Research, 2021, 01(02), 001–006.
Article DOI: 10.53294/ijfstr.2021.1.2.0058
Publication history: 
Received on 03 July 2021; revised on 18 August 2021; accepted on 20 August 2021
 
Abstract: 
This study was aimed to determine the residual organochlorine presence in some staple foods; Yam (Dioscorea spp) and Bambara nut (Vigna subterranean) sold in Wukari markets. Samples were randomly collected from three major markets across the study areas. Representative samples were cleansed, dried, pulverized and sieved. Extractions were determined using standard analytical techniques while residual organochlorine pesticides were determined using GCMS. The detected organochlorine pesticide residues in yam were Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), heptachlor, dieldrin, toxaphene and Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDE) while those detected in Bambara nut were 1, 4dichlorobenzene, methoxychlor, pentachlorophenol, DDT, and toxaphene. This preliminary assessment showed that Yam and Bambara nut consumed in Wukari contained certain level of organochlorine pesticide residues which may be detrimental to human health in the nearest future.
 
Keywords: 
Organochlorine; Pesticides; Yam; Bambara nut; Food; Residues
 
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