RESEARCH JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7080
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/RJFSN
Start Year: 2016
Email: rjfsn@integrityresjournals.org
Determination of pesticide residues in Cameroonian honey by QuEChERS method and public health significance
https://doi.org/10.31248/RJFSN2024.177 | Article Number: F729C9482 | Vol.9 (3) - June 2024
Received Date: 03 May 2024 | Accepted Date: 20 June 2024 | Published Date: 30 June 2024
Authors: Ngah Osoe Bouli Freddy Patrick* , Mohammadou Bouba Adji , Adamou Moise , Moffo Frédéric , Hamidou liman , Wafo Fokam Agnès Jorelle , Mouiche Moctar Mohammed Mouliom and Mamoudou Abdoulmoumini
Keywords: honey, Cameroon, health risk, toxic compound, QuECHERS.
Pesticides and food contamination has become one of the major health problems throughout the years with almost all agricultural foods exposed over the world. Honey, one of the most consumed products has been described in various parts of the world as exposed to pesticides contamination, but few studies have looked to this issue in Africa. In Cameroon where honey production has known an increase over the past decade, no study has been done to evaluate the presence of pesticides or any toxic compound and its related health significance. Therefore, this study was designed and caried out from January to December 2022, in order to assess the level of honey contamination in the main productive areas of Cameroon respectively (Bimodal Forest, Sudanoguinean and western highlands agroecological areas). 50 samples of 100 g of honey was collected in sterile tubes at the level of hives, after extraction and in the markets and analysed using QuECHERS method. Hazard Index was used to assess health risk associated with the consumption of honey in Cameroon. Thirteen samples were found positive for an overall prevalence of 8.69±0.29% with 23.37±0.32% in the western highlands and 6.67±0.55% in the bimodal forest zone. Satratoxin-h, Methyl-Diclofop, Fumaronitrile and propiolonitrile were identified and no health risk was associated with their presence as the Hazard Index value was estimated to 1.08x10-8. Even if there are no public health hazards associated with pesticide contamination in the country, it should be taken seriously in order to prevent any increase in contamination in the future.
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