Occurrence and distribution of Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in tomato (Licopersicon esculentum) crops from organic production.

GONZALEZ, MARIANA; MIGLIORANZA, KARINA SILVIA BEATRIZ; AIZPÚN DE MORENO, JULIA ELENA; MORENO, VICTOR JORGE

JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY

American Chemical Society

Lugar: USA; Año: 2003 vol. 51 p. 1353 - 1359

0021-8561

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were quantified by GC-ECD in tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum) during a vegetation period. Plants were harvested at 15, 60 and 151 days after seed germination. Leaves, stem, roots and fruit (peel and flesh) were analyzed separately. The results showed that tomato plants were able to accumulate OCPs from soils and a trend to reach the equilibrium among tissues at mature stages was also observed. Endosulfans was the main OCPs group probably due to its spray during summer months in the surrounding areas. Banned pesticides such us DDTs, heptachlor and dieldrin were found. OCPs levels in the fruit were below the maximum residues limits (MRL) considerated by the Codex Alimentarius. The DDE/DDT and a-/g- HCH ratios below one would indicate recent inputs of DDT and Lindane in the environment. The occurrence of OCPs in the study farm, where agrochemical have never been used, is a result of atmospheric deposition of those pesticides.