Quantification of pesticide residues in cow milk samples collected from district Sargodha Punjab, Pakistan
Quantification of pesticide residues in cow milk samples collected from district Sargodha Punjab, Pakistan
FARZANA SIDDIQUE*1, NAZIMA FIRDOSE2, MUHAMMAD ARSHAD2, WARDAH HASSAN2
& SHAFAAT YAR KHAN2
ABSTRACT
Milk and milk products are known to have high nutritional value. Milk is a
source of energy and it contains all required building proteins, bone
forming minerals and fats. Milk is contaminated with pesticides and
consumption of contaminated milk, meat and dairy products is the cause
of high level of pesticides in the human body. Milk is a good source of
dissolving pesticide residues which are fat soluble. Present study was
designed keeping in view the nutritional importance of milk and its
contamination through pesticides application. For this purpose, raw cow
milk samples from citrus plantation zone in district Sargodha were
collected and analyzed for the presence of deltamethrin and malathion
pesticides using HPLC technique. Results showed that 100 % of milk
samples were contaminated with pesticide residues. Maximum
concentration of malathion (0.72±0.02 μg/kg) and deltamethrin (0.75±0.04
μg/kg) was found in cow milk samples collected from Sargodha. Minimum
pesticide residues were found in cow milk collected from Tehsil Bhera.
Both deltamethrin and malathion concentration in milk samples varied in
all zones. None of the samples showed concentration higher than MRL
prescribed by FAO. These results are of concern as adverse health
effects exerted by deltamethrin and malathion are well known. The results
of this study confirm the risks of pesticide residues exposure that threaten
consumer health in all districts of Sargodha. So, it is recommended that
the pesticide residue monitoring programs must be instituted in Pakistan.
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June 2020
Vol.66, Iss. 1, Pages 1-126
