Polish researchers investigate how much pesticides we consume with fruits
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Loading... - Emma Jackson
- 02 Nov 2022
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The conclusions of their research were published in Applied Sciences (https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031417). Researchers also show how to effectively to get rid of these pollutants at home.
The authors of the study say that in the last 10 years certain pesticides have been completely banned from use in apple and citrus trees. They checked whether food producers complied with the new regulations; and to what extent the pesticide residues remained on the fruits sold to consumers. They also assessed how to most effectively reduce any residues of these compounds with simple methods: washing and peeling.
The research was conducted in 2012 and 2020. The scientists analysed various fruit species: apples (cultivars Jonagold, Gala, Gloster, Rubin, Jonagored, Szampion, Ligol, Alwa, Golden Delicious), oranges, grapefruits (red) and lemons. Apples came from domestic crops, while citrus fruits from Spain, Cyprus, Turkey and South Africa. All fruits were purchased at markets in Lublin.
Before detailed analyses, some fruits were washed under a stream of cold water, others were left unwashed.
It turned out that between 2012 and 2020 there was a clear reduction in the pesticide content in edible parts of the fruits. Importantly, no banned plant protection products were found in the newer samples.
The study authors found that fruit producers comply with regulations.
Apples and citrus fruits are considered to be valuable health-promoting food as they contain biologically active components such as ascorbic acid, carotene (provitamin A) and group B vitamins, flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, which have beneficial effects for human health. Systematic consumption of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of civilisation diseases and also facilitates body mass control. Reports of the World Health Organisation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation recommend that adults should consume at least five portions of fruits and vegetables daily.”
Apple trees and citrus trees are attacked by numerous pathogenic fungi and by pests. For this reason, plant protection agents are commonly applied in conventional cultivations, at various stages of plant development, to prevent a reduction in yields. Residues of pesticides in fruits originating from such cultivations may constitute a hazard for human health
EU regulations specify the maximum residue limit (MRL) for pesticides in food of plant origin. The values of MRL are updated on the basis of current data on the safety of application of such plant protection agents, and within the last decade, certain pesticides have been banned from use in crop plant cultivations. Read More…
