Pesticide residues in fresh Mazafati date fruit, soil, and water, and assessment of potential health risks to consumers.

A quantitative method based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe technique (QuEChERS) sample extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was evolved for the determination of 47 pesticide residues in fresh Mazafati date fruits from Bam City of Kerman Province, Iran. The recoveries for selected pesticides ranged from 88 to 110% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 20% at concentrations of 0.05 and 0.1 mg kg-1. The proposed method had a linear range from the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 1.00 mg kg-1, and the LOQ of the 47 pesticides was ≤ 0.005 mg kg-1. The coefficients of determination (R2) were more than 0.99. This technique was used on 12 fresh date fruits samples, three water samples, and three soil samples with three replications per sample. Forty-seven pesticide were detected collectively, but only diazinon was detected in the date fruit samples. The mean value of diazinon residues was 0.037 mg kg-1, and the concentration of diazinon in most samples was below the national maximum residue limit (MRL) for date fruit (0.05 mg kg-1). Among the pesticides measured, diazinon residues were also detected in the water samples, but not in the soil samples. The dietary intake assessment showed no health risk to humans from the consumption of fresh date fruit concerning the pesticides investigated.

Cumulative risk assessment of dietary exposure of the adult population in Serbia to pesticides that have chronic effects on the thyroid gland through fresh fruits and vegetables.

In contrast to the traditional approach to risk assessment, which focuses on a single chemical, cumulative exposure and risk assessment considers the consequences of exposure to multiple chemical combinations. A cumulative risk assessment of dietary exposure of adult females and adult males to pesticides with chronic effects on the thyroid was conducted by estimation of the Total Margin of Exposure (MOET). Exposure to each active substance was estimated using a second-order Monte Carlo simulation. Input values for the simulation were based on over 2300 conventionally produced fruit and vegetable samples analysed from 2021 to 2023 and consumption data collected using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and 24h recall method. MOET values, for both populations assessed, did not exceed thresholds for regulatory consideration established by risk managers. Considering that MOETs values from consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables were relatively close to the threshold value, total exposure to the pesticides could likely reach risk-associated MOET levels, through the consumption of other food products that may be contaminated.

Method development, validation, and risk assessment of multiple pesticide residues of fruits in China.

In this study, a muti-residue analysis method of 40 pesticides in five different categories of fruits in China was developed based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Five hundred real samples were analyzed and assessed for the dietary exposure risk. The sample treatment method was optimized by comparing four clean-up methods. The matrix effects of different fruits were evaluated. The analytical method was validated in terms of linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, and precision. The results showed that the optimal method was the treatment by clean up with ODS (octadecylsilane) and MgSO4. The matrix effect was the strongest in orange and weakest in apple. The LOD and LOQ of pesticides were 0.04-5.9 µg kg-1 and 0.13-19.5 µg kg-1, respectively. The recoveries at three spiked levels were ranged from 71.2 to 115.2% with the RSDs from 0.1 to 19.6%. Twenty-two pesticides were detected in 500 fruit samples from the major production regions of China, with concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1930 µg kg-1. A total of 13, 10, 9, 8, and 4 pesticides were detected in peach, orange, grape, apple, and strawberry. Both the acceptable daily intake (ADI) and acute reference dose (ARfD) for all the detected pesticides were lower than 100%, indicating that the dietary intake risks are acceptable and would not pose potential health risks.

Sustainable use of low-cost adsorbents prepared from waste fruit peels for the removal of selected reactive and basic dyes found in wastewaters.

Agricultural wastes are potential sustainable adsorbents since they are available in large quantities, are low-cost, and may require little or no treatment, in some cases. In this study, several fruit peels, such as banana, orange, and pomegranate, were collected from local markets and prepared by a simple and eco-friendly method and used as natural adsorbents for the removal of both anionic (Reactive Red 120 (RR120), Reactive Black 5 (RB5), Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR)) and cationic Methylene Blue (MB) dyes found in wastewaters. Many industries, such as leather and textiles, can release huge amounts of synthetic dyes into the wastewater during dyeing processes. These are one of the most important pollutants of water pollution as they cause enormous damage to the water body and also affect the health of organisms due to their toxicity and carcinogenicity. The search for a sustainable and at the same time efficient material for the removal of a wide variety of dyes is the innovation of this work. These peels were prepared by washing, drying, grinding, and finally sieving, under natural sustainable conditions. Porosometry (BET analysis), FTIR, SEM/EDS, and XRD techniques were used to characterize the fruit peels before and after the adsorption process. Factors affecting the adsorption of dyes (adsorbent dosage, pH solution, initial concentration of dyes, contact time, and temperature) were investigated. According to the results, in terms of the effectiveness of fruit peels as (natural) adsorbent materials, for anionic dyes, 5.0-6.0 g/L of banana or orange dry peels was sufficient to remove near or even more than 90% anionic dyes at pH 2.0, and 4.0 g/L was sufficient to remove 98% of cationic MB dye at pH 9.0. Similar amount of pomegranate peels had lower efficiency for anionic dyes (50-70%), while cationic MB was still efficiently removed (98%) at pH 9.0. Moreover, the adsorption process in all cases was found to better fit to pseudo-second-order model, in comparison to pseudo-first-order model. According to isotherms, Freundlich model fitted better in some cases to the equilibrium data, while the Langmuir model in others. Finally, this study demonstrates the viability of reusing the banana, orange, and pomegranate peel adsorbents for eight, four, and five cycles, showing a gradual reduction of around 50% of their effectiveness.

Chemical Characterization, Phenolic Compounds Quantification, and Assessment of Antioxidant and Anti-Acetylcholinesterase Activities of Byrsonima sericea DC fruits.

Byrsonima sericea is a species native to Brazil that is widely used in traditional medicine. The seed ethanol extract (SEE) had the highest content of total phenols (179.35 mg GAE g-1 extract) and flavonoids (10.42 mg QE g-1 extract) and was the most active in relation to antioxidant activity (DPPH: IC50 =4.25 µg mL-1 and ABTS: IC50 =4.82 µg mL-1 ). The peel/pulp ethanol extract (PEE) had the best anticholinesterase activity (IC50 =6.02 µg mL-1 ). Chromatographic investigation identified gallic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin and amentoflavone in SEE, and gallic acid, isoquercitrin, quercetin and rutin in PEE. Six fatty acid methyl esters and seven triterpenes were identified, highlighting oleic acid in the seed hexane extract (61.85 %) and in the peel/pulp hexane extract (52.61 %), and betulin in the peel/pulp hexane extract (5.25 %). The substances and biological activities identified in B. sericea characterize this fruit as a functional food for future studies.

Analysis, residue behaviour and risk assessment of combination product of iprovalicarb + copper oxychloride in representative fruiting vegetables, cucurbit and in soil using LC-MS/MS and ICP-MS.

Combination product of two herbicides, i.e. iprovalicarb and copper oxychloride, is a new formulation. There is paucity of data on the dissipation pattern and risk assessment of this combination product in crops. To understand the dissipation behaviour/kinetics of this product, a supervised field trial was undertaken on cucumber and tomato. Method validation for a QuEChERS-based method for analysis of these pesticides from cucumber and tomato matrices reveals that all the parameters were within the acceptance range in accordance with SANTE. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for iprovalicarb in cucumber and tomato fruits, and in soil matrices when analysed on LC-MS/MS was established at 0.01 mg kg-1. Similarly, the LOQ for copper oxychloride (as copper) on ICP-MS was established at 0.5 mg kg-1 in cucumber and tomato fruits and 5.0 mg kg-1 in soil. Dissipation of iprovalicarb was slower in tomato fruits as compared to cucumber fruits. The initial accumulation of the residues of iprovalicarb was 0.073 and 0.243 mg kg-1 in cucumber and 0.214 and 0.432 mg kg-1 in tomato fruits at standard and double dose, respectively. Similarly, copper oxychloride residues were 3.51 and 6.45 mg kg-1 in cucumber and 1.26 and 2.56 mg kg-1 in tomato fruits at standard and double dose, respectively. The residues were below LOQ in cucumber fruits, tomato fruits and soil at the time of harvest. The residues of copper oxychloride persisted till harvest time in cucumber fruits and in soil. A preharvest interval (PHI) of 3 day is recommended on safer side for the combination product of iprovalicarb + copper oxychloride. Theoretical maximum daily intake (TMDI) is less than maximum permissible intake (MPI) for iprovalicarb and copper oxychloride at both the doses from 0 day and onward. The results from the present study can be of immense importance for establishing label claims, maximum residue limits (MRLs) and risk assessment by national and international regulatory agencies.

Total aflatoxin and ochratoxin A levels, dietary exposure and cancer risk assessment in dried fruits in Türkiye.

This study aimed to measure total aflatoxin (AF) (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) levels in dried fruit samples and to evaluate the potential dietary exposure and cancer risk to these mycotoxins in Kayseri/Türkiye. Dried fruit samples were collected between April-May 2021. A total of 11 dried grapes and apricot samples, 7 dried fig and plum samples were collected. Total aflatoxins and OTA in dried fruits were determined by ELISA method. Then, the margin of exposure (MOE) and cancer risk were calculated. Total AF was detected in dried fruit samples between 42.86%, and 100%. Between 18.18% and 57.14% of samples exceeded the European Commission (EC) limits for total AF. Moreover, OTA was detected in all samples. Between 71.43% and 100% of samples exceeded the EC limits for OTA. Cancer risk due to OTA exposure was higher than total AF and it was determined that OTA exposure could pose a risk for public health (MOE < 10,000). Although mycotoxin exposure seems to be low due to the low consumption of dried fruit in Türkiye, the risk of exposure and cancer may increase because of complying with the recommendations of the dietary guidelines. The findings provide new insights into exposure to total AF and OTA through the consumption of dried fruit.

Stereoselective study on chiral fungicide metconazole in four kinds of fruits: Absolute configuration, SFC-MS/MS enantioseparation, degradation and risk assessment.

Metconazole is a novel chiral fungicide with two chiral carbon atoms, but the research on its stereoselective behavior is limited. Therefore, the stereoselective behaviors of metconazole in four fruits, including grape, peach, pear and jujube, were summarized in this study. After determining the absolute configuration of metconazole stereoisomers, a chiral separation method through supercritical fluid chromatography/tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was first developed, which combined an improved QuEChERS method obtained the recoveries of 71.6-113 % with RSD ≤ 19.8 %. The LOD and LOQ were 4.30-95.9 and 10.5-143.2 ng/kg, respectively. Different stereoselective and diastereoselective behaviors were observed in four fruits. Dietary risk assessments of rac-metconazole were performed in populations with different ages and genders. Both acute (RQa, 0.0124-0.140 %) and chronic (HQ, 0.0234-0.0794 %) intake risks were acceptable. The results of this study would contribute to more complete risk assessments of metconazole and provide data for chiral studies.

Degradation dynamics, residues, processing factors, and dietary risk assessment of bisultap in citrus by LC-MS/MS.

BACKGROUND: Citrus leaf miners are a common pest harming citrus production and quality during citrus planting. During the citrus plant's growth phase, bisultap formulation was frequently used to boost yield and produce fruit of high quality. However, research on citrus's dietary risk assessment for bisultap residues, dissipation and residues is lacking. RESULTS: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to develop an accurate and sensitive analytical method for derivatizing bisultap into nereistoxin in whole fruit, pulp and peel. At various levels of addition, the mean recovery of bisultap ranged from 84.64% to 111.09% with a reasonable relative RSD (< 20%). The half-lives in Guangxi and Guizhou were 3.96 and 6.03 days, respectively. After 14-21 days of bisultap application, total residues (bisultap and its metabolite nereistoxin) in the whole fruit were from < 0.02 to 0.228 mg kg-1 in the four experiment sites. Total residue (bisultap and nereistoxin, expressed by bisultap) in whole fruit was approximately 1.05-7.23 times that of pulp. The washing process with tap water removed 85.71% to 98.78% of the bisultap residue in the whole fruit. Bisultap's risk assessment value in citrus was in the range 0.16-1.28%. CONCLUSION: In the whole citrus fruit, bisultap degrades rapidly. Bisultap residues primarily accumulate on citrus peels, and so washing and peeling citrus may effectively remove bisultap residues. For various age groups, the chronic dietary risk of bisultap was acceptable. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

HRMS analysis of pesticides in vegetables from Shanghai and risk assessment.

A rapid analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 550 pesticide residues in vegetable samples was developed based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem Q/Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/Orbitrap-HRMS). To investigate the risk of exposure to pesticide residues through vegetable consumption, 704 leafy vegetable samples from Shanghai were analysed for multiple residues using this method. A total of 54 pesticide residues were identified in these vegetable samples and 302 samples contained one or more pesticide residue. The levels of the detected pesticides did not pose a health risk in the long term and were acceptable according to the results of the chronic dietary risk assessment. Risk rankings displayed that most of the pesticides were low to medium risk. The findings of this study provide a reference for future pesticide monitoring programmes.

Residue behaviour and health risk assessment of chlorpyrifos and mancozeb in apple fruits and soil.

Mancozeb residue estimation was done using second derivative ultraviolet spectroscopy by Shimadzu ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, and chlorpyrifos was estimated by QuEChERS technique using GC-FPD. The persistence for chlorpyrifos was carried out at two locations, and for mancozeb, persistence studies were carried out at four locations. Initial deposits of mancozeb on apple fruits ranged from 1.33 to 1.63 mg/kg at the recommended dose and from 2.55 to 3.26 mg/kg at double the recommended dose at all four locations. Chlorpyrifos residues in apple fruits had an initial deposit of 0.94-0.99 mg/kg at recommended dose and 1.75-1.92 mg/kg at double the recommended dose. Mancozeb residues in apple fruit were below the detection limit (BDL) after 20 days at recommended dose and after 25 days at double the recommended dose at two locations, while mancozeb residue at the other two locations and the residues of chlorpyrifos at all locations reached BDL after 15 and 20 days at recommended and double the recommended doses, respectively. Half-life of mancozeb varied from 3.07 to 4.02 days at recommended dose and from 3.30 to 4.32 days at double the recommended dose, whereas chlorpyrifos residues dissipated to half their initial concentration on 2.33-2.35 days at recommended dose and 2.89-2.90 days at double the recommended dose. The soil samples showed no presence of residues of chlorpyrifos and mancozeb at harvest. The risk assessment revealed that hazard quotient for the intake of mancozeb was in the range of 0.06-0.13% and 0.20-0.44% for rural and urban population, while for the intake of chlorpyrifos, hazard quotient was in the range of 0.10-0.12% for rural population and 0.33-0.38% for urban population, and theoretical maximum dietary intake (9.67 × 10-5 mg/person and 3.18 × 10-4 mg/person for rural population and urban population in case of mancozeb and 3.22 × 10-5 mg/person and 1.06 × 10-4 mg/person for rural population and urban population in case of chlorpyrifos) was also found to be less than maximum permissible intake (1.38 mg/kg for mancozeb and 0.60 mg/kg for chlorpyrifos). The results of risk assessment thereby indicated that apple consumption does not pose a risk to human health.

Low-cost electronic-nose (LC-e-nose) systems for the evaluation of plantation and fruit crops: recent advances and future trends.

An electronic nose (e-nose) is a device designed to recognize and classify odors. The equipment is built around a series of sensors that detect the presence of odors, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and generate an electric signal (voltage), known as e-nose data, which contains chemical information. In the food business, the use of e-noses for analyses and quality control of fruits and plantation crops has increased in recent years. Their use is particularly relevant due to the lack of non-invasive and inexpensive methods to detect VOCs in crops. However, the majority of reports in the literature involve commercial e-noses, with only a few studies addressing low-cost e-nose (LC-e-nose) devices or providing a data-oriented description to assist researchers in choosing their setup and appropriate statistical methods to analyze crop data. Therefore, the objective of this study is to discuss the hardware of the two most common e-nose sensors: electrochemical (EC) sensors and metal oxide sensors (MOSs), as well as a critical review of the literature reporting MOS-based low-cost e-nose devices used for investigating plantations and fruit crops, including the main features of such devices. Miniaturization of equipment from lab-scale to portable and convenient gear, allowing producers to take it into the field, as shown in many appraised systems, is one of the future advancements in this area. By utilizing the low-cost designs provided in this review, researchers can develop their own devices based on practical demands such as quality control and compare results with those reported in the literature. Overall, this review thoroughly discusses the applications of low-cost e-noses based on MOSs for fruits, tea, and coffee, as well as the key features of their equipment (i.e., advantages and disadvantages) based on their technical parameters (i.e., electronic and physical parts). As a final remark, LC-e-nose technology deserves significant attention as it has the potential to be a valuable quality control tool for emerging countries.

Safety Evaluation of Chlorantraniliprole in Lychee Based on Residue and Dietary Risk Assessment.

This report presents the development of a highly effective method employing high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to investigate chlorantraniliprole's dissipation, risk assessment, and residue distribution in whole lychee fruit and its pulp. Mean recoveries of the samples ranged from 80 to 105%, exhibiting a relative standard deviation (RSD) of below 8%. The limits of quantification (LOQ) for lychee and pulp were determined as 0.001 mg/kg, and half-lives (t1/2) ranged from 8.0 to 12.2 days. Terminal residue concentrations in whole litchi and pulp were determined as 0.008-0.45 mg/kg and ≤0.001 mg/kg. These residues were treated twice and thrice at two different dosage levels with pre-harvest intervals (PHIs) of 7, 14, and 21 days. The potential chronic risk posed by chlorantraniliprole to humans was non-negligible, as indicated by the risk quotient (RQ) value not exceeding 1. Therefore, this study provides significant fresh data about the safe application of chlorantraniliprole in the production of lychee, which will help China develop maximum residual limits (MRLs).

Nutritionally enriched tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown with wood distillate: chemical and biological characterization for quality assessment.

Bio-based products are nowadays useful tools able to affect the productivity and quality of conventionally cultivated crops. Several bio-based products are currently on the market; one of the newest and most promising is the wood distillate (WD) derived from the pyrolysis process of waste biomass after timber. Its foliar application has been widely investigated and shown to promote the antioxidant profile of cultivated crops. WD was used here as additive for the cultivation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) plants. The application improved quality (chemical) parameters, minerals, polyphenols, and lycopene contents of tomato fruits. The extracts of WD-treated and untreated tomatoes have been chemically and biologically characterized. The 1 H-NMR and ESI-mass spectrometry analyses of the extracts revealed the presence of different fatty acids, amino acids and sugars. In particular, the WD-treated tomatoes showed the presence of pyroglutamic acid and phloridzin derivatives, but also dihydrokaempferol, naringenin glucoside, cinnamic acid, and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside. When tested in cells, the extracts showed a promising anti-inflammatory profile in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the extracts displayed a slight vasorelaxant activity on rat aorta rings (either endothelium-denuded or endothelium-intact) pre-contracted with phenylephrine or potassium chloride. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Wood distillate has been used for tomato plant growth. Tomatoes showed improved nutritional parameters, and their extracts displayed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Pesticide residues in agricultural end-products and risk assessment for consumers in North China.

This study investigated pesticide residues in market-sold vegetables and fruits in Hebei Province, China, over 5 years (2018-2022). A modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method was applied to gas chromatography with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-MS/MS). The analytical methods were validated with respect to matrix effect (ME), recovery rate (78.9~105.5%), limit of quantitation (LOQ, 2.93~9.73 µg/kg), and linear correlation coefficient (0.9982~0.9997). Residues of 10 pesticides in 12 categories of vegetable and fruit were detected. 31.9% of the samples were detected pesticide residues; 15.5% of samples were detected multi-component pesticide residues. Twenty-seven positive detections of pesticide residues exceeded the corresponding maximum residue limit (MRL), accounting for 2.33%. The most types of pesticide residues were detected in cherry, with the number of 7. Procymidone was the most detected pesticide, and it was detected in 8 categories of samples. The hazard index (HI) of omethoate was the highest and the procymidone was the lowest. The HI of all the vegetables and fruits were less than 100%. The effects of pesticide residues are within an acceptable range for human. Adequate attention and further monitoring are still needed.

Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in dried fruits from Morocco: Monitoring, regulatory aspects, and exposure assessment.

The present study aims to investigate the presence of Aflatoxins (AF) in 180 samples dried fruits and Ochratoxin A (OTA) in 210 samples dried fruits and grape juices collected in Morocco. Mycotoxins were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to fluorescence detection and immunoaffinity columns (IAC) cleanup. Contamination levels were compared with the maximum regulatory limits (MRL) recently adopted in the country, and mycotoxin exposure of adult consumers was assessed. Results showed that 13.8% of samples were contaminated with AF, with incidences of 23.3, 23.3, 20, 13.8, and 3.3%, in raisins, figs, nuts, peanuts and pistachio, respectively. There were 12 samples (6.6%) that exceeded the MRL of 2-12 ng/g set for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). While OTA was detected in 17.1% of samples, with incidences of 3.3, 3.3, 30, 30, and 53.3% in walnuts, pistachios, peanuts, raisins and figs, respectively, and a maximum value of 99.1 in dried raisins, that exceeded the MRL (10 ng/g) set for OTA. The co-occurrence of OTA and AF was observed in 4.7% of total samples. Dietary intake showed that the OTA exposure level was lower than safety guidelines set by The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) at 100 ng/kg b.w./week.

Occurrence and Exposure Assessment of Major Mycotoxins in Foodstuffs from Algeria.

Cereal-based products, nuts and dried fruits are staple foods for the Algerian population. However, these foodstuffs may be sources of harmful mycotoxins, with negative impacts on human health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrences and levels of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1 and G2), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) in 198 samples of nuts, dried fruits and cereal products commercialized in Algeria, as well as to calculate the estimated daily intakes (EDIs). Aflatoxins were found in 26.2% of the nut samples (in peanuts and almonds, but not in walnuts), 38.7% of the dried fruit samples (in dried figs, dates and bradj pastries) and 47.9% of the cereal-based products (in rechta noodles and metlou bread, but not in couscous), with mean concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 0.49 µg/kg. OTA occurred in 16.9% of the cereal-based samples, averaging 0.15 µg/kg, but it was not detected in nuts or dried fruits. The incidence of DON in the cereal-based products was 85.9% on average, with a mean concentration from 90 to 123 µg/kg. ZEA mycotoxin was not detected in any samples. Four peanut samples exceeded the EU maximum level for aflatoxin B1 set at 2 µg/kg, while three of them surpassed the maximum level for the sum of aflatoxins (4 µg/kg). Traditional foods such as bradj, rechta and metlou were significant sources of aflatoxins, with MOE (margin of exposure) values ranging from 648 to 9333, indicating a potential risk for the Algerian population.

Residue behaviors, degradation, processing factors, and risk assessment of pesticides in citrus from field to product processing.

Pesticide residues in citrus may cause health risks in related juice products, and bring much uncertainty during the processing procedures. In this study, based on the dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) and UPLC-MS/MS, the residual levels of ten analytes in citrus and its processed products were monitored. The results showed that dissipation of the pesticides followed the first-order kinetics and the half-lives in citrus varied greatly, ranging from 6.36 to 63.0 days. The terminal residues of the five pesticides at harvest time were <0.01-0.302 and <0.01-0.124 mg/kg in raw citrus and citrus flesh, respectively, all of which were lower than the corresponding maximum residue limits (MRLs) of 0.5-1 mg/kg. In the processing experiments, the residues of ten analytes in sterilized juice, concentrated juice, and citrus essential oil were in the range of <0.01 to 0.442 mg/kg, <0.01 to 1.16 mg/kg, and <0.01 to 44.0 mg/kg, respectively, and the corresponding processing factors (PFs) were 0.127-1.00, 0.023-3.06, and 0.006-39.2. Particularly, in citrus essential oil, the PFs of etoxazole, fluazinam, lufenuron and spirotetramat-keto-hydroxy were 1.68-39.2, exhibiting obvious enrichment effects. By integrating the residue data of the field trials and the PFs, the acute and chronic dietary risks of the target pesticides in citrus juice were 0.031-1.83 % and 0.002-2.51 %, respectively, which were far lower than 100 %, demonstrating no unacceptable risk to human health. This work provides basic data for the establishment of the MRLs and dietary exposure risk assessment for processed citrus products.

Dietary exposure risk assessment of pyrethroids in fruits and vegetables: a national scale investigation.

The pyrethroids (PYRs) were extensively used to increase agriculture outputs. However, the cumulative exposures of PYRs would bring about potential risks through food intake. It is an urgent requirement to explore the cumulative exposures on the fruits and vegetables. In this study, a total of 1720 samples incorporating eight primary fruits and vegetables collected around China were investigated to assess the health risk for adults and children from eight PYRs. The relative potency factor (RPF) method was employed to reveal both chronic and acute cumulative exposure. As a result, the hazard index (HI) were 0.004 ~ 0.200% and 11.85 ~ 99.19% for chronic and acute cumulative dietary exposure, respectively. The national wide investigation indicated the cumulative assessments were not hazardous. Besides, the acute intake of pear, grape, and lettuce should be paid on more attention, particularly. This study provides compelling evidence to develop relative policy and regulation to improve the food quality and safety.

Analysis on the shadow price of carbon emissions from China's forestry fruit industry-taking peaches as an example.

The shadow price of carbon emissions can measure the marginal output effect under the carbon emission regulation and is also one of the key indicators to construct a low-carbon development path for production units. Currently, international research on shadow price is focused on the industrial and energy sectors. However, in the context of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets in China, the use of shadow price to study the cost of reducing emissions from agricultural production, especially forestry fruit industries, is significant. In this paper, we use a parametric approach to construct the quadratic ambient directional distance function. Using the input-output data of peach, we then calculate the environmental technical efficiency and shadow price of carbon emissions from peach production in Guangxi, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Sichuan provinces, and further estimate the values of green output in each province. The results show that (i) the environmental technology efficiency of peach production in Jiangsu province, located in the coastal plain area of eastern China, is the highest among the four provinces, while that in Guangxi province, located in the hilly area of southeast China, is the lowest. (ii) Guangxi province has the smallest carbon shadow price of peach production among the four provinces, while Sichuan province, located in the mountainous area of southwest China, has the largest. (iii) The green output value of the peach production in Jiangsu province is the highest among the four provinces, and that in Guangxi province is the lowest. In order to effectively reduce carbon emissions in peach production without affecting economic benefits, the paper puts forward the following suggestions: for peach-producing areas in the southeast hills of China, it is necessary to increase the application of green environmental technology while reducing the input of production factors in peach production. For peach-producing areas in the northern plains of China, the input of production factors should be reduced. It is not easy for peach-producing areas in the southwest mountains of China to reduce the input of production factors while increasing the application of green technologies. Finally, for peach-producing areas in China's eastern coastal plain, the implementation of environmental regulations for peach production should be gradual.