EVALUATION OF SYNTHETIC PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS RESIDUES IN FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT IN GIZA, EGYPT

Plant growth regulators for vegetables and fruits have gained attention worldwide in recent years due to their widespread applications in agriculture and serious risks to the health and safety of consumers. The purpose of this paper was to assess the concentration of synthetic plant growth regulators residues (PGRs) in fruits and vegetables and to estimate the potential health risks associated with the PGRs regard to consumers to take preventive actions to minimize human health risks. Gas chromatography with mass spectrum detector was developed for the determination of four PGRs, including gibberellins, α- naphthalene acetic acid, 2, 4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and ethephon in locally produced fruits and vegetables were purchased from seven main markets in Giza Government, Egypt, during year 2014. Based on analytical studies PGRs residues were not observed in 34.4% samples of fruits and 39.3% samples of vegetables. The results obtained showed that PGRs residues were detected in 65.6% of fruit and 60.7% of vegetables. Fruits and vegetable contained samples with PGRs residues above safety limits were in the following order: Gib (71%) > 2,4-D (69%) > NAA (63%) > Eth (53%) for fruits while 2,4-D (74%) > NAA (66%) > Eth (45%) > Gib (42%) for vegetables. Data of acute hazard index revealed that Gib had the hazard effect in fig, plum, and tomato. In case NAA, hazard effect was observed in tomato only. Concerning the 2,4-D, hazard effect was showed in grape, apricot, and tomato. About the Eth, hazard effect was showed in all commodities except carrot, cabbage, and lettuce. The chronic hazard index of all the considered PGRs residues are high and rather > 1%.