Abstract

This study investigated the levels of pesticide residues in beans (Vigna unguiculata) in Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State. Three samples of beans were randomly collected from Wukari township market (Yam, New and Old markets) and milled into powder form for pesticide residues concentrations analysis. The pesticide residue analysis was carried out using GC/PFPD after sample extraction, filtration and concentration. Thirty-four pesticide residues were detected at different concentrations and retention time, and were very significant across the different markets except for simazine. It was observed that Cypermethrin (0.0120309 mg/kg, 0.0142578 mg/kg and 0.0163723 mg/kg) and Simazine (of 0.0000034 mg/kg, 0.0000030 mg/kg and 0.0000043 mg/kg) have the highest and lowest concentrations respectively for all the three locations (Yam, New and Old markets). It was also observed that Cypemethrine and Aldrin had pooled mean pesticide residues concentration of 0.0142 mg/kg and 0.0003 mg/kg which are higher than their acceptable permissive limits of 0.0020 and 0.0001mg/kg respectively. All the detected pesticide residues belong to four major classes (Organochlorines, Organophosphates, Pyrethroids and Carbamates). This indicates the usage of out-of-date, illegal pesticides during bean growing and storage which suggest a specific range of non-carcinogenic risk connected to lifetime intake of beans marketed in this area.