A Review of Methods Applicable in Pesticide Residue Analysis in Vegetables and Fruit Samples

Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables pose significant health risks to consumers, particularly in regions with limited regulatory oversight. Pesticide residues have been found in most vegetables and varieties of fruit produces, for instance in okra, green chilies, gooseberries, kales, curry leaves, mint leaves, French beans, coriander leaves and tomatoes. The major exposure pathway to pesticide residues by humans is through dietary intake of food crops contaminated with substantial residue concentrations. When pesticides are applied to agricultural farms, their residues spread into the entire environment, that is, the atmosphere, soil and the surface water. Introduction of variety of pesticides into agricultural sector has resulted to rising levels of pesticide residues in foodstuffs and undesired health effects. High dependency on pesticides in farming has raised the costs of food production. Development of new strategies, for instance, introduction of crop varieties resistant to disease and pest attack could reduce massive applications of agrochemicals in the field of agriculture. Biological methods of controlling crop pests and diseases in agriculture is currently encouraged though limited to the production of small amounts of food. Some agrochemical compounds applied, have longer environmental persistence hence banned from agricultural use. Build-up of persistent pesticide residues has resulted to environmental pollution and contamination of food. Collaborative efforts are therefore needed so that control of residue build-up of the synthetic pesticides in food crops is achieved. This review evaluates various analytical methods, with a particular focus on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), for the detection and quantification of pesticide residues in food matrices. The paper also discusses method validation parameters essential for reliable analysis, presents comparative insights with findings from international and national studies, and highlights potential health risks associated with pesticide exposure. Statistical methods that have been applied where appropriate to demonstrate data variability and significance. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for policy interventions, routine monitoring, and regulatory reforms to safeguard public health.