PESTICIDE RESIDUE ANALYSIS IN MARKETED GREEN CHILI’S: A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH ORGANICALLY GROWN GREEN CHILIES

Abstract

The presence of pesticide residues in vegetables raises significant public health concerns, especially with rising demand for food safety. This study focuses on analysing pesticide residues in marketed green chilies, with a comparison to organically grown varieties purchased from various e-commerce platforms. We employed the QuEChERS extraction method to isolate pesticide residues, ensuring a reliable and efficient sample preparation process. For precise detection and quantification, we used advanced Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) techniques, which allowed for a comprehensive analysis of both polar and nonpolar pesticide residues. Our findings reveal a notable presence of pesticide residues in the conventionally grown green chilies available in local markets. Surprisingly, some pesticide residues were also detected in samples marketed as organically grown chilies, raising concerns about the authenticity and purity of organic labelling standards. The data suggest potential contamination or inadequate control measures in the organic supply chain, especially when products are sourced from e-commerce platforms. This comparative analysis underscores the need for stringent regulatory standards and improved monitoring mechanisms for both conventional and organic produce. Our study contributes valuable insights to consumers, regulatory bodies, and policymakers, highlighting the importance of transparent food safety practices in reducing potential pesticide exposure from both conventional and organically marketed green chilies.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788198800473.2025.418-431