Background and aim: Excessive usage of pesticides in agricultural products is considered as risk factors for human health and environmental pollution. This study was designed to determine the residues of Oxydimeton methyl in cucumbers and tomatoes in greenhouses of Chaharmahal va Bachtiari province (Iran).
Methods: In this descriptive -analytical study 60 cucumbers and tomatoes were randomly selected to evaluate their residual toxin. Samples were washed and then cut to pieces and were extracted with ethyl acetate, n- Hexane. The solvent was evaporated and the toxin was measured by HPLC. Data were then analyzed using Wilcoxon signed ranks and Friedman tests.
Results: In addition, the average residues values in samples of non-washed, washed and peeled cucumber, were 0.23±0.17, 0.15±0.6 and 0.08±0.5 (mg/kg), respectively (P<0.001). The average residues values in samples of non-washed and washed tomato were 1.61±0.8 and 0.67±0.04 (mg/kg), respectively (P<0.001). The results showed that 100 percent of cucumber and tomato samples had poison residues of Oxydimeton methyl which was higher than standard level.
Conclusion: Oxydimeton methyl residues in the cucumber and tomato samples exceeded the recommended standard of FAO / Codex and WHO. Therefore, consumers are recommended to eel and wash the cucumber and tomato to reduce the amount of toxin residues.