ABSTRACT
The study investigated the levels of organochlorine pesticide residues in both cocoa beans
and soils of cocoa plantations in selected farms in Ondo State. Soil samples and cocoa pods
were collected from four major farms in the State. The pesticide residues were extracted,
cleaned up and analysed using Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD).
In the analysed cocoa samples, the ranges of the mean concentrations of the organochlorine
pesticides were: α-HCH (ND-0.094 mg/kg), β-HCH (ND-0.371 mg/kg), γ-HCH (ND-0.032
mg/kg), δ-HCH (ND-0.032 mg/kg), heptachlor (ND-0.272 mg/kg), heptachlor-epoxide
(0.040-0.185 mg/kg), aldrin (ND-0.117 mg/kg), dieldrin (0.052-1.110 mg/kg), endrin (0.297-
1.516 mg/kg), endosulfan I (1.719-10.689 mg/kg), endosulfan II (0.028-0.570 mg/kg),
endosulfan sulphate (ND-3.865 mg/kg), p,p’ DDT (ND-0.100 mg/kg), cis-permethrin (0.078-
0.662 mg/kg), trans-permethrin (0.085-0.927 mg/kg). However, the levels of aldrin, dieldrin,
endrin and endosulfan in the cocoa samples analysed were found to be high and above
Maximum Residual Limits (MRLs) established by WHO/FAO (HCH isomers, heptachlor,
heptachlor-epoxide, aldrin, endrin and dieldrin (0.020 mg/kg) and endosulfan I, II and
sulphate (0.100 mg/kg)) and European Union (α-HCH, β-HCH and δ-HCH isomers,
heptachlor, heptachlor-epoxide, and dieldrin (0.020 mg/kg), γ-HCH (1.000 mg/kg), p,p’-
DDT, aldrin (0.050 mg/kg) and endosulfan I, II, cis- and trans-permethrin (0.100 mg/kg)) . In
the soil samples analysed, the ranges of the mean concentrations of the organochlorine
pesticides were: α-HCH (ND-0.064 mg/kg), heptachlor-epoxide (0.059-1.384 mg/kg), aldrin
(ND-0.450 mg/kg), dieldrin (0.041-0.066 mg/kg), endrin (0.136-0.567 mg/kg), endosulfan I
(0.319-1.451 mg/kg), endosulfan II (0.033-0.113 mg/kg), endosulfan sulphate (0.764-1.711
mg/kg), cis-permethrin (0.077-0.259 mg/kg), trans-permethrin (0.079-0.151 mg/kg) The
mean concentration of aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan (I and II) in the soil sample
analysed were above the MRLs of the analytes established by Netherlands
aldrin(0.0025mg/kg),dieldrin(0.0005mg/kg),endrin(0.001mg/kg),endosulfanI(0.050mg/kg),en
dosulfanII(0.050mg/kg). p, p’ DDT was below detection limit (10-4 mg/kg) in 50% of the
analysed cocoa and all the soil samples. Similarly, HCH isomers and p,p’ DDT were below
detection limit (10-4 mg/kg) in the soil samples analysed except Oluji-1 where α-HCH was
detected. The results of the bioaccumulation factors showed that endosulfan, dieldrin, endrin
heptachlor, heptachlor-epoxide, cis- and trans-permethrin were bioaccumulated in the cocoa
samples from the selected farms. The high bioaccumulation factors of endosulfan I (7.367 in
Oluji-1, 3.084 in Oluji-2 and 14.525 in idanre), Dieldrin (27.073 in Oluji-2, 7.477 in Owena),
and cis- and trans-permethrin (1.8 and 11.734 in Owena, 8.597 and 8.429 in Idanre
respectively) give cause for concern considering the adverse health hazards pose by high
accumulation of these pesticides on man. This indicated recent use of these pesticides despite
the ban imposed on their use. The results of ANOVA showed that there was no significant
difference between the mean concentrations of the pesticide residues in all the cocoa samples
(p
MURTALA, E (2021). Organochlorine Pesticides Residue In Cocoa Beans (Theobroma Cacao) And Soils Of Cocoa Plantationsin Ondo State, Nigeria.. Afribary. Retrieved from https://tracking.afribary.com/works/organochlorine-pesticides-residue-in-cocoa-beans-theobroma-cacao-and-soils-of-cocoa-plantationsin-ondo-state-nigeria
MURTALA, EJALONIBU "Organochlorine Pesticides Residue In Cocoa Beans (Theobroma Cacao) And Soils Of Cocoa Plantationsin Ondo State, Nigeria." Afribary. Afribary, 14 May. 2021, https://tracking.afribary.com/works/organochlorine-pesticides-residue-in-cocoa-beans-theobroma-cacao-and-soils-of-cocoa-plantationsin-ondo-state-nigeria. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
MURTALA, EJALONIBU . "Organochlorine Pesticides Residue In Cocoa Beans (Theobroma Cacao) And Soils Of Cocoa Plantationsin Ondo State, Nigeria.". Afribary, Afribary, 14 May. 2021. Web. 22 Nov. 2024. < https://tracking.afribary.com/works/organochlorine-pesticides-residue-in-cocoa-beans-theobroma-cacao-and-soils-of-cocoa-plantationsin-ondo-state-nigeria >.
MURTALA, EJALONIBU . "Organochlorine Pesticides Residue In Cocoa Beans (Theobroma Cacao) And Soils Of Cocoa Plantationsin Ondo State, Nigeria." Afribary (2021). Accessed November 22, 2024. https://tracking.afribary.com/works/organochlorine-pesticides-residue-in-cocoa-beans-theobroma-cacao-and-soils-of-cocoa-plantationsin-ondo-state-nigeria