Pesticide Residues In Locally Produced Grape Wine In Tanzania: A Case Study Of Dodoma Urban And Bahi Districts

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of pesticide residues in locally produced

grape wine in Tanzania. Fifty samples of grape wine from different locations in Dodoma

urban and Bahi district were analysed to determine the presence of 49 pesticides using the

quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) multi-residue extraction,

followed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Twenty-two

pesticides were detected among the 49 pesticides analysed. The selected 49 pesticides

were based on their use in grape cultivation reported by grape farmers in the study

location which include fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. The pesticides whose

concentrations exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRL) were: pyroquilon 76%,

ethofumasate 66%, chloroneb 92%, azobenzene 28% and cycloate 2% of the wine

samples.

Of the samples analysed 18% contained one pesticide, 16% contained two different

pesticides, 46% contained three different pesticides, 16% contained four different

pesticides, among those that exceeded MRL (pyroquilon, ethofumesate, chloroneb,

azobenzene and cycloate).

The results indicated the occurrence of pesticide residues in grape wine produced in

Dodoma urban and Bahi districts, Tanzania. Most of the samples contained pesticide

residues that exceeded MRL set by European standards for grape wine indicating that

grape wine was not safe for human consumption and could lead to negative health effects

to consumers.

In addition, study aimed at assessing awareness on ill-health effects of pesticide residues

and best practices among grape wine stakeholders in Dodoma Urban and Bahi districts.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out between December 2019 and January

2020 in Dodoma Urban and Bahi districts, involving 40 farmers, 15 grape wine

processors and 4 agricultural officers through interviews. Data were collected using

semi-structured questionnaires and analysed using IBM SPSS ® version 25 (2017).

Descriptive statistics were used to determine frequencies and percentages of social

demographic, awareness and handling practices of pesticides. The results indicated that,

grape farming was mostly practiced by people with low education level. It was also

observed that pesticides handling practices were poor. Poor handling practices of

pesticides were identified on poor disposal of empty containers, use of personal protective

equipment whereby few respondents worn it and they usually worn one item of those PPE

recommended and low knowledge about pesticides safety labels. Although respondents

were aware that pesticides had negative health effects on human and environment, still

their handling practices were unsatisfactory. This could be due to negligence and lack of

education. Also, it was observed that there was no treatment performed by grape wine

producers to reduce the pesticides load before wine processing and no tests were

performed to ascertain the pesticides residues level in their raw materials. Awareness

creation on good practices for pesticides application and food safety strengthening are

recommended to protect public health against pesticides.

Keywords: Pesticide residues; grape wine; food safety, maximum residue levels (MRL),

handling practices, health effect.