Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the level 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 analyzed 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 analyzed. The selected 49 pesticides was based on its use in grape cultivation which were reported by grape farmers in the study location which includes fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. The pesticides whose concentrations exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRL) were: Pyroquilon, ethofumasate, chlorobeb, azobenzene and cycloate in 38, 33, 46, 14 and 1 wine samples, respectively. Of the samples analyzed 9 (18%) contained one pesticide, 8 (16%) contained two different pesticides, 23 (46%) contained three different pesticides 8 (16%). The results indicated the occurrence of pesticide residues in grape wine produced in Dodoma urban and Bahi districts, Tanzania, and pointed to an urgent need to develop comprehensive intervention measures to reduce potential health risk to consumers.

Key words: Pesticides residues, grape wine, food safety, maximum residue levels (MRL).