Abstract

Blood samples of sheep and rabbits from five different villages of Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria were collected for determination of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues. Preparation of blood samples was carried out using standard procedure of QuEChERS method of extraction. The concentrations of all the pesticides in blood samples of sheep and rabbits were determined using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Shimadzu (GCMS-QP2010), equipped with electron capture detector. Organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues were significantly higher in the blood samples of sheep than in the blood samples of rabbits. According to the concentration and detection frequency, o,p’DDE, p,p’DDD, aldrin and dieldrin were the most dominant compounds among the organochlorine pesticide residues. The results of this study showed that highest concentration of o,p-DDE in blood samples of sheep was detected at Namtari village with a mean value of 0.034±0.001 mg/l. For o,p’-DDT, the highest concentration (0.014±0.001 mg/l) was observed at Wurojabbe_, p,p’-DDD had the highest concentration at Doubeli with a value of 0.028±0.001 mg/l. Also, the highest concentration of aldrin in the blood samples of sheep was detected at Namtari with a value of 0.028±0.001 mg/l. For dieldrin, the highest concentration was recorded also at Namtari with a mean value of 0.036±0.001 mg/l. Despite the bans and restrictions on the use of some of these pesticides in Nigeria, the observed concentrations of the studied pesticides from these villages could explain either their persistence in the environment or continued use in the study area. Hence, routine monitoring of pesticide residues in these villages is necessary for prevention, control and reduction of environmental pollutions, so as to minimize health risks.

Key words: Animals blood, pesticides, extraction, clean-up, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).