Simultaneous screening of 211 pesticide residues in date fruits in Iran and health risk assessments based on Mont Carlo simulation

In this study, 211 pesticides were analyzed simultaneously using a QuEChERS method coupled with GC-MS-MS and LC-MS-MS in 90 fresh date fruit samples produced in Kerman Province. Probabilistic estimates of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks were evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation-based hazard Quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI) and carcinogenic risk (CR). The linearity of 0.015-0.30 mg kg^-1 with the coefficient of determination (R²) values exceeding 0.9989 were achieved. The percentage of recoveries, limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantification (LOQs), Relative standard deviation (RSD %) and matrix effect (ME) were determined in the range of 77-119%, 0.001-0.003 mg kg^-1 and 0.005-0.01 mg kg^-1, ≤ 15% and - 7.5 to 14.2%, respectively. Among 90 analyzed date fruits, 9 samples (10%) contained at least one pesticide residue, whereas 5 samples (5.5%) showed pesticide residues exceeding maximum residual limit (MRL) according to the national and European Commission. The obtained HQ values for the target pesticides were as cypermethrin > imazalil > permethrind > endosulfan > Fenpropathrin. The HI values for adult and child consumers with all pesticide residues were lower than 1. The CR was less than 1.0E-6 value. Thus, there was no carcinogenic risk to the consumers of date fruits.