Pesticide Residues in Dendrobium officinale: Detection, Dietary Risk Assessment, and Safety Prioritization

To address concerns about pesticide residues in Dendrobium officinale and to protect public health and environmental safety, this study analyzed 32 target analytes (30 pesticides and 2 metabolites) in 78 samples (fresh stems, dried stems, flowers) of D. officinale . Chronic and acute dietary risk assessment models were established to quantify dietary exposure and evaluate potential consumer health risks. Detection results indicated distinct contamination patterns, with pesticide prevalence and complexity being significantly higher in processed products (dried stems and flowers) than in fresh stems. Fungicides such as azoxystrobin, dimethomorph, difenoconazole, and tebuconazole were identified as the most frequently detected high-residue compounds. Chronic dietary risk assessment (RQc) indicated extremely low chronic risks across all samples (RQc ≤ 1.8%). Acute dietary risk assessment (RQa) showed that overall risks were within acceptable limits; however, relatively higher acute risks were observed for carbofuran (28.3%), chlorpyrifos (20.2%), and pyraclostrobin (15.1%) in certain samples. Risk ranking identified imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, and avermectin as the highest-priority pesticides. Overall, the tested D. officinale samples pose minimal health risk. However, strengthening pesticide management and targeted monitoring of high-risk pesticides is recommended to further ensure safety. • Comprehensive analysis of 32 compounds (30 pesticides and 2 metabolites) in Dendrobium officinale. • Highest acute risks were found for carbofuran in dried stems (28.3%) and chlorpyrifos in flowers (20.2%). • Detection of 15 unregistered pesticides highlights non-compliant agricultural practices. • Imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, and avermectin were prioritized as high-risk pesticides requiring control.