A study of pesticide residues in bovine fat from Kenya

Abstract

Organochlorine and organophosphorus residues were analysed in bovine fat samples from Kenya using gas liquid chromatography. The main organochlorine residues found in the samples included: DDT and its metabolities, lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide. The mean and individual residue levels for each pesticide were below 0.23 mg/kg. The DDT group was the most common organochlorine residue and the mean residue level was 0.09 mg/kg. No residues of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in the animal product. The two organophosphorus residues found in fat were dioxathion and parathion. Dioxathion was the most prevalent residue with a mean residue level of 0.48 mg/kg. There was a wide variation in pesticide residue levels in fat with the recommended FAO/WHO residue limits showed that the risk to the consumer was low