Occurrence of Organophosphate and Synthetic Pyrethroid Pesticide Residues in Animal Feed-An Assessment

Presence of pesticide residues are often reported in different feed resources. These residues may ultimately contaminate the food chain and accumulate in human body. The present study was conducted to find the extent and level of contamination in commonly used feed of different places with residues of few organophosphrus (OP) and synthetic pyrethroid (SP) pesticides and assessment of the risks associated with it. A total of 253 samples of diverse type of feed materials like oilseed cakes, straws, powdered hull of cereals and legumes, compound feed were collected from different places. Samples were processed, extracted with organic solvents, cleaned-up with chromatographic techniques and analysed in gas chromatograph. The analysis revealed that OP residues were present in 32.8% samples while SPs were detected in 19.76% samples. As maximum residue limit or tolerance limit of these pesticides in feed were not available under Indian regulation, so the concentrations of pesticides in different feeds could not be compared for risk assessment.