Assessment of Organochlorine pesticides in cocoa beans from Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana

  • Boakye, S Radford University College
  • Jonfia- Essien W
  • Voegborlo, B.R Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
  • Boadi N,O Kwame Nkrumah University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.53555/as.v2i11.1381
Keywords: Retention times, Pesticide residues, Solvent extraction, Cocoa beans, Gas chromatograph, External calibration, Quantified, Concentration

Abstract

Research was conducted in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana to determine
organochlorine pesticide residues in cocoa beans. The pesticides were extracted by using solvent
extraction technique followed by clean up with C-18 and Envi – Carb NH2 solid-phase extraction
cartridges. Extracts were dissolved in ethyl acetate and analysis carried out by Gas
Chromatograph equipped with Electron Capture Detector. Retention times were used for
identification of pesticides and quantified using external calibration method. From this study,
55.5 % of cocoa beans sampled from Brong Ahafo region and 66.7 % of cocoa beans sampled
from the Ashanti region had organochlorine pesticide residue concentrations above the EU
permissible levels. Heptachlor had the maximum concentration of residues whilst heptachlor exo
epoxide had the minimum concentration for the two regions. The results obtained reflect the
enormous past use and continual usage of pesticides on cocoa beans in Ghana.

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Author Biographies

Boakye, S, Radford University College

Radford University College, Department of Applied Sciences, P. O.BOX CT 2837 Cantoments
Accra Ghana

Jonfia- Essien W

Quality Control Company Limited (COCOBOD). P.O.BOX M 54 Accra

Voegborlo, B.R, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Private mail bag KNUST Kumasi
Ghana

Boadi N,O, Kwame Nkrumah University

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Private mail bag KNUST Kumasi
Ghana

Published
2016-11-30
How to Cite
S, B., Essien W, J.-, B.R, V., & N,O, B. (2016). Assessment of Organochlorine pesticides in cocoa beans from Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions of Ghana. IJRDO-Journal of Applied Science, 2(11), 07-19. https://doi.org/10.53555/as.v2i11.1381
Issue
Vol. 2 No. 11 (2016): IJRDO - Journal of Applied Science
Section
Articles

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