Determination of Captan, Methidathion and Parathion-methyl Medicine Residue Levels in Apples Kept in Cold Storage Depots in Karaman Province

In this study, the residue levels of three pesticides—captan, methidathion, and parathion-methyl—used in agricultural spraying were examined in apple samples harvested during the 2014 season and stored in cold storage depots in Karaman province. Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionisation Detector (GC-FID) methods, samples collected from six different depots across five time zones were analyzed. The samples were preserved at +4 °C in a laboratory setting. The study identified residue levels of diazinon and carbofuran in the apples. Utilizing the QuEChERS method, known for its speed, ease, cost-effectiveness, and reliability, pesticide residues were extracted using acetonitrile and analyzed via GC-MS. Results revealed that methidathion and parathion-methyl, both banned in Turkey, were present in the majority of samples. According to the Turkish Food Codex (TGK), the maximum residue limit for captan is 3 mg/kg; all detectable samples exceeded these limits.