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Maize consists of a cereal widely used in the preparation of different food products. Brazil is one of the world's largest maize producers. Several types of pesticides have been applied in maize crop, which can lead to the contamination of the derived products. The present work aims at the validation of multiresidue method to analyze the matrix effect and level of pesticides in maize flour. Twenty residues were investigated in samples commercialized in the state of Ceará, Brazil. The method was satisfactorily validated, according to parameters recommended by European Union. About 55% of the pesticides had an intense negative matrix effect. Multiresidue analyzes showed the presence of traces of fenitrotion in 20% of maize flour samples. Detected levels were below maximum residue limits recommended for maize. The results indicate that maize products need continuous monitoring to ensure food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The irrigated area of Jaguaribe, Ceara, Brazil is considered important region of agribusiness of the country due to the installation of various fruit exporting companies. The present work has as main objective investigate twelve types of pesticides (molinate, atrazine, methyl parathion, malathion, chlorpyrifos, fenitrothion, pendimenthalin, triazophos, bentazone, azoxystrobin, propiconazole, difenoconazole) used in the region to assess the level of contamination of waters used for potable and irrigation. Analysis of pesticides were performed using chromatographic techniques (SPME-GC/MS and SPE-HPLC/DAD) through methodologies validated according to parameters recommended by ABNT. Among the 60 water samples, 48 were positive for at least one of the twelve active ingredients studied. Fungicides propiconazole and difenoconazole were detected more frequently. The total pesticide levels ranging from 0.11-17.30 μg/L were detected in the samples. The levels detected in surface and groundwater were lower than the limits established in Brazil, but 80% of the samples analyzed were above total pesticide levels established by the European Community (>0.5 μg/L). Prolonged exposure to pesticides can cause adverse effects to human health and the aquatic ecosystem [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]