Analysis and risk assessment of pesticide residues in peach gum

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the residues and risk assessment of pesticides in peach gum. Methods: The quantitative analysis of 44 pesticide residues in peach gum was established based on liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS）, and the pesticide residues in 173 peach gum samples were detected as well as the risk assessment of pesticide residues. Results: The limits of detection （LOD） and the limits of quantification （LOQ） of 44 kinds of pesticides in this quantitative method were between 0.05~1.80 μg/kg and 0.20~2.42 μg/kg, respectively. Recoveries of these pesticides ranged from 61.77%~119.48%. In 173 peach gum samples, 22 out of 44 pesticides were detected and the total detection rate of pesticides in peach gum was 98.8%. The detection rate of difenoconazole was the highest （95%）, followed by chlorpyrifos （54%）, carbendazim （34%）, furamethoxam （32%） and pyraclostrobin （19%）. The average residue of difenoconazole in different peach gum samples was the highest （0.332 mg/kg）, followed by furamethoxam （0.093 mg/kg）, carbendazim （0.061 mg/kg） and chlorpyrifos （0.033 mg/kg）. Conclusion: Pesticide residues in peach gum were related to the usage of pesticides in peach production and were at a low risk level. It is recommended to pick peach gum from August to October.