Identification of pesticides residues in different samples of milk

Different pesticides have been used in tropical countries to control agricultural pests. Problem of the presence of pesticides in milk contributes to the serious issue of human health. The identification and quantification of organophosphorous (chlorpyrifos), pyrethroid (bifenthrin, deltamethrin and lambda cyhalothrin), insecticide (imidacloprid) and carbamate (carbofuran) pesticides in cow, buffalo, goat, and camel and sheep milk collected from different localities of Lahore, Pakistan was performed. Milk was monitored by using HPTLC technique for six pesticides residues to determine the degree of contamination. Extraction was performed with ethanol, petroleum ether and sodium oxalate. Extracted milk samples run with pesticides standards. The analysis showed that most of the milk samples were contaminated by the pesticides. Identification of pesticides was done through UV light examination at 254nm and with the standards. Confirmation of pesticides was done through GC-MS. Results showed that 50 % of the milk samples were contaminated with pesticides residues. Deltamethrin was most significantly present in milk samples. Sheep milk samples were mostly contaminated with the pesticides residues. The intake of the pesticide contaminated milk might pose health hazardous to humans in this locality.