Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) residue levels in marketed Silver Fish (Rastreneobola argentea) caught from major water bodies in Uganda

Abstract

Silver fish (Rastreneobola argentea) samples from Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga were analyzed for dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and metabolites using a Gas Chromatograph equipped with an Electron Capture Detector. Confirmation of results was by Gas Chromatography equipped with Mass Spectrophotometer (GC-MS). DDT and metabolites were detected in 90% of the total samples (63 out of 70). pp’ DDT was the most frequently detected residues in the samples whereas op’ DDE was detected in none of the samples. The mean ΣDDT concentrations in fish from Lake Victoria varied from 0.147 to 0.396 µg/kg while that in Lake Kyoga varied from 0.207 to 0.506 µg/kg dry wt of fish sample. The concentration of total DDT in the fish samples ranged from 0.147 to 0.506 µg/kg dry wt. This was far below the recommended FAO limit of 5000 µg/kg for fish (edible portion), implying that the fish are safe for human consumption.    Key words: Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and metabolites, Rastreneobola argentea, Uganda water bodies.