Investigation of insecticide residues in potato grown in Türkiye by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS and health risk assessment

Insecticide, acaricide, nematicide and metabolite residues were assayed in 104 potato samples collected from local markets in Tokat, Türkiye in 2022 and the potential health risk for consumers assessed. Analytical method verification was performed for 135 pesticide active substances in potato matrices by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Matrix-matched calibration curves were constructed and good linearity was obtained with a coefficient of determination between 0.990 and 0.999. Average recoveries varied from 73.2 to 119.6%. Repeatability and intra-laboratory reproducibility conditions of the method expressed as %RSD were less than 20%. These figures were within the SANTE/11312/2021 recovery limits (70-120%) and the values specified for the repeatability (RSD ≤ 20%). The limits of quantification were lower than the maximum residue limits set by the European Union for the potato. No pesticide residues were found at detectable limits in 93 samples. Two samples contained residues below the maximum residue limit (MRL), while nine samples contained residues above the MRLs. Clothianidin and thiamethoxam residues detected in one sample, while acetamiprid were detected in nine samples. The health risk assessment study indicated that potato consumption was safe for consumers.