Bioaccessibility and health risk of neonicotinoids in apple and pear samples as affected by in vitro digestion

Previous studies have only focused on the bioaccessibility of single pesticide/metal without considering the potential impact of post-uptake interactions on bioaccessibility of pesticides/metals in the human digestive system. Hence, the influences of chromium (Cr) speciation on neonicotinoids bioaccessibility were investigated and the potential health risk based on the oral bioaccessibility was evaluated. Bioaccessibility of four neonicotinoids in apple and pear was measured using three common in vitro methods (SBRC, PBET, and IVG). Bioaccessibility of neonicotinoids in apple and pear varied between in vitro methods, which may reflect the difference of determination parameters (i.e., pH values, incubation time, and constituents). The neonicotinoids bioaccessibility was remarkably reduced by 17.21–81.21% and 11.61–73.70% with the addition of Cr(III) and Cr(VI), respectively. Risk assessment based on the hazard quotient (HQ) with bioaccessibility revealed that exposure to pesticide residues in the tested fruits were all below levels that might pose a health risk. These findings are of theoretical value for the safety evaluation of pesticide residues on food.