Organochlorine Pesticide Residues Levels in Cocoa Pods and Beans from Selected Cocoa Farms in Ondo Central Senatorial District

This Research project investigated the level of organochlorine pesticides (OCPS) residues in cocoa farms from three major cocoa producing Local Government Areas including: Akure south, Ifedore, and Idanre, in Ondo state Senatorial District. Cocoa seeds and cocoa pods were collected from three farms in Idanre, Oda and Ilara-mokin. All samples were analyzed for organo chlorine pesticide residues by Gas chromatography with Electron capture detector prior to the chromatography analyses,, extraction of samples was carried out using Ethyl Acetate (Et Ac) with the addition of sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3). The sample extracts were then cleaned up by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) utilizing silica packed column, and a 1:1 mixture of cyclohexane /ethyl acetate ass eluting solvent. From all indication Endosulfan I occurred most frequently in the samples and at very high concentrations of 3.49mg/kg in pod sample from Ifedore farm 2. Endosulfan II was also detected in some of the sample at much lower concentrations compared to endosulfan I. The three isomers of Benzene hexachloride, α-BHC, β-BHC, and δ-BHC, were detected in some of the samples from the three Local Government Areas. Lindare was not detect in any of the samples. Heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin and dieldrin were also measured in the various samples. The research thus, provides information on the current and health risk residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in cocoa fruits, as it is environmental performance on the use of pesticides on cocoa farms should be considered greatly.