The aim of this study was to investigate the amount of pesticide residues in apples from the Marmara region. A total of 144 samples of fresh apples were collected from 2013 to 2015. The samples were analyzed to determine the concentrations of 313 pesticide residues. This is the first study describing three-years monitoring of 313 pesticides in apples (Malus pupila) in Turkey. After a multiresidue extraction procedure (the Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged Safe-QuEChERS method), the samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS (Agilent 6460 Triple Quad) and GC-MS/MS (Agilent 7000 Triple Quad). The results were evaluated according to the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for each commodity and examined according to Turkish food regulations. No pesticide residues were found in 21.53 of the apples while 52.09 and 26.38 of the samples were below and above the MRLs respectively. Thiacloprid, diflubenzuron, pyrime- thanil, thiabendazole, acetamiprid and chlorpyri- phos were the most abundant pesticide residues detected. The results of this study point to a need for a monitoring program for pesticide residues in apples.
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