Pesticide and plasticizer residues in biological citrus essential oils from 2003-2004

Contamination of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides, phosphorated plasticizers, chloro-paraffins and phthalate, adipate and sebacate ester in citrus essential oils produced in Sicily in the crop years 2003-2004 was studied by HRGC in connection with FPD, ECD and MS detectors. All the samples, 40 from 2003 and 10 from 2004, were grown using biological cultivation and were industrially produced. Biological farming is based on the abolition of chemicals and produces food free from contaminants. Unfortunately, residues of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides were found in some of the analysed citrus essential oils from both the crop years. Also, plasticizers residues were found in some of the studied oils, probably as a result of the use of different types of plastic components during the extraction process. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.