Abstract

MURGA JUAREZ, María N. et al. Presence of organochlorine pesticides in forage for cattle in organic milk production units in Tecpatan, Chiapas. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.2, pp.157-166. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v8i2.4432.

The presence of organochlorine pesticides in the environment is a current topic due to the persistence, potential for long-range transport and toxicity to wildlife and humans. In Mexico, Chiapas has the first place in the production of organic food, where Tecpatan municipality is the first place of organic milk. Twenty-five years ago the farmers did not use organochlorine pesticides, but some conventional farmers employ this compounds for controlling pests and disease vectors with knowledge of the health authorities. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of organochlorine pesticides in feed for dairy cattle production of organic milk. Three production units of organic milk samples were chosen to collect fodder and milk for one year, considering wet and dry season. Pesticides were extracted and purified based on the provisions of the USEPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) and analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector (ECD 63Ni). The compounds that exceeded the maximum permissible limit by the Codex Alimentarius were lindane, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide + aldrin + dieldrin (37.5 ± 84, 125 ± 62 and 20 ± 50 basis ng.g-1 fatty base, respectively). In the forage samples the higher values were alpha + beta-HCH, lindane and heptachlor + heptachlor epoxide (76.3 ± 140, 105 ± 43 ng.g-1 and 40 ± 76 ng.g-1 dry weight). It is likely that the strong presence of these compounds is due to their use in vector control in health campaigns or ectoparasites of livestock in the region by conventional producers.

Keywords : Organochlorine pesticides; Forage; Organic production; Chiapas.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )