الفهرس 
REVIEW OF LITERATUREOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Palm dates have been known since old ages as a tree with many unique qualities, and man has seen it as a source of good and blessing, in view of the important role that Palm dates have played in the lives of peoples and nations. Palm dates in the Nile Valley have been known since prehistoric ages. Date palms were highly nutritious and, as mentioned in the Holy Quran, were considered an essential food in Arab countries. Dates were very rich in nutrients, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, proteins, vitamins and fiber. On the medical level, dates used to treat liver disease and highly recommended for pregnant women before and after childbirth.
Many pests can infest palm trees, which vary in severity and intensity at different stages of growth. Therefore, pesticides have a great role in preventing crop loss and controlling pests. Nevertheless, Pesticide residues may be detected in date fruits, which ultimately reach the consumer and slowly cause negative impacts on human health.
Pesticide residues in dates:
1- The current study aims to investigate the existence of the remaining of 31 pesticides from different chemical groups in 257 date samples collected during 2019 and 2020 from the main production area of date palm in Egypt namely Aswan, El- Bahariya Oasis and El-Beheira. Samples were extracted and processed for analysis using QuEChERS method, which is used to extract a wide range of pesticides residues. Gas and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were used for determination of pesticides residues.
2- Thirty-one pesticides were detected in all date samples, and malathion was the highest frequently detected pesticide (57 times), followed by chlorpyrifos (45 times), cypermethrin (31 times), cyfluthrin (26 times), carbendazim (19 times), malaoxon (18 times) and Chlorpropham (17 times).
3- Most of pesticide residues detected in dates were insecticides (58.1%) followed by fungicides (29%), herbicide (6.5%), Acaricide (3.2%) and synergist (3.2%). Out of 31 pesticides residue detected in dates samples, 7 were not registered according the recommendation of the Agricultural Pesticide Committee (Carbendazim, Chlorpropham, Flusilazole, Malaoxon, Omethoate, Piperonyl butoxide and Tetramethrin).
Maximum residue limits of pesticides in/on dates:
1- A total of 257 dates sample have been analyzed whereas 118 samples (45.91%) were free of pesticide residues while 74 sample (28.79%) contained pesticide residue below the MRLs, and 65 samples (25.29%) contained pesticide residue above the MRLs
2- The most frequently pesticides detected above the MRLs were (Malathion, chlorpyrifos and Acetamiprid, Dimethoate, Cyfluthrin, Malaoxon, cypermethrin, Imidacloprid, Lambda-Cyhalothrin, profenofos and Methomyl).
3- The following detected Pesticides did not exceed the MRLs (Bentazone – Chlorfenapyr – Difenoconazole – Epoxiconazole – Flusilazole – Metalaxyl – Piperonyl butoxide – Propiconazole and Pyriproxyfen).
4- The results showed that there have been 118 samples free of pesticide residues in the three main production area of date palms in Aswan, Bahariya Oasis and El- Beheira in (17.5%, 16.3% and 12.1%), respectively.
5- A total of 65 samples (25.29% of total samples) with residues exceeding above MRLs of one or several pesticides were detected. The percentage of violated samples in Bahariya Oasis, El- Beheira and Aswan in (11.7%, 8.9% and 4.7%), respectively.
6- While the percentage of contaminated samples found in Bahariya Oasis, El- Beheira and Aswan in (14.8%, 7.4% and 6.6%), respectively.
Risk Assessment of pesticides in/on dates:
1- The study assessed the potential risks that may result from eating dates that contain pesticide residues greater than the maximum residue Limit (MRLs).
2- Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of pesticide residues in dates were calculated, and risk exposure was calculated as a percentage of Acceptable daily intake (ADI).
3- The results of Hazard Risk analysis have showed that there is no hazard risk to human health whereas each ADI percentage is less than (1).
from the obtained results we can conclude that:
1. Farmers did not take appropriate precautions with respect to the use of approved pesticides as appropriate (dosing - pre-harvest standard periods).
2. Some farmers apply pesticides without considering their position on registration.
3. Farmers use different types of pesticides to protect a particular crop against different pests and diseases.
4. Apply pesticides indiscriminately and not follow the instructions for the application of the pesticide.
Therefore, it is necessary to recommend
1- To reduce pesticides in agriculture by guiding farmers on how to use pesticides in smart and safe ways and encouraging the use of other alternative pest control such as biological Control.
2- Maintain a monitoring program for pesticide residues in all vegetables and fruits to establish a pesticide residues database which enable to set up future strategies for pest control and consumer protection against risk exposure to pesticides.
3- The need to increase public awareness among the public, where consumers should be aware of necessary measures that proved to reduce the Risk hazards of pesticide residues in all fruits and vegetables (i.e., Washing and Food Processing).