Determination of carbendazim, thiabendazole and thiophanate-methyl in banana (Musa acuminata) samples imported to Italy

The occurrence of benzimidazole fungicides (benomyl and its metabolites carbendazim, thiabendazole and thiophanate-methyl) in 50 banana samples imported to Italy from Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica during 2002–2003 was investigated. In 11 samples, thiabendazole was found at concentrations ranging from 0.050 to 2.510 mg/kg. In five samples, carbendazim was found at concentrations ranging from 0.140 to 1.100 mg/kg, whereas thiophanate-methyl was not detected in any sample. Analysis was carried out using HPLC-DAD and positive samples were confirmed by GC–MS. Recoveries of carbendazim, thiabendazole and thiophanate-methyl at four fortification levels (0.5, 1.0, 2.5 and 4.0 mg/kg) were in the range 81–96% for carbendazim and thiabendazole and 63.2–69.8% for thiophanate-methyl. Only two samples contained carbendazim that exceeded the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius and the Italian Department of Health maximum residue limits.