Abstract:
Pesticide residues in herbs were studied: a case study of Bandongbang Herbal Growers Group, Tambon Dongkeerek, Mueang Prachin Buri District, Prachin Buri Province. This study was conducted using questionnaire and analyzing the residues of herb pesticides by test kits. The results revealed that there was a total of 6 herbal plant growers and 16 species of herbs were planted. Every household has more than 20 years of experience in growing herbs by cultivating their own crops as their main source of income. The herb-growing process did not use chemical pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Ground water was used for irrigation. The most commonly planted herbs were Beijing grass, followed by Thai bitter cucumber and snake plant, respectively. Most of the herbal products were sold to the Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital Foundation in the form of dried products. Pesticide residue detection results from 33 samples of 16 types of herbs were analyzed for residues of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides using the GT-Test Kit. Residues at an unsafe level of 1 sample, namely Cocculus, and remaining at a safe level in 3 samples, namely Andrographis herb and Piper sarmentosum. Whereas analyzing the residues of organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides with the GPO-TM/2 Kit, no residues were found in all samples. Some medicinal plants are characterized by the properties of the psychotropic plan. Therefore, the use of the test kit can only preliminarily detect the residues of herbal pesticides. The detection of pesticide residues should use qualitative and quantitative measuring instruments. In addition, the residues in the environment should be surveyed both on the farmland and nearby areas.