-
Environmental Science and Pollution... Jun 2024Fungicides are pesticides that are frequently used in agriculture because of their action against fungal diseases. However, the widespread application of pesticides...
Fungicides are pesticides that are frequently used in agriculture because of their action against fungal diseases. However, the widespread application of pesticides around the world raises environmental and public health concerns, since these compounds are toxic and can pose risks to ecosystems and human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic, cytogenotoxic, and biochemical effects of azoxystrobin and carbendazim on Lactuca sativa L. and their physiological effects on Phaseolus vulgaris L. by analyzing the cell cycle and chromosomal and nuclear alterations in L. sativa; the biochemical effects of azoxystrobin and carbendazim on Phaseolus vulgaris L. and their physiological effects on Phaseolus vulgaris L. by analyzing the cell cycle and chromosomal and nuclear alterations in L. sativa; the biochemical effects by analyzing the activity of antioxidant enzymes in L. sativa; and the physiological effects by analyzing chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a fluorescence in P. vulgaris. It was observed that both fungicides were phytotoxic and cytotoxic, reducing root growth and the mitotic index, cytogenotoxic, increasing the occurrence of chromosomal alterations, as well as inducing oxidative stress and an increase in chlorophyll fluorescence emission and altered energy absorption in the plants used as a test system. In view of this, studies such as the one presented here indicate that the use of pesticides, even in small quantities, can lead to damage to the metabolism of plant organisms.
PubMed: 38922465
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34013-2 -
Biosensors Jun 2024Agricultural products are vitally important for sustaining life on earth and their production has notably grown over the years worldwide in general and in Brazil...
Agricultural products are vitally important for sustaining life on earth and their production has notably grown over the years worldwide in general and in Brazil particularly. Elevating agricultural practices consequently leads to a proportionate increase in the usage of pesticides that are crucially important for enhanced crop yield and protection. These compounds have been employed excessively in alarming concentrations, causing the contamination of soil, water, and air. Additionally, they pose serious threats to human health. The current study introduces an innovative tool for producing appropriate materials coupled with an electrochemical sensor designed to measure carbendazim levels. The sensor is developed using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) mounted on a glassy carbon electrode. This electrode is equipped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for improved performance. The combined system demonstrates promising potential for accurately quantifying carbendazim. The morphological characteristics of the synthesized materials were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) technique. The analytical curve was drawn using the electrochemical method in the range of 2 to 20 ppm while for HPLC 2-12 ppm; the results are presented as the maximum adsorption capacity of the MIP (82.4%) when compared with NIP (41%) using the HPLC method. The analysis conducted using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) yielded a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.0 ppm and a repeatability of 5.08% ( = 10). The results obtained from the analysis of selectivity demonstrated that the proposed electrochemical sensor is remarkably efficient for the quantitative assessment of carbendazim, even in the presence of another interferent. The sensor was successfully tested for river water samples for carbendazim detection, and recovery rates ranging from 94 to 101% were obtained for HPLC and 94 to 104% for the electrochemical method. The results obtained show that the proposed electrochemical technique is viable for the application and quantitative determination of carbendazim in any medium.
Topics: Carbamates; Benzimidazoles; Pesticides; Nanotubes, Carbon; Electrochemical Techniques; Biosensing Techniques; Electrodes; Biomimetic Materials; Limit of Detection
PubMed: 38920608
DOI: 10.3390/bios14060304 -
Journal of Environmental Health Science... Jun 2024This work explores the dynamics of spatiotemporal changes in the taxonomic structure of biofilms and the degradation kinetics of three imidazole group compounds:...
Dynamic and structural response of a multispecies biofilm to environmental perturbations induced by the continuous increase of benzimidazole fungicides in a permeable reactive biobarrier.
PURPOSE
This work explores the dynamics of spatiotemporal changes in the taxonomic structure of biofilms and the degradation kinetics of three imidazole group compounds: carbendazim (CBZ), methyl thiophanate (MT), and benomyl (BN) by a multispecies microbial community attached to a fixed bed horizontal tubular reactor (HTR). This bioreactor mimics a permeable reactive biobarrier, which helps prevent the contamination of water bodies by pesticides in agricultural wastewater.
METHODS
To rapidly quantify the microbial response to crescent loading rates of benzimidazole compounds, a gradient system was used to transiently raise the fungicide volumetric loading rates, measuring the structural and functional dynamics response of a microbial community in terms of the volumetric removal rates of the HTR entering pollutants.
RESULTS
The loading rate gradient of benzimidazole compounds severely impacts the spatiotemporal taxonomic structure of the HTR biofilm-forming microbial community. Notable differences with the original structure in HTR stable conditions can be noted after three historical contingencies (CBZ, MT, and BN gradient loading rates). It was evidenced that the microbial community did not return to the composition prior to environmental disturbances; however, the functional similarity of microbial communities after steady state reestablishment was observed.
CONCLUSIONS
The usefulness of the method of gradual delivery of potentially toxic agents for a microbial community immobilized in a tubular biofilm reactor was shown since its functional and structural dynamics were quickly evaluated in response to fungicide composition and concentration changes. The rapid adjustment of the contaminants' removal rates indicates that even with changes in the taxonomic structure of a microbial community, its functional redundancy favors its adjustment to gradual environmental disturbances.
PubMed: 38887762
DOI: 10.1007/s40201-024-00903-3 -
Food Chemistry Jun 2024Precisely detecting trace pesticides and their residues in food products is crucial for ensuring food safety. Herein, a high-performance electrochemical sensing platform...
Precisely detecting trace pesticides and their residues in food products is crucial for ensuring food safety. Herein, a high-performance electrochemical sensing platform was developed for the detection of carbendazim (CBZ) using Co,N co-doped hollow carbon nanocage@carbon nanotubes (Co,N-HC@CNTs) obtained from core-shell ZIF-8@ZIF-67 combined with a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). The Co,N-HC@CNTs exhibited excellent electrocatalytic performance, benefitting from the synergistic effect of CNTs that provide a large specific surface area and excellent electrical conductivity, Co,N co-doped carbon nanocages that offer high electrocatalytic activity and hollow nanocage structures that ensure rapid diffusion kinetics. The conductive PEDOT-MIP provided specific binding sites for CBZ detection and significantly amplified the detection signal. The sensor showed superior selectivity for CBZ with an extremely low detection limit of 1.67 pmol L. Moreover, the method was successfully applied to detect CBZ in tomato, orange and apple samples, achieving satisfactory recovery and accuracy, thus demonstrating its practical feasibility.
PubMed: 38878547
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140063 -
Pest Management Science Jun 2024Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess broad-spectrum biological activities with less inclination to inducing antibiotic resistance. Herein a battery of...
BACKGROUND
Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) possess broad-spectrum biological activities with less inclination to inducing antibiotic resistance. Herein a battery of amphiphilic amidines were designed by mimicking the characteristics of AMPs. The antifungal activities and the effects to the hyphal morphology and membrane permeability were investigated.
RESULTS
The results indicated the inhibitory rates of ten compounds were over 80% to Botrytis cinerea and ten compounds over 90% to Valsa mali Miyabe et Yamada at 50 mg L. The half maximal effective concentration (EC) values of compound 5g and 6g to V. mali were 1.21 and 1.90 mg L respectively. The protective rate against apple canker of compound 5g reached 93.4% at 100 mg L on twigs, superior to carbendazim (53.3%). When treated with 5g, the cell membrane permeability and leakage of content of V. mali increased, accompanied with the decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) level. Concurrently, the mycelial hyphae contracted, wrinkled, and collapsed, providing evidence of membrane perturbation. A three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) between the topic compounds and the EC to V. mali was established showing good predictability (r = 0.971).
CONCLUSION
Amphiphilic amidines can acquire antifungal activities by acting on the plasmic membrane. Compound 5g could be a promising lead in discovering novel fungicidal candidates. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
PubMed: 38877543
DOI: 10.1002/ps.8253 -
Toxicology Research Jun 2024Zebrafish being the best animal model to study, every attempt has been made to decipher the toxic mechanism of every fungicide of usage and interest. It is important to... (Review)
Review
Zebrafish being the best animal model to study, every attempt has been made to decipher the toxic mechanism of every fungicide of usage and interest. It is important to understand the multiple targets of a toxicant to estimate the toxic potential in its totality. A total of 22 fungicides of different classes like amisulbrom, azoxystrobin, carbendazim, carboxin, chlorothalonil, difenoconazole, etridiazole, flusilazole, fluxapyroxad, hexaconazole, kresoxim methyl, mancozeb, myclobutanil, prochloraz, propiconazole, propineb, pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, thiophanate-methyl, thiram, trifloxystrobin and ziram were reviewed and analyzed for their multiple explored targets in zebrafish. Toxic end points in zebrafish are highly informative when it comes to network analysis. They provide a window into the molecular and cellular pathways that are affected by a certain toxin. This can then be used to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of toxicity and to draw conclusions on the potential of a particular compound to induce toxicity. This knowledge can then be used to inform decisions about drug development, environmental regulation, and other areas of research. In addition, the use of zebrafish toxic end points can also be used to better understand the effects of environmental pollutants on ecosystems. By understanding the pathways affected by a given toxin, researchers can determine how pollutants may interact with the environment and how this could lead to health or environmental impacts.
PubMed: 38845614
DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae087 -
Food Additives & Contaminants. Part B,... Jun 2024This study evaluated the presence of the three pesticides methomyl (MET), carbendazim (CBZ) and chlorpyrifos-ethyl (CPE), as well as the degradation product of CPE...
This study evaluated the presence of the three pesticides methomyl (MET), carbendazim (CBZ) and chlorpyrifos-ethyl (CPE), as well as the degradation product of CPE (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol; TCP), in 44 honey samples from all 12 regions of Morocco. With a validated HPLC-UV method occurrence frequencies of 63.6% for MET, 54.5% for CBZ, 95.1% for CPE and 34.1% for TCP were obtained, even at concentrations higher than the maximum residue limits for MET, CPE and TCP. Based on the predominant pesticide, principal component analysis separated sampling regions into three groups. Risk assessment indicated that ingestion of these pesticides, alone or in combination, in honey did not pose a risk to consumers (HQ and HI < 1).
PubMed: 38835106
DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2024.2362981 -
Spectrochimica Acta. Part A, Molecular... Oct 2024Pesticides, including fungicides, are one of the important groups of environmental toxins that affect human and animal health. Studies have shown that these compounds...
Pesticides, including fungicides, are one of the important groups of environmental toxins that affect human and animal health. Studies have shown that these compounds are considered chemical pollutants. Carbendazim is a systemic fungicide. Unfortunately, excessive use of carbendazim has caused environmental pollution all over the world. In this study, the effect of carbendazim on the enzyme elastase (secreted from the endocrine gland of the pancreas) has been investigated. In a study, the performance and reaction of carbendazim with elastase were investigated using spectroscopic techniques. The stability and structure of elastase enzymes were studied under the influence of carbendazim. The results of fluorescence emission and UV-visible absorption spectrum showed that in the presence of carbendazim, there is an increase in UV-Vis absorption and a decrease in the intensity of the intrinsic fluorescence emission in the protein spectrum. Additionally, a decrease in the thermal stability of elastase was observed in the presence of carbendazim. The stability and structure of elastase enzyme were investigated in the presence of carbendazim. The results revealed that the UV-Vis absorption increased due to the presence of carbendazim, as indicated by the hyperchromic spectrum at 220 and 280 nm peaks. Additionally, the intrinsic fluorescence emission in the protein spectrum decreased with increasing carbendazim concentration at three different temperatures (298, 303, and 313 K). Moreover, the study demonstrated that the TM decreased from 2.59 to 4.58 with the increase of carbendazim, suggesting a decrease in the stability of the elastase structure in response to the elevated carbendazim concentration. According to the results of the research, the interaction between elastase and carbendazim has occurred, and changes have been made in the enzyme under the influence of carbendazim. The formation of the complex between elastase and carbendazim was consistent with the results obtained from molecular simulation and confirmed the thermodynamic data.
Topics: Carbamates; Benzimidazoles; Pancreatic Elastase; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Molecular Docking Simulation; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; Animals; Thermodynamics; Enzyme Stability; Protein Binding; Computer Simulation; Humans; Fungicides, Industrial
PubMed: 38833886
DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124586 -
Mikrochimica Acta May 2024A novel aptamer-based sensor was developed using the signal amplification strategy of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and polyethyleneimine modified...
Highly sensitive electrochemical quantification of carbendazim via synergistic enhancement of ring-opening metathesis polymerization and polyethyleneimine modified graphene oxide.
A novel aptamer-based sensor was developed using the signal amplification strategy of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and polyethyleneimine modified graphene oxide to achieve trace detection of carbendazim (CBZ). The dual identification of aptamer and antibody was used to avoid false positive results and improve the selectivity. Polyethyleneimine modified graphene oxide (GO-PEI), as a substrate material with excellent conductivity, was modified on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to increase the grafting amount of aptamer on the electrode surface. Moreover, a large number of cyclopentenyl ferrocene (CFc) was aggregated to form long polymer chains through ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), so as to significantly improve the detection sensitivity of the biosensor. The linear range of this sensor was 1 pg/mL-100 ng/mL with a detection limit as low as 7.80 fg/mL. The sensor exhibited excellent reproducibility and stability, and also achieved satisfactory results in actual sample detection. The design principle of such a sensor could provide innovative ideas for sensors in the detection of other types of targets.
Topics: Graphite; Carbamates; Electrochemical Techniques; Limit of Detection; Polyethyleneimine; Polymerization; Biosensing Techniques; Benzimidazoles; Aptamers, Nucleotide; Electrodes; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 38805077
DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06412-2 -
Genomics Jul 2024Fusarium graminearum is an economically important phytopathogenic fungus. Chemical control remains the dominant approach to managing this plant pathogen. In the present... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Fusarium graminearum is an economically important phytopathogenic fungus. Chemical control remains the dominant approach to managing this plant pathogen. In the present study, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis to understand the effects of four commercially used fungicides on F. graminearum. The results revealed a significant number of differentially expressed genes related to carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism, particularly in the carbendazim and phenamacril groups. Central carbon pathways, including the TCA and glyoxylate cycles, were found to play crucial roles across all treatments except tebuconazole. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis reinforced the pivotal role of central carbon pathways based on identified hub genes. Additionally, critical candidates associated with ATP-binding cassette transporters, heat shock proteins, and chitin synthases were identified. The crucial functions of the isocitrate lyase in F. graminearum were also validated. Overall, the study provided comprehensive insights into the mechanisms of how F. graminearum responds to fungicide stress.
Topics: Fusarium; Fungicides, Industrial; Fungal Proteins; Transcriptome; Isocitrate Lyase; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Gene Expression Profiling
PubMed: 38797456
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110869