-
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2022The levels of chemical pollutants were determined in 30 samples of varietal honey from southeastern Poland, including 223 pesticides (insecticides, herbicides,...
The levels of chemical pollutants were determined in 30 samples of varietal honey from southeastern Poland, including 223 pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, acaricides, plant growth regulators, and veterinary drugs) and 5 heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cu, and Zn). In 10% of the samples, no pesticide residues were found. The most frequently identified pesticides were thiacloprid (90% of the samples, max 0.337 mg/kg), acetamiprid (86.6%, max 0.061 mg/kg), carbendazim (60%, max 0.049 mg/kg), DMF (56.6%, max 0.038 mg/kg), total amitraz (53.3%, max 0.075 mg/kg), thiamethoxam (26.6%, max 0.004 mg/kg), thiacloprid-amide (13.3%, max 0.012 mg/kg), dimethoate (10%, max 0.003 mg/kg), azoxystrobin (10%, max 0.002 mg/kg), tebuconazole (6.66%, max 0.002 mg/kg), and boscalid (3.33%, max 0.001 mg/kg). The acceptable limits for the compounds were not exceeded in any sample. The Pb content ranged between 0.044 and 0.081 mg/kg. The concentration of Hg and Cd did not exceed 5.0 µg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. The honey variety significantly (p < 0.01) influenced the content of Cu, which ranged from 0.504 (rapeseed honey) to 1.201 mg/kg (buckwheat). A similar tendency (p > 0.05) was observed for the Zn content, which ranged from 0.657 mg/kg (linden) to 2.694 mg/kg (buckwheat). Honey produced in southeastern Poland was shown to be safe for human consumption.
PubMed: 35954127
DOI: 10.3390/foods11152362 -
Microorganisms Jul 2022This work was aimed at the development of an immobilized artificial consortium (IMAC) based on microorganisms belonging to the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial...
This work was aimed at the development of an immobilized artificial consortium (IMAC) based on microorganisms belonging to the Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cells capable of jointly carrying out the rapid and effective degradation of different organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs): paraoxon, parathion, methyl parathion, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, malathion, dimethoate, and demeton-S-methyl. A cryogel of poly(vinyl alcohol) was applied as a carrier for the IMAC. After a selection was made between several candidates of the genera and , the required combination of two cultures ( and ) was found. A further change in the ratio between the biomass of the cells inside the granules of IMAC, increasing the packing density of cells inside the same granules and decreasing the size of the granules with IMAC, gave a 225% improvement in the degradation activity of the cell combination. The increase in the velocity and the OPP degradation degree was 4.5 and 16 times greater than the individual and cells, respectively. Multiple uses of the obtained IMAC were demonstrated. The increase in IMAC lactonase activity confirmed the role of the cell quorum in the action efficiency of the synthetic biosystem. The co-inclusion of natural strains in a carrier during immobilization strengthened the IMAC activities without the genetic enhancement of the cells.
PubMed: 35889114
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071394 -
Toxics Jun 2022Imidacloprid (IMI) is an extensively used neonicotinoid insecticide whose occurrence in the environment is a worldwide problem. Its sorption/transport properties are...
Imidacloprid (IMI) is an extensively used neonicotinoid insecticide whose occurrence in the environment is a worldwide problem. Its sorption/transport properties are recognized as one of the key knowledge gaps hindering policymaking regarding its international routine monitoring in soils. Therefore, we studied IMI transport behaviour in Croatian Mediterranean soils using column experiments. Breakthrough curves were analysed using the two-site adsorption model and compared against dimethoate (DIM). Transport parameters were correlated to soil physicochemical properties. The results indicate that IMI shows a high degree of preference for soil organic matter over any other soil constituent. For IMI, the clay did not exhibit any sorption activity, while hematite did act as an active sorbent. Contrarily, hematite increased the leachability of DIM by blocking the active sorption sites on clay platelets. Both hematite and clay sorption acted as type-2 (i.e., rate-limiting) sites. In all soils, IMI exhibited lower short-term leachability than DIM. Combined with a body of data concerning other aspects of IMI environmental behaviour, the results indicate that the risk of accumulation of IMI in the soil is greater than the risk of contamination by leaching. Thus, continuous monitoring of IMI in soils should be incorporated into future soil health protection programs.
PubMed: 35878263
DOI: 10.3390/toxics10070358 -
Polymers Jun 2022The goal of the current article was to obtain data regarding the application of a series of grafted pullulan derivatives, as flocculating agents, for removal of some...
The goal of the current article was to obtain data regarding the application of a series of grafted pullulan derivatives, as flocculating agents, for removal of some pesticide formulations from model wastewater. The pullulan derivatives are cationic polyelectrolytes, with various content and length of grafted poly[(3-acrylamidopropyl)-trimethylammonium chloride] chains onto the pullulan (P--pAPTAC)]. The commercial pesticides are either fungicide (Bordeaux Mixture) () or insecticides (Decis ()-active ingredient Deltamethrin, Confidor Oil ()-active ingredient Imidacloprid, Confidor Energy ()-active ingredients Deltamethrin and Imidacloprid and Novadim Progress ()-active ingredient Dimethoate). The removal efficiency has been assessed by UV-Vis spectroscopy measurements as a function of some parameters, namely polymer dose, grafted chains content and length, pesticides concentration. The P--pAPTAC samples showed good removal efficacy at dose, more than 94% for , between 84 and 90% for , and and around 93% for . The maximum percentage removal decreased with the pesticides (, , , ) concentration declining; no effect of concentration in suspension on its removal efficiency process has been noted. Differences indicated by zeta potential and particle size distribution measurements regarding the pesticides removal mechanisms by pullulan derivatives (charge neutralization, bridging, etc.) are discussed.
PubMed: 35808707
DOI: 10.3390/polym14132663 -
The Science of the Total Environment Oct 2022The assessment of chemical mixture toxicity is one of the major challenges in ecotoxicology. Chemicals can interact, leading to more or less effects than expected,...
The assessment of chemical mixture toxicity is one of the major challenges in ecotoxicology. Chemicals can interact, leading to more or less effects than expected, commonly named synergism and antagonism respectively. The classic ad hoc approach for the assessment of mixture effects is based on dose-response curves at a single time point, and is limited to identifying a mixture interaction but cannot provide predictions for untested exposure durations, nor for scenarios where exposure varies in time. We here propose a new approach using toxicokinetic-toxicodynamic modelling: The General Unified Threshold model of Survival (GUTS) framework, recently extended for mixture toxicity assessment. We designed a dedicated mechanistic interaction module coupled with the GUTS mixture model to i) identify interactions, ii) test hypotheses to identify which chemical is likely responsible for the interaction, and finally iii) simulate and predict the effect of synergistic and antagonistic mixtures. We tested the modelling approach experimentally with two species (Enchytraeus crypticus and Mamestra brassicae) exposed to different potentially synergistic mixtures (composed of: prochloraz, imidacloprid, cypermethrin, azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, and chlorpyrifos). Furthermore, we also tested the model with previously published experimental data on two other species (Bombus terrestris and Daphnia magna) exposed to pesticide mixtures (clothianidin, propiconazole, dimethoate, imidacloprid and thiacloprid) found to be synergistic or antagonistic with the classic approach. The results showed an accurate simulation of synergistic and antagonistic effects for the different tested species and mixtures. This modelling approach can identify interactions accounting for the entire time of exposure, and not only at one time point as in the classic approach, and provides predictions of the mixture effect for untested mixture exposure scenarios, including those with time-variable mixture composition.
Topics: Animals; Chlorpyrifos; Daphnia; Insecticides; Oligochaeta; Toxicokinetics
PubMed: 35779734
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157048 -
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences :... May 2022
Topics: Cholinesterases; Dimethoate; Humans; Occupational Exposure; Polymorphism, Genetic; Telomere
PubMed: 35676815
DOI: 10.3967/bes2022.060 -
The Science of the Total Environment Sep 2022Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the current model species for pesticide risk assessments, but considering bee diversity, their life histories, and paucity of...
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the current model species for pesticide risk assessments, but considering bee diversity, their life histories, and paucity of non-eusocial bee data, this approach could underestimate risk. We assessed whether honey bees were an adequate risk predictor to non-targets. We conducted oral and contact bioassays for Leioproctus paahaumaa, a solitary ground-nesting bee, and A. mellifera, using imidacloprid (neonicotinoid) and dimethoate (organophosphate). The bees responded inconsistently; L. paahaumaa were 36 and 194 times more susceptible to oral and topically applied imidacloprid than A. mellifera, but showed comparable sensitivity to dimethoate. Furthermore, the proposed safety factor of ten applied to honey bee endpoints did not cover the interspecific sensitivity difference. Our standard-setting study highlights the urgent need for more comparative inter-species toxicity studies and the development of standardized toxicity protocols to ensure regulatory pesticide risk assessment frameworks are protective of diverse pollinators.
Topics: Animals; Bees; Dimethoate; Insecticides; Neonicotinoids; Nitro Compounds; Pesticides
PubMed: 35654201
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156398 -
Open Veterinary Journal 2022Dimethoate (DM) is one of the most organophosphorus pesticides used all over the world to control insect pests, the extensive use of this insecticide causes a health...
BACKGROUND
Dimethoate (DM) is one of the most organophosphorus pesticides used all over the world to control insect pests, the extensive use of this insecticide causes a health hazard to animals and humans.
AIM
This study was conducted to evaluate the positive effect of green tea extract on sperm quality and testicular cytoarchitecture in male mice treated with DM and on its reproductive performance.
METHODS
Mice were divided into three groups, each group contained nine mice, the first group (control) was given distilled water only, the second group received DM at a dose (0.1 ml DM/100 ml distilled water) while the third group was given DM at a dose (0.1 ml DM/ 100 ml distilled water) and the green tea extract at a dose (100 mg/kg). After 20 days of the treatment, six mice from each group were killed, sperm quality (sperm count, morphology motility) and histopathological lesions of testis were evaluated.
RESULTS
The results showed that DM significantly affected sperm quality a decrease in sperm motility and an increase in abnormal sperm morphology and caused marked alterations in the microstructures of testicular tissues. When treated males were mated with untreated females, a decline in the number of live embryos was found, while the green tea extract revealed an effective role by reducing those negative influences.
CONCLUSION
This study revealed that DM has detrimental effects on sperm quality, testicular tissues, and the embryos, while treatment with green tea revealed a positive role in improving those negative influences of DM without causing any harmful side effects.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Dimethoate; Female; Male; Mice; Organophosphorus Compounds; Pesticides; Plant Extracts; Sperm Motility; Tea; Water
PubMed: 35603062
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i2.2 -
Journal of Food Science and Technology Jun 2022The indiscriminate utilization of agrochemicals causes environmental and animal life impacts. In this regard, methodologies have been developed to offer efficiency and...
UNLABELLED
The indiscriminate utilization of agrochemicals causes environmental and animal life impacts. In this regard, methodologies have been developed to offer efficiency and quickness for agrochemicals detection. Due to their selectivity and molecular recognition sites, Molecular Imprinted Polymer (MIPs) have been widely employed in some areas, including biotechnology, waste analyses, foodstuff, biological fluids, and others. This work proposed developing a method to determine aminocarb, pirimicarb, dimethoate, omethoate, pyridaphenthion, and fenitrothion pesticides using molecularly imprinted polymer combined with solid-phase extraction (MIP-SPE) for clean-up and paper spray ionization mass spectrometry for their analysis. Extractions analysis for Aminocarb, Pirimicarb, and Omethoate using MIP-SPE showed better performance when compared with MIP and NIP. The values were found with > 0.98 for all pesticides, and LODs and LOQs values were 50 and 100 µg kg, respectively. The precision and accuracy were assessed at three concentration levels-low, medium, and high. The precision values (interday and intraday) were below 10%, and the variation of recovery was between 80 and 120% for all pesticides. Therefore, it was possible to verify the presence of two carbamates and five organophosphorus without the necessity of preconcentration samples with precision and good recovery.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05464-7.
PubMed: 35602426
DOI: 10.1007/s13197-022-05464-7 -
Environmental Geochemistry and Health May 2023Pesticides are the most cost-effective means of pest control; however, the serious concern is about the non-target effects due to their extensive and intensive use in...
Pesticides are the most cost-effective means of pest control; however, the serious concern is about the non-target effects due to their extensive and intensive use in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. The degradation rate constant (k) and half-life (DT) of four commonly used pesticides, glyphosate, 2,4-D, chlorothalonil and dimethoate were determined in five Australian urban landscape soils, with varying physicochemical characteristics, to assess their environmental and human health risks. The k values (day) for the selected pesticides were inversely proportional to those of organic carbon (OC), silt, clay and Fe and Al oxides, and directly proportional to pH and sand content in soils. In contrast, the calculated values of DT (days) of all the four pesticides in five soils positively correlated with OC, clay, silt and oxides of Fe and Al, whereas soil pH and sand content exhibited a negative correlation. The calculated values of environmental indices, GUS and LIX, for the selected pesticides indicate their potential portability into water bodies, affecting non-target organisms as well as food safety. The evaluation for human non-cancer risk of these pesticides, based on the calculated values of hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI), suggested that exposure of adults and children to soils, contaminated with 50% of initially applied concentrations, through ingestion, dermal and inhalation pathways might cause negligible to zero non-carcinogenic risks. The present data might help the stakeholders in applying recommended doses of pesticides in urban landscapes and regulatory bodies concerned in monitoring the overall environmental quality and implementing safeguard policies. Our study also clearly demonstrates the need for developing improved formulations and spraying technologies for pesticides to minimize human and environmental health risks.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Pesticides; Soil; Clay; Sand; Soil Pollutants; Australia; Risk Assessment; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 35538333
DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01278-w