Oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in the frog,Rana chensinensis,when exposed to low doses of trichlorfon

Trichlorfon is an organophosphate insecticide that is widely used in aquaculture and agriculture against parasitic infestations and has caused aquatic toxicity to non-target organisms. To evaluate the effects of low doses of trichlorfon on the oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in amphibians, Chinese brown frogs (Rana chensinensis) were exposed to trichlorfon at concentrations of 0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 mg/L for 2 and 4 weeks. Then, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in hepatic tissue were examined to evaluate the effects of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. The histopathological alternations to the liver were observed through light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that SOD and CAT activities were increased in the livers of frogs exposed to various concentrations of trichlorfon. The GST activity showed no significant changes at any concentration after 2 weeks of exposure, whereas there was an initial increase after exposure to 0.1 mg/L of trichlorfon at 4 weeks. The content of MDA revealed a significant decrease after exposure. Histopathological and ultrastructural studies showed that trichlorfon induced hyalinization, vacuolation, nucleus necrosis, and cellular swelling in hepatocytes. These results suggest that low doses of trichlorfon could induce oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and hepatic lesions in frogs, which shows that even lower, non-lethal doses of trichlorfon are potentially toxic to amphibians.     

Occurrence and distribution of sediment-associated insecticides in urban waterways in the Pearl River Delta, China

Sediment-associated pesticides, including organochlorine (OCP), organophosphate (OP), and pyrethroid insecticides, were analyzed in urban waterways in three cities (Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Shenzhen) in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), China. The OCPs represented 27.2% of the detectable insecticides in sediment, and chlordanes, DDTs, and endosulfans were the most frequently detected OCPs. The currently used insecticide chlorpyrifos was the only OP detected above the reporting limit (RL), with concentrations ranging from <RL to 100 ng g⁻¹ dry weight (dw). Additionally, pyrethroids were detected in all sediments with the sum pyrethroid concentrations ranging from 4.26 to 384 ng g⁻¹ dw and this represented 64.9% of the sum insecticide concentration. Despite their widespread use, no studies have been conducted investigating the occurrence and distribution of pyrethroids in China. As the first report of pyrethroids in urban waterways in China, the current study found cypermethrin was the most abundant insecticide detected in the PRD at concentrations ranging from 1.44 to 219 ng g⁻¹ dw. Spatially, sediment from more populous and urbanized areas (Shenzhen and Tianhe district in Guangzhou) had higher insecticide residues than less populous agricultural areas. In the more modernized city of Shenzhen, the OCPs were seldom detected, whereas more diverse patterns of pyrethroids were observed. Potential sources of these insecticides, especially the frequently detected pyrethroids, were most likely from pest control during urban landscaping maintenance and from abatement programs targeting mosquitoes and ants. Results suggested that a shift in application pattern and elevated urbanization increased accumulation of currently used insecticides like pyrethroids in sediment, and made them the predominate insecticides in the PRD urban waterways.     

Insecticidal activity of raw ethanolic extracts from Magnolia dealbata Zucc on a tephritid pest

Ethanolic extracts from Magnolia dealbata (Zucc.) (Magnoliaceae); leaves, bark, seeds, sarcotesta and flowers were evaluated for insecticidal activity against adults of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Using feeding bioassays composed from sugar-extract mixtures, only the extract from sarcotesta indicated insecticidal activity against the flies. The extracts from the other four plant tissues (leaves, bark, seeds and flowers) did not manifest any biological activity. The most effective extract was obtained from oven-dried sarcotesta, whereas extracts from fresh sarcotesta were inactive. Our results suggest that M. dealbata sarcotesta contains secondary metabolites with insecticidal activity against A. ludens adults. These metabolites are as potent as natural pyrethins and represent a potential substance for controlling this type of pest.     

Bioefficacy,dissipation kinetics and safety evaluation of selected insecticides in Allium cepa L

This paper reports the bioefficacy of selected insecticides against thrips and their pre-harvest intervals (PHI) in onion pertaining to their recommended application rates and maximum residue limits. Profenophos, methomyl and imidacloprid showed comparatively higher bioefficacy against thrips. GC-MS and LC-MS/MS-based residue analysis methods in onion bulbs and composite matrix of bulbs+leaves were thoroughly validated. The residue data for bulb+leaves was assessed with reference to the EU-MRLs applicable for spring onion. Dimethoate was the most stable chemical with PHI of 52.5 days, followed by monocrotophos (24 days) and carbofuran (20.5 days). The PHIs of profenophos, chlorpyrifos, methomyl and cypermethrin were similar and within the range of 10–13 days. Imidacloprid and λ-cyhalothrin had similar PHI of 4.5 days. Spinosad was the fastest-degrading chemical with PHI of 2 days. The combined bioefficacy and residue dynamics information will support label-claim of these insecticides for the management of thrips in onion, help in scheduling their applications in pest management program as per relative PHIs and minimize the residue accumulations at harvest. The dietary exposure was less than the maximum permissible intake for most of the insecticides on all sampling days except for dimethoate and monocrotophos.     

Foliar washoff of pesticides (FWOP) model: Development and evaluation

Abstract

The Foliar Washoff of Pesticides (FWOP) Model was developed to provide an empirical simulation of pesticide washoff from plant leaf surfaces as influenced by rainfall amount. To evaluate the technique, simulations by the FWOP Model were compared to those by the foliar washoff algorithm of the Chemical, Runoff and Erosion from Agricultural Management Systems (CREAMS) Model. The two algorithms were linked individually to the Pesticide Runoff Simulator (PRS) for the comparison. Five years of test data from a Mississippi watershed were used to evaluate six insecticides (carbaryl, profenofos, methyl parathion, permethrin, phorate, and toxaphene).

Initially, the FWOP model was used to evaluate the relative impact of chemical distribution (foliage versus soil) on the subsequent foliar washoff and soil surface contributions to runoff losses. Results indicated that runoff losses were low If all of the insecticide was applied to the foliage whereas high losses occurred if applied only to the soil. When an assumed application was distributed between the plant and soil (i.e., 90% to foliage and 10% to soil), predicted runoff losses compared well with observed field data (<3% of the application rate).

Except for toxaphene, the FWOP model generally predicted less washoff and subsequent runoff losses than the CREAMS approach. Simulated toxaphene washoff losses were in good agreement with observed field data. Statistical comparisons of the two modeling approaches using the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test showed differences in the two cumulative frequency distributions for washoff but smaller differences for runoff. Average 5‐year runoff losses, however, were greater using the CREAMS approach—by factors of 2, 3, and 3 for profenofos, methyl parathion and phorate, respectively.

Results from this study will be useful for upgrading current exposure assessment models to more accurately address foliar washoff losses of pesticides as well as for assessing the impact of foliar‐applied chemicals on environmental quality.     

Translocation of aged cyclodiene insecticide residues from soil into forage crops and pastures at various growth stages under field conditions

Abstract

Field trials were conducted to measure translocation of pesticides by summer and winter forage/pasture species from soil containing aged residues of heptachlor and, to a lesser extent, dieldrin. Substantial amounts of heptachlor epoxide, and lesser amounts of y‐chlordane were translocated to plants from contaminated soil. Residue levels varied with crop species and stage of plant development. In summer crops residues were higher in soybean> cowpeas>lab‐lab>Sorghum>millet>sweet saccaline at the grazing and mature stages.

Compared to glasshouse studies undertaken previously, residues in crops grown under field conditions were much lower, this apparently reflects the lower soil moisture levels and the reduced rates of translocation.

Heptachlor residues in winter crops were highest in Saia oats > Berseem clover > Haifa clover > Cassia oats > Tetila ryegrass > Schooner barley > Shaftal clover > Hunter river lucerne at the grazing stage. There were no detectable levels in barley and oats at the mature stage. No dieldrin residues were translocated into the various crop species.     

Oxidative Metabolism and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase in the Detoxification of Phosphamidon and Methylparathion in Prawn, Metapenaeus Monoceros

The changes in the soluble and insoluble protein contents, glucose and activity levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were studied in hepatopancreas, muscle and gill tissues of penaeid prawn, Metapenaeus monoceros, following its exposure to sublethal concentrations of phosphamidon and methylparathion, organophosphorus insecticides. Both soluble and insoluble protein fractions increased, whereas tissue glucose content decreased. Oxidative metabolism and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity levels was significantly elevated. the results obtained in the present study throws light on the enhanced protein synthetic potentiality and detoxification of insecticide molecules are the adoptive measures to counteract the insecticide toxicity.     

拟除虫菊酯类农药残留降解菌产气肠杆菌的分离、鉴定及降解特性研究

采用室内培养方法,从拟除虫菊酯类农药生产车间下水道驯化污泥中分离、筛选出1株可同时降解对联苯菊酯、甲氰菊酯和氯氰菊酯的高效菌株M6R9,经鉴定为产气肠杆菌(Enterobacter aerogenes),并对其生理特性进行研究.结果表明,该菌为革兰氏阴性好氧型杆菌,大小约为长(0.8~1.9)μm、宽(0.5~1.0)μm,能够以3种菊酯农药为碳源生长.在通气、pH 7.0、温度(25~30)℃、接菌量D415 nm=0.2、农药浓度100 mg.L-1和转速180 r.min-1的环境条件下,对含有联苯菊酯、甲氰菊酯和氯氰菊酯各100 mg.L-1的混合培养基培养3 d,发现该菌对3种菊酯降解效果最好,降解率分别为55.74%、55.11%和56.96%,且降解过程满足一级动力学方程模型,降解半衰期(t1/2)分别为65.4、70.7和68.6 h.3种菊酯农药降解率与接菌量、通气量和振荡速率呈正相关.     

固相萃取法提取净化生物检材中三类农药的实验研究

本文以常见的六种有机磷类、四种氨基甲酸脂类和五种拟种虫菊酯类农药为对象，研究了用国产ＧＤＸ－４０３或Ｃ１８固相小柱同时提取净化环境样品和生物检材中三种类型的农药，分别采用ＧＣ／ＦＰＤ，ＧＣ／ＮＰＤ和ＧＣ／ＥＣＤ三种特征性气相色谱法进行分析鉴定，为系统分析有机农药提供了一套快速、简便的固相提取方法。     

甲基对硫磷对三种拟除虫菊酯杀虫剂的光敏降解研究

本文以高压汞灯和自然阳光为光源，研究了甲基对硫磷对氧氰菊酯、溴氰菊酯和氰茂菊酯在玻片表面光致降解的影响。结果表明：甲基对硫磷与三种拟除虫菊酯农药混合照光处理后，可使拟除虫菊酯农药的光解速度加快。氯氰菊酯、氰戊菊酯和溴氰菊酯的光解半衰期，在高压汞灯下比其单独照光分别缩短１２．１８、８．４６和７．３３倍，在阳光下则分别缩短４．７３，２．６５，和４．４６倍。甲基对硫磷对三种拟除虫菊酯农药表现出显著的光敏