Incorporation of pesticides by soil micro-organisms as a way of bound residues formation

We studied the ¹⁴C-tagged biochemical compartments such as proteins, lipids and polysaccharides from bacterial and fungal cultures supplied with ¹⁴C-pesticides and ¹⁴C-glucose. We showed that ¹⁴C incorporation depends both on the substrate structure and on the nature of the micro-organism. Both bacterial and fungal cells incorporated glucose ¹⁴C mainly into cell wall proteins. By contrast, glyphosate ¹⁴C was mainly incorporated into cytoplasm carbohydrates by fungi. On the other hand, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid ¹⁴C was mainly found in the carbohydrate fractions of the bacteria walls.     

Screening pesticides for their ability to damage bacterial DNA

Abstract

Twenty‐six pesticides and pesticide degradation products were screened (125 μg ‐ 2000 μg) for their ability to induce unrepairable damage to bacterial DNA. Three repair test systems were utilized in this study, the Salmonella typhimurium (TA1538/TA1978), the E. coli K‐12 (Pol A₁ ⁺/Pol^‐ ₁) and the E. coli WP₂ (WP₂, WP₂ uvrA, WP67, CM611 and CM571). Aldicarb (1000 μg), benomyl (250 μg), 2‐aminobenzimidazole (2000 μg), captan (125 μg), fenazalor (500 μg), 5,6‐dichloro‐2‐trifluoromethylbenzimida‐zole (NC‐2983) (250 μg), isothymol (250 μg), maleic hydrazide(1000 μg), pentachloronitrobenzene (1000 μg) were DNA‐damaglng to one or more bacterial test systems. Isothymol and NC‐2983 affected all three test systems. Chlorinated hydrocarbon insec ticides, some being recognized as carcinogens, did not: produce a zone of inhibition in any of the tester strains possibly due to their poor solubility and diffusion in the agar overlay. It was concluded that these tests can be performed along with bacterial reversion tests to complement each other as short‐term screening tests for potential carcinogens and mutagens.     

Influence of Suspended Clay Minerals and Humic Matter on the Solid Phase Extraction Efficiency of Selected Pesticides from Water

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the influence of humic acids (HA) and Ca-montmorillonite (CaM) on the solid-phase extraction (SPE) efficiency of atrazine, alachlor and α-cypermethrin from water samples at various pH-values. The nature and intensity of binding of the studied pesticides to CaM were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and termogravimetric analysis (TGA) test. The studied pesticides eluted from discs were analysed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The effects of CaM and humic acid were generally pH-dependent and acted independently in extraction efficiency influence. Lower recovery of pesticides was observed at higher pH values when CaM was ≥0.1 g and was attributed to greater dispersion of clay, increased surface area and subsequent adsorption. Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in humic acid had less effect on the extraction efficiency when water was at pH 8 compared to water at pH 2, which was probably due to greater nonpolar interactions of the pesticides to the charge-neutralized humic acid molecule.     

Application of Automated Mass Spectrometry Deconvolution and Identification Software for Pesticide Analysis in Surface Waters

A new approach to surface water analysis has been investigated in order to enhance the detection of different organic contaminants in Nathan Creek, British Columbia. Water samples from Nathan Creek were prepared by liquid/liquid extraction using dichloromethane (DCM) as an extraction solvent and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry method in scan mode (GC-MS scan). To increase sensitivity for pesticides detection, acquired scan data were further analyzed by Automated Mass Spectrometry Deconvolution and Identification Software (AMDIS) incorporated into the Agilent Deconvolution Reporting Software (DRS), which also includes mass spectral libraries for 567 pesticides. Extracts were reanalyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry single ion monitoring (GC-MS-SIM) to confirm and quantitate detected pesticides. Pesticides: atrazine, dimethoate, diazinone, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, napropamide, oxadiazon, propazine and simazine were detected at three sampling sites on the mainstream of the Nathan Creek. Results of the study are further discussed in terms of detectivity and identification level for each pesticide found. The proposed approach of monitoring pesticides in surface waters enables their detection and identification at trace levels.     

Paper electrophoretic separations of some common pesticides : Determination of monocrotophos,rogor and malathion in soil samples

Abstract

Paper electrophoretic movements of a number of pesticides belonging to organophosphorus, organochlorine and pyethroid groups in various acid background electrolytes have been studied. The effect of pH and pKa of the acids on the movement of these pesticides have also been studied. It has been observed that the movement of most of the pesticides is enhanced with increase in the degree of ionisation of the acids (pKa) studied as background electrolytes. The movement also increases with increase in the pH of acids. On the basis of differential movement of pesticides towards cathode and anode, a number of separations have been achieved from binary mixtures. Monocrotophos, rogor and malathion have been determined quantitatively (28.6 ‐ 29.2 μg) in alcoholic extracts of soil samples.     

Application of chemometric analysis based on physicochemical and chromatographic data for the differentiation origin of plant protection products containing chlorpyrifos

The aim of this study was to investigate the similarities and dissimilarities between the pesticide samples in form of emulsifiable concentrates (EC) formulation containing chlorpyrifos as active ingredient coming from different sources (i.e., shops and wholesales) and also belonging to various series. The results obtained by the Headspace Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry method and also some selected physicochemical properties of examined pesticides including pH, density, stability, active ingredient and water content in pesticides tested were compared using two chemometric methods. Applicability of simple cluster analysis and also principal component analysis of obtained data in differentiation of examined plant protection products coming from different sources was confirmed. It would be advantageous in the routine control of originality and also in the detection of counterfeit pesticides, respectively, among commercially available pesticides containing chlorpyrifos as an active ingredient.     

Factors limiting injury from pesticides

Abstract

Factors are discussed that may limit injury from pesticides whether the victims are exposed occupationally, through other intentional uses, or simply accidently. Emphasis is placed on choice of methods fitted to the problems revealed by dependable vital statistics for each country. In general, good labeling of pesticides is the most important single factor in their safe use. Regulation of use combining agricultural advice to the farmer with surveillance of his practices in the handling of pesticides often is the best way to minimize occupational poisoning and restrict residues on crops brought to market. To be successful, these and other aspects of education must be directed toward the improvement of human health. International organizations may be the best source of practical solutions simply because of the range of their experience.     

Liver alterations in Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces) induced by insecticide imidacloprid: Histopathology and heat shock protein in situ localization

Liver is very sensitive to environmental contaminants such as pesticides, it being the first target of toxicity of a substance. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible effects of the insecticide imidacloprid (IMI) on the liver of Oreochromis niloticus according concentrations used for growing sugarcane. A semi-quantitative analysis of histopathological alterations of IMI on liver was performed by light microscopy and cellular labeling of heat shock proteins (HSP70) by immunohistochemistry. The most common changes in liver at all concentrations of IMI were hydropic degeneration, pyknotic nuclei, and loss of cell limits. Steatosis and increased levels of HSP70 were detected in hepatocytes with the highest concentration of IMI. In conclusion, the tested concentrations of IMI induced histopathological changes in the liver of O. niloticus and active defence mechanisms to maintain the morphophysiological integrity of the liver. This insecticide has a toxicity potential for these fish, which is a non-target organism of its action.     

Human health effects of selected pesticides,chloroaniline derivatives.

Abstract

The health effects of two pesticides, chlordimeform and propanil, are discussed. Chlordimeform and 2‐methyl‐4‐chloroaniline, a major metabolite of chlordimeform, cause severe hemorrhagic cystitis in humans. In cats, however, only a mild effect on the bladder was noted. The herbicide propanil has produced chloracne in humans, and along with 3,4‐dichloroaniline, hyperkeratosis in rabbits. The contaminants 3,4,3’,4'‐tetrachloroazobenzene and 3,4,3’,4'‐tetrachloroazoxybenzene are responsible for the chloracnegenic characteristics of propanil, 3,4‐dichloroaniline, and methazole.     

The mechanism of different cyanobacterial responses to glyphosate

Glyphosate, the most extensively used herbicide globally, has raised ecotoxicological concerns because it can be transported into the aquatic environment and cause adverse effects on the aquatic system. However, the functional mechanism of glyphosate on cyanobacteria are not completely disentangled. In this study, we selected six common cyanobacteria to evaluate glyphosate effects on cyanobacterial growth in monoculture experiment. Results showed that the growth of five tested cyanobacterial species were promoted under different degrees, and only Pseudanabaena was inhibited by glyphosate. In the phylogenetic tree based on gene sequences of 5-enol-pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), a target for glyphosate, we found that the position of Pseudanabaena is the closest to plant, which was sensitive to glyphosate, thereby explaining the inhibitory effect of Pseudanabaena following glyphosate exposure. The primary degraded metabolites or analogs did not induce cyanobacterial growth, laterally demonstrating that glyphosate was used as a source of phosphorus to accelerate cyanobacterial growth because phosphorus levels increased in the medium of glyphosate treatment. Overall, this study provides a better understanding of the influence of glyphosate on the composition of aquatic microbiota and explains the mechanism of cyanobacterial response to glyphosate.