Pesticide residues in artichokes: Effect of different head shape

Abstract

Residues of three pesticides (dimethoate, parathion, and pyrazophos) in two artichoke cultivars, Masedu and Spinoso sardo, were investigated. The amount of pesticides in artichokes was greatly affected by the head shape. In the case of the calix‐shaped Masedu artichoke, the residues in whole heads at commercial ripening were on average about twice higher than those of the pagoda‐shaped Spinoso sardo artichoke. In the heart this ratio was 4 to 42 times greater. Residue decay rates were very fast, mainly owing to the dilution effect due to head growth.     

Bioavailability to rats and toxicity in mice of carbofuran residues bound to faba beans.

14C-carbofuran penetrated readily into seeds of Vicia faba and the rate of penetration was found to be dose dependent. The percentage of bound residues was generally low and did not exceed 3% of the applied dose. When the bound residues were fed to rats 46% of the radioactivity was eliminated via CO2 and urine, while tissues contained 25%. Carbofuran phenol and 3-hydroxy carbofuran represented the main metabolites in the urine. These data indicate that bean-bound carbofuran residues are highly bioavailable to rats. Feeding mice with bound carbofuran residues for 90 days led to inhibition of erythrocyte cholinesterase activity after 30 days (35-40%) while the plasma enzyme remained unaffected. Serum transaminases and blood urea nitrogen were significantly elevated, indicating injury to hepatic and renal structures. The results strongly suggest that the bound residues can induce adverse biological effects in mice.     

Bioavailability to rats and toxicological potential in mice of bound residues of malathion in beans.

Under conditions of local practice, the application of 2,3-succinate-14C-malathion on beans led to the formation of 17-18% of bound 14C-residues after 30 weeks. When fed to rats, 75% of these residues became bioavailable after 2 days with the major part, excreted via expired air (8%) and urine (60%). The main radioactive metabolites detected in urine were malathion monocarboxylic acid and malathion dicarboxylic acid. Feeding of bound residues to mice (1.8 ppm in feed) for 90 days resulted in a reduction in body weight gain after 60 days and inhibition of erythrocyte cholinesterase activity after 90 days. Increased levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase were also observed. The results strongly suggest that bean-bound malathion residues can cause adverse biological effects in mice.     

Disappearance of dimethoate,methamidophos and pirimicarb in lettuce

Abstract

Foliar sprays of dimethoate at 150 or 300 g a.i./ha, methamidophos at 450 or 900 g a.i./ha and pirimicarb at 140 or 280 g a.i./ha were applied for control of the green peach aphid, Myzus pericae (Sulzer), and the lettuce aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley), about 2 weeks before the lettuce started heading, and again about 1 week from harvest. In lettuce, dimethoate partially oxidized to its oxon and pirimicarb converted to its methylamino‐ and/or formyl methylamino‐analogues. Most residues were present in the outer leaves which were exposed directly to the sprays; only traces of residues were detected in samples of the inner head leaves. Total residues disappeared rapidly. Pirimicarb was the least persistent and only traces of residues (<0.01 ppm) were detected in marketable heads. Concentrations of dimethoate, including the oxon and of methamidophos were well below their respective tolerances of 2 and 1 ppra respectively.     

Behaviour of forchlorfenuron residues in grape,soil and water

Persistence of forchlorfenuron residues in grape berries at harvest following its dip application as single or split doses to grape berry clusters and periodic dissipation of forchlorfenuron residues in grape berries following foliar spray application were studied. Periodic dissipation of forchlorfenuron residues following its fortification in soil and water were also studied. Splitting the dip application concentration of forchlorfenuron to grape berries reduced its residues in the berries at harvest, which persisted for more than 65 days from all treatments. In case of foliar application, however, the residues of forchlorfenuron in/on the grape berries persisted for 15-20 days only from three treatment concentrations of 2, 3 and 4 ml/l and dissipated with half-lives of 3.4-4.5 days. The residues of forchlorfenuron dissipated faster in soils maintained at field capacity moisture condition than in air dry soils. There was wide variation in its residue persistence in soil (DT50 = 15.1-121.3 days) depending on soil type and moisture condition. Forchlorfenuron residues persisted for more than 30 days in water and its dissipation was fastest at a water salinity level of 3.85 mmho/ cm although the rate of dissipation was not significantly affected by the change in salinity level from <0.04 to 5.90 mmho/cm.     

Dieldrin, heptachlor, and chlordane residues in soybeans in Illinois 1974, 1980

The Illinois soybean crop was monitored in 1974 and 1980 for dieldrin, heptachlor, and chlordane residues resulting from the use of these compounds for corn soil insect control in the years before extensive soybean cultivation. Residue levels were compared with past published amounts. Dieldrin residue levels in soybeans declined between 1974 and 1980. Heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide levels remained level between 1974 and 1980. Chlorinated hydrocarbon residues were lower in the southern third of Illinois than for the remainder of the state.     

Concentration and dissipation of chlorantraniliprole and thiamethoxam residues in maize straw,maize, and soil

To study the dissipation rates and final residual levels of chlorantraniliprole and thiamethoxam in maize straw, maize, and soil, two independent field trials were conducted during the 2014 cropping season in Beijing and Anhui Provinces of China. A 40% wettable powder (20% chlorantraniliprole?+?20% thiamethoxam) was sprayed onto maize straw and soil at an application rate of 118 g of active ingredient per hectare (g a.i.ha^?1). The residual concentrations were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The chlorantraniliprole half-lives in maize straw and soil were 9.0–10.8 and 9.5–21.7 days, respectively. The thiamethoxam half-lives in maize straw and soil were 8.4–9.8 and 4.3–11.7 days, respectively. The final residues of chlorantraniliprole and thiamethoxam in maize straw, maize, and soil were measured after the pesticides had been sprayed two and three times with an interval of 7 days using 1 and 1.5 times the recommended rate (72 g a.i. ha^?1 and 108 g a.i. ha^?1, respectively). Representative maize straw, maize, and soil samples were collected after the last treatment at pre-harvest intervals of 7, 14, and 28 days. The chlorantraniliprole residue was below 0.01 mg kg^?1 in maize, between 0.01 and 0.31 mg kg^?1 in maize straw, and between 0.03 and 1.91 mg kg^?1 in soil. The thiamethoxam residue concentrations in maize, maize straw, and soil were <0.01, <0.01, and 0.01–0.03 mg kg^?1, respectively. The final pesticide residues on maize were lower than the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.02 mg kg^?1 after a 14-day pre-harvest interval. Therefore, a dosage of 72 g a.i. ha^?1 was recommended, as it can be considered safe to human beings and animals.     

Determination of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in fruits,vegetables and sediments

Abstract

A method is described for the determination of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in fruits, vegetables and sediments. The concentrated solvent extract was sealed in a polymeric membrane tube, dialysed in cyclohexane and the solvent replaced with hexane. The organophosphates were analysed on a specific thermionic detector without further clean‐up. For the organochlorine pesticides the extract was eluted through 3 g of alumina and analysed on GC/ECD. The clean‐up for sediment extract was carried out on a10 g alumina column with 100 mL hexane containing 5% acetone and the eluate was concentrated to 5 mL.

The detection limit for organophosphates on a 40 g sample and a final volume of 10 mL was on the average 0.01 mg/kg. The detection limit for organochlorine pesticides, with the final volume of 25 mL, was 0.005 mg/kg for all pesticides except for p,p'‐DDT and endosulfan sulphate, which was 0.01 mg/kg.

The detection limit for oganochlorine pesticides in sediment, with the final volume of 2 mL, was less than 1 μg/kg and for organophosphate pesticides less than 10 μg/kg when the final volume was made to 0.5 mL. At the detection limits the method produced a very high coefficient of variation for both organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides.     

Organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues in the Atoya river basin, Chinandega, Nicaragua

The hydrographic basin of the Atoya river, located in the Department of Chinandega, one of the main cotton producing regions in Nicaragua, is intensively contaminated by pesticides. Samples of river waters and sediments, as well as strategically selected wells have been analyzed to study variations in the concentrations of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticide residues between the dry season (November-April) and the rainy season (May-June). Generally, higher concentrations of pesticides have been detected in the river waters and sediments in the dry season. DDT, DDD, DDE compounds and toxaphene are the most frequent organochlorine residues found in the water and sediment samples, while endrin, aldrin, dieldrin and lindane are mainly found in the waters of rivers and wells. Organophosphorus compounds were rarely detected. However, residues of ethion, methyl-parathion and ethyl-parathion were found in high concentrations in some river and well water samples. Generally, organochlorine compounds tend to accumulate in the fine grain-size fractions, rich in organic matter, except DDE, which concentrates basically in the coarse grain-size fractions.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl residues in sandstorm depositions in Beijing, China

Sandstorms, which distribute many particles, are a special atmospheric occurrence and are frequent in northern China. We conducted this study to determine, for the first time, the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sandstorm depositions. We collected 13 samples from urban areas of Beijing, and we measured a total of 144 PCB congeners. Thirteen samples all contained PCB residues. The total PCB concentration ranged from 1.6 to 15.6ngg(-1) (median, 4.8ngg(-1), dry weight), with trichlorinated biphenyls as the predominant homologue (>50.4%). Furthermore, we observed increasing PCB contamination from northwest to east Beijing. We later explored possible factors affecting contamination of the sandstorm depositions, which revealed a significant correlation between SigmaPCBs and the minimum particle size of the sandstorm deposition samples. Principal-component analysis revealed that the major source of PCBs in Beijing may be potentially associated with the number-one commercial PCB through the long-range transmission. In previous results, PCBs were not a severe component of contamination in sandstorm depositions of Beijing. However, this study suggested that sandstorm deposition may be a potential source of exposure to PCBs for the residents of Beijing, China.     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in human milk in Punjab, India

Human milk samples collected from areas having intensive cotton cultivation and sparse cotton cultivation in Punjab (India) were analysed for organochlorine insecticides. Both DDT and HCH were detected in almost all the samples analysed. The average levels of Sigma-DDT and Sigma-HCH residues in samples from cotton-growing areas were significantly higher than in those from areas where cotton is sparsely grown. Residues of Sigma-DDT mainly comprised p,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE, while those of Sigma-HCH residues were mainly in the form of its beta-isomer. Median values of 0.52 microg g(-1) of Sigma-DDT and 0.19 microg g(-1) of Sigma-HCH in samples of human milk from cotton-growing areas of Punjab (India) were higher than those reported from most other countries in the World.     

Carbofuran residues in organic soils in Southwestern Ontario, 1977

Organic soils from 22 farms with a history of carbofuran use for soil insect control were sampled in November, 1977. Analysis for carbofuran was by electron capture gas chromatography of the heptaflurobutyric derivative. Nineteen of the 22 soils contained detectable (sensitivity 0.02 ppm) carbofuran residues. However only 8 of the soils contained greater than 0.5 ppm total carbofuran. The highest total carbofuran residue was 1.5 ppm, of which 0.31 ppm was 3-ketocarbofuran. In other soil samples 3-ketocarbofuran comprised 7-50% of the total carbofuran residue. No 3-hydroxycarbofuran was detected. The order of persistence of granular application of 3 insecticides as seed-furrow treatments was ethion greater than fonofos greater than carbofuran.     

Geostatistical analysis and kriging of Hexachlorocyclohexane residues in topsoil from Tianjin, China

A previously published data set of HCH isomer concentrations in topsoil samples from Tianjin, China, was subjected to geospatial analysis. Semivariograms were calculated and modeled using geostatistical techniques. Parameters of semivariogram models were analyzed and compared for four HCH isomers. Two-dimensional ordinary block kriging was applied to HCH isomers data set for mapping purposes. Dot maps and gray-scaled raster maps of HCH concentrations were presented based on kriging results. The appropriateness of the kriging procedure for mapping purposes was evaluated based on the kriging errors and kriging variances. It was found that ordinary block kriging can be applied to interpolate HCH concentrations in Tianjin topsoil with acceptable accuracy for mapping purposes.     

Phthalate esters,PCB and DDT residues in the gulf of mexico atmosphere

Phthalate ester plasticizers, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBF), were measured in the atmosphere of the Gulf of Mexico. Significant amounts of the phthalate esters were found both in the vapor phase and associated with particulate matter. PCB and DDT residues measured on the same samples were found primarily in the vapor phase. The levels of the phthalate esters and chlorinated compounds are one to two orders of magnitude lower than those reported for continental and urban air.     

Organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in foodstuffs from Bangkok, Thailand

Raw foodstuffs collected from Bangkok, Thailand, were analysed for the presence of PCBs, DDTs, HCHs (BHCs). HCB, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide. Residues of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides were detected in all the samples analysed. Concentrations of PCBs did not reach the tolerance limit set forth by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The concentrations of SigmaHCH were higher than those of SigmaDDT in all the farm products while the levels of SigmaDDT were greater in fishes including fish flakes and fishmeal. Meat samples recorded higher concentrations of SigmaDDT and dieldrin than SigmaHCH. Comparing the levels of organochlorines in foodstuffs from Bangkok, considerable levels of aldrin and dieldrin indicate the need for concern from the food safety point of view because of their much higher toxicity than DDT and other organochlorines. However, the levels did not exceed the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) recommended by FAO/WHO. Food contamination by HCB, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide is comparatively lower.     

Determination of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in fruits, vegetables and sediments.

A method is described for the determination of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in fruits, vegetables and sediments. The concentrated solvent extract was sealed in a polymeric membrane tube, dialysed in cyclohexane and the solvent replaced with hexane. The organophosphates were analysed on a specific thermionic detector without further clean-up. For the organochlorine pesticides the extract was eluted through 3 g of alumina and analysed on GC/ECD. The clean-up for sediment extract was carried out on a 10 g alumina column with 100 mL hexane containing 5% acetone and the eluate was concentrated to 5 mL. The detection limit for organophosphates on a 40 g sample and a final volume of 10 mL was on the average 0.01 mg/kg. The detection limit for organochlorine pesticides, with the final volume of 25 mL, was 0.005 mg/kg for all pesticides except for p,p'-DDT and endosulfan sulphate, which was 0.01 mg/kg. The detection limit for organochlorine pesticides in sediment, with the final volume of 2 mL, was less than 1 microgram/kg and for organophosphate pesticides less than 10 micrograms/kg when the final volume was made to 0.5 mL. At the detection limits the method produced a very high coefficient of variation for both organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides.     

Occurrence, distribution, and seasonal variation of estrogenic compounds and antibiotic residues in Jiulongjiang River, South China

Background and purpose

Estrogenic compounds and antibiotic residues in environment are receiving significant attention because of their potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. The objectives of this study were to determine the occurrence and seasonal variability of eight kinds of estrogenic compounds and 14 antibiotics. The study developed an occurrence database of the estrogenic compounds and antibiotics in spatial and temporal scale in Jiulongjiang River, South China, to provide useful information for environmental management of this region.

Methods

Eight estrogenic compounds and 14 antibiotic compounds were detected in Jiulongjiang River from 19 sampling sites during high-flow and low-flow season in surface water. The samples were preconcentrated by solid-phase extraction for analysis. Eight estrogenic compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Agilent 7890A-5975C), and antibiotics were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC?CMS/MS) system (ABI 3200 Q TRAP).

Results

All target compounds could be detected, except 17??-ethynylestradiol, sulfamerazine, and ofloxacin. The median concentrations for seven estrogenic compounds ranged from 6.00 to 610.72?ng/L, with the detection frequency range of 16.00?C100%. However, the detection frequencies of 13 antibiotics detected varied from 50% to 100%, with the median concentrations ranged from 0.89 to 117.97?ng/L. Seasonal variations were obvious for most estrogenic compounds in Jiulongjiang River, except for octylphenol and estriol. There were significant (P?Conclusion The Jiulongjiang River water was more seriously contaminated by diethylstilbestrol, estrone, sulfamethazine, and tetracyclines. Higher overall concentration levels of estrogenic compounds and antibiotics were detected in low-flow water than those in high-flow water. The pollution of estrogenic compounds and antibiotics in Jiulongjiang River mainly came from municipal sewage and livestock breeding activities.     

Bioavailability, biological activity and characterization of bound residues of diflubenzuron in wheat.

Wheat grain was treated with radiolabeled diflubenzuron at 100 ppm and stored for various periods; up to 6 months. The grain was surface washed, Soxhlet-extracted with methanol, and the residues determined. A relative constant amount of bound residues (4%), i.e., non-extractable radioactivity, was found 4 months after application and remained constant. More than 97% of the extractable radioactivity in the grain after 6 months was identified as diflubenzuron. When the bound residues were fed to rats, 47% of the administered dose was eliminated via the urine and the remainder via feces within 96 h. Diflubenzuron was the major component in the urine. Adding bound residues to housefly media resulted in a dose-dependent mortality of housefly pupae. Bound residues were biologically active, preventing the emergence of adult houseflies. Supercritical fluid extraction of the bound residues extracted 92% and 96% of the radioactivity associated with grain and feces, respectively. Only diflubenzuron was present in these extracts. The bioavailability and biological activity of bound residues of diflubenzuron have been demonstrated and the identity of the radioactivity was shown to be parent compound. Based on these findings, bound pesticide residues can no longer be ignored or overlooked in the evaluation of pesticide residues and their possible toxicological implications.     

Persistent organochlorine pesticide residues in fish, sediments and water from Lake Bosomtwi, Ghana

Some organochlorine pesticide residues in tilapia fish (Tilapiazilli), sediment and water samples from Lake Bosomtwi (the largest natural lake in Ghana) were determined to find out the extent of pesticide contamination and accumulation in the lake. The extracted residues were analyzed on a micro-capillary gas chromatograph equipped with electron capture detector. DDE (p,p'-1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene) was the predominant residue in all the samples analyzed; detected in 82% of water samples, 98% of sediment samples and 58% of fish samples at concentrations of 0.061+/-0.03 ng g(-1), 8.342+/-2.96 ng g(-1) and 5.232+/-1.30 ng g(-1), respectively. DDT (p,p'-1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethane) was detected in 78% at a mean concentration 0.012+/-0.62 ng g(-1) of water samples analyzed. The mean concentrations of DDT in sediments and fish were 4.41+/-1.54 ng g(-1) and 3.645+/-1.81 ng g(-1), respectively. The detection of lower levels of DDT than its metabolite, DDE, in the samples implies that the presence of these contaminants in the lake is as result of past usage of the pesticides.     

Herbicide residues in grapes and wine

The persistence of several common herbicides from grapes to wine has been studied. Shiraz, Tarrango and Doradillo grapes were separately sprayed with either norflurazon, oxyfluorfen, oxadiazon or trifluralin-persistent herbicides commonly used for weed control in vineyards. The dissipation of the herbicides from the grapes was followed for 28 days following treatment. Results showed that norflurazon was the most persist herbicide although there were detectable residues of all the herbicides on both red and white grapes at the end of the study period. The penetration of herbicides into the flesh of the grapes was found to be significantly greater for white grapes than for red grapes. Small-lot winemaking experiments showed that norflurazon persisted at levels close to the initial concentration through vinification and into the finished wine. The other herbicides degraded, essentially via first-order kinetics, within the period of "first fermentation" and had largely disappeared after 28 days. The use of charcoal together with filter pads, or with diatomaceous earth was shown to be very effective in removing herbicide residues from the wine. A 5% charcoal filter removed more than 96% of the norflurazon persisting in the treated wine.