Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part B-pesticides Food Contaminants and Agricultural Wastes最新文献

This study investigates sustainable agricultural practices through the integration of multifunctional microorganisms and crop diversification in soybean cultivation. The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Arroz e Feijão, using a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial design with randomized blocks and four replications. The treatments involved the combination of four multifunctional microorganisms (Burkholderia sp. (BRM 32111), Serratia sp. (BRM 63523), Bacillus sp. (BRM 63524), and the control, without microorganisms), two phosphorus levels (50% and 100% of the recommended P₂O₅ dose), and two cropping systems (soybean/rice/common beans or soybean/corn/common beans). Soybeans were cultivated in the summer (November-January), rice or corn during the off-season (January-May), and common beans in winter (June-September). The results showed that the use of rhizobacteria BRM 32111 and BRM 63523 resulted in the highest soybean yields, offering the greatest economic returns among the treatments. Additionally, cultivating rice in the off-season, combined with the use of phosphorus-solubilizing rhizobacteria, demonstrated significant potential as a sustainable agricultural practice by reducing chemical fertilizer use and improving crop nutritional efficiency, promoting agroecological sustainability.

In this work, we fabricated the Fmoc-Pro-Phe-OMe modified carbon paste electrode (FPPO/MCPE) and used it for electrochemical detection of CP and FZ in a 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (pH = 7). We characterized the Fmoc-Pro-Phe-OMe and applied it for the electrochemical detection of CP and FZ. The Mass spectroscopy, ¹HNMR, and FTIR measurements confirm the Fmoc-Pro-Phe-OMe chemical structure. Studying electrochemical sensor characteristics, variation of scan rate parameters, and electrode surface area is crucial for understanding and optimizing the performance of modified and unmodified carbon paste electrodes. The FPPO/MCPE-modified carbon paste electrode has better sensing capabilities than the unmodified bare carbon paste electrode (BCPE). The FPPO/MCPE sensor has two linear ranges: 50-450 μM (CP) with a detection limit of 0.014 μM and 50-450 μM (FZ) with a detection limit of 0.015 μM. The FPPO/MCPE sensor is highly sensitive, measuring 4.25 µA/µM/cm² for CP and 4.1 µA/µM/cm² for FZ. Scan rate and concentration tests demonstrate that the oxidation of CP and FZ is a diffusion-controlled electrode process. The FPPO/MCPE sensor also demonstrates excellent repeatability, reproducibility, stability, and selectivity for detection of CP and FZ. The use of FPPO/MCPE-sensor is demonstrated for the detection of FZ and CP in milk and honey samples.

The objective of this study was to assess the performance of indaziflam under different soil cover materials in coffee cultivation, focusing on its agronomic efficacy, residual effects, and influence on the weed community. The studies were carried out at two farms: IPACER (sandy clay Oxisol - OXI_sc) and Glória (clay Oxisol - OXI_cl). Evaluation factors included the application of indaziflam (75 g a.i. ha^-1), different soil cover materials (crop debris, organic compost, and bare soil), and the evaluation period was from 30 to 180 d after application (DAA). The agronomic efficacy and residual effect were assessed by injury level, and the indaziflam's residual lifetime (RL₅₀) was estimated using a first-order model. Phytosociological parameters, including absolute and relative frequency, density, abundance, and the importance value index, were evaluated. The results indicated that agronomic efficacy remained above 90% until 120 DAA in all treatments with indaziflam application, with RL₅₀ exceeding 180 days. Weed indices were higher in areas without indaziflam, but treatment similarity analysis revealed that the weed community was primarily influenced by soil type, with a lesser impact from soil cover. Neither crop residues nor organic compost compromised indaziflam efficacy, indicating their suitability for coffee cultivation without the need to increase herbicide doses.

The khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium (Everts) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), is a highly destructive and quarantine-significant pest of numerous stored grain products. Despite increasing resistance, its management still heavily relies on chemical insecticides. Green nanoparticles (NPs) have recently been extensively studied as promising alternatives for pest control. In this study, ultra-small copper NPs (Cu NPs) (6.59 ± 0.57 nm) were synthesized using Origanum sp. extract. The insecticidal efficacy of Cu NPs was evaluated, and the 300 ppm concentration exhibited the highest mortality (93.3%) in T. granarium adults. The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were 203.3 ppm and 268.3 ppm, respectively, at 144 h. Due to their roles in detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neurotransmission, the genes Superoxide dismutase (TgSOD), Catalase (TgCAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (TgGPX), and Acetylcholinesterase (TgACHE) were identified in the cDNA library of T. granarium for gene expression analysis. Remarkable abundance of the four genes was detected at 200 ppm after 48 h, suggesting that their upregulation may be associated with oxidative stress induced by Cu NPs. It can be inferred that green-synthesized Cu NPs may have an insecticidal effect on T. granarium and can be considered an alternative pest management tool.

The efficacy of bacterial consortium in reducing glyphosate remains poorly explored. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the bacterial consortium in degrading or reducing glyphosate under laboratory and field conditions. In vitro tests were conducted to assess the consortium's degrading capacity, and glyphosate residues in maize grains were quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) following the commercial organic amendment (COA) application. The results showed a significant decrease in glyphosate concentration treated with the microbial consortium, indicating its potential to degrade or transform the herbicide into secondary metabolites. In contrast, glyphosate remained stable over the same period, confirming the role of microbial activity in herbicide breakdown. Field experiments demonstrated that the bacterial consortium COA application markedly reduced glyphosate residues in maize grains, confirming its efficacy under agronomic conditions. These findings highlight the potential of bacterial consortium as a bioremediation tool to minimize glyphosate accumulation in agricultural systems and enhance food safety through sustainable management practices.

Toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic protozoan that causes toxoplasmosis, is estimated to infect a significant percentage of the world's population. One of the main routes is through consumption of contaminated water, soil, or food containing oocysts. Large scale outbreaks through water contamination were reported across various regions. However, in the Philippines, there is still no data on the occurrence of T. gondii oocysts in environmental matrices. In this study, T. gondii oocysts DNA were detected in irrigation waters and agricultural soils from selected sites in Central Luzon, Philippines, and the genetic diversity of the detected parasite was examined. Using nested PCR amplifying the RE gene, the prevalence of T. gondii oocyst DNA in irrigation water (n = 40) and agricultural soil (n = 40) was at 35 and 25%, respectively. One isolate (W11) was genotyped and showed a mixed genotype (Type I/TypeIII) suggesting recombination or diverse strain exposure. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering with CTG strain (GenBank accession no. PX505257), a Type III non-virulent genotype to mice, but associated to cause ocular toxoplasmosis in humans and toxoplasmic encephalitis in immunocompromised patients. Our findings suggest that T. gondii movement in environmental matrices can possibly facilitate transmission of infection and therefore poses a threat to human and animal health.

Pollinators, particularly honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758) (Hymenoptera: Apidae), play a vital role in fruit crop production, yet their populations are increasingly threatened by pesticide exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the potential toxicological effects of commonly used pesticides in Algerian fruit orchards on honey bees through in silico predictive approaches. Eight active substances were selected based on their frequent application, and toxicity was predicted using tools such as Protox III, focusing on endpoints including neurotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, ecotoxicity, and detoxification pathway activation. Molecular docking analyses revealed variable binding affinities between pesticides and key bee proteins, highlighting strong interactions of insecticides such as azoxystrobin, abamectin, and lambda-cyhalothrin with neurotoxic targets like the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Additionally, fungicides including fludioxonil and difenoconazole exhibited high affinities for detoxification-related enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase, suggesting potential interference with cellular defense mechanisms. These multi-target interactions indicate complex modes of toxic action that may amplify sublethal effects on bee health. The findings underscore the urgent need to integrate pollinator safety considerations into pest management strategies to preserve bee populations and ensure sustainable fruit production.

In the present work, Co₃O₄ nanoparticles (Co₃O₄ NPs) were prepared by calcination of a hydrothermally synthesized Co-MOF precursor. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results confirmed the formation of Co₃O₄ NPs with well-defined cubic spinel oxide (Fd-3m phase) with an average crystallite size of ∼22 nm, while Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectra supported the presence of Co-O bonding through prominent vibrational modes at 562 and 663 cm^-1. The SEM images demonstrated that the Co₃O₄ NPs possess porous flower-like morphology, and EDAX confirmed the existence of cobalt and oxygen atoms. The PL analysis reveals prominent defect-related emissions in Co₃O₄ nanoparticles, confirming abundant defect states that can enhance their photocatalytic activity. The vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) analysis demonstrated antiferromagnetic behavior, which was consistent with nanoscale Co₃O₄ NPs. The prepared Co₃O₄ NPs displayed superior photocatalytic activity toward the degradation of emerging wastewater pollutants. The experimental results demonstrated that about 96% degradation of herbal cigarette detritus in 160 min, and almost complete degradation of industrial dyes, namely Janus Green B, Methyl Violet 2B, and Congo Red in 30, 60, and 40 min, respectively, under UV-light irradiation.

A novel thiourea-linked benzothiazole derivative TH1 was synthesized and systematically characterized for its dual-functional application in sensing and antimicrobial activity. The compound exhibited excellent selectivity and sensitivity toward Hg²⁺ ions, with a clear fluorescence quenching ("turn-off") response upon binding due to formation of TH1-Hg(II) complex. The probe demonstrated a remarkably low detection limit of 0.019 ppm, making it suitable for trace-level mercury detection. Interference studies confirmed its high selectivity, and practical applicability was validated by testing blood serum and various real water samples including river, pond, lake, river and drinking water as well as soil sample with percent recovery rates ranging from 89.0 ± 0.54% to 102.0 ± 0.74%, confirming its reliability and accuracy in complex environmental matrices. Beyond its sensing capabilities, the benzothiazole-thiourea TH1 and complex TH1-Hg(II) also showed promising broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Both ligand and its complex effectively inhibited the growth of bacterial and fungal strains, producing well-defined zones of inhibition. This dual-functionality, highly sensitive Hg²⁺ detection and notable antibacterial performance, positions the TH1 as a strong candidate for multifunctional applications in environmental monitoring and biomedical fields.

Agriculture represents a cornerstone of the Algerian economy. To sustain agricultural production, fungicides, including the Bordeaux mixture, a copper (Cu)-based fungicide, are used extensively. The amounts applied, along with the frequency of their use in the absence of adequate regulatory oversight, raise significant concerns. Bou-Ismaïl Bay receives this compound through runoff and urban discharge. Cu is essential at low doses; however, at higher levels, it can cause serious toxicity. Here, 120 sardines were sampled from Bou-Ismaïl Bay in February and May 2023. Cu concentrations in the tissues were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analyses were conducted using R version 4.3.2. The results revealed a significant difference between the tissues. Concentrations ranged from 0.581 to 9.032 µg/g in the gills and from 0.378 to 1.543 µg/g in the muscle. The maximum Cu concentrations in the gills in February and May indicate chronic contamination of the marine environment. The Cu content in sardines was closely linked to the extent of agricultural land using the Bordeaux mixture. The absence of international maximum permissible levels of Cu specifically for sardines increases the potential risk of consumer overexposure. This regulatory gap, combined with the limited research on Cu's effects in coastal populations, represents a significant concern.