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

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.

This study examines the individual and combined effects of mesosulfuron methyl and iodosulfuron methyl on herbicide degradation, leaching, and soil enzymatic and microbial activities. Results showed that the combination of both herbicides enhanced their dissipation and increased their vertical mobility in the soil. Mesosulfuron methyl was more persistent in the soil compared to iodosulfuron methyl. When applied together, the herbicides reached higher concentrations at lower soil depths and in leachates than when applied individually. Mesosulfuron methyl caused the greatest suppression of microbial and enzymatic activities (75.68-92.35% up to 90 days), followed by iodosulfuron methyl (66.7-72.99% up to 45 days). The combined application resulted in the least inhibition (45.77-56.45% up to 21 days). After the initial suppression, microbial and enzymatic activities gradually recovered as the toxic effects of the herbicides diminished. Integrated Biomarker Response (IBRv2) values indicated that mesosulfuron methyl had a stronger impact on soil activities compared to iodosulfuron methyl. However, the combination of both herbicides exhibited an antagonistic effect, suggesting that their combined use could reduce the adverse effects on soil health. The study highlights further investigation into the long-term impacts of herbicide combinations and the development of sustainable guidelines for their agricultural use.

This study focusses on isolation of myo inositol crystals from rice bran (Oryza sativa. indica, Indian variety) an agricultural by-product, using an acid hydrolysis process optimized through response surface methodology (RSM). The obtained crystals were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). XRD analysis revealed a well-defined crystalline structure with a dominant diffraction peak at 31.74°, indicating high crystallinity. FTIR spectra verified the presence of characteristic hydroxyl and C-O functional groups of myo inositol. HPLC analysis demonstrated approximately 80% purity. The ¹H-NMR spectroscopy was employed to analyze the structural identity of the isolated myo inositol crystals. The spectrum exhibited the characteristic four signal groups with relative intensities of 1:2:2:1, consistent with the molecular symmetry of myo inositol (C₆H₁₂O₆). Proton assignments based on chemical shifts and coupling patterns (H2-H4-H6-H1-H3-H5) corresponded closely with previously reported spectra, confirming successful isolation of structurally pure myo inositol. This study presents a simple and efficient method for recovering myo inositol from Oryza sativa. indica bran, offering a sustainable approach to valorize agro-industrial waste for potential nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.