Carbamate Insecticide Residues Research Articles

Optimization of an analytical method for carbaryl and chlorpyrifos residues determination by LC-MS/MS

The present study was aimed to optimize an analytical method for the quantification of carbamate and organophosphorus insecticide residues using Liquid Chromatography tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A series of experiments were conducted to select the parent ion and precusor ion and based on these findings, the analytical method for the determination of carbamate and organophosphorus insecticide residues using LC-MS/MS was developed. The electrospray ionization (ESI) mode was used to develop the method. The linearity of the developed analytical method was very good and it was 0.999 for carbaryl, while it was 0.998 for chlorpyrifos. The optimization of MS/MS parameters has been done properly for both of the selected pesticides through direct infusion of 100 ug/L pure analytical standard solutions. Asian Australas. J. Biosci. Biotechnol. 2022, 7 (3), 107-113

Determination of organophosphorus and carbamate insecticide residues in food and water samples by solid phase extraction coupled with capillary liquid chromatography

A method was established for the simultaneous separation and determination of one organophosphorus and three carbamate insecticide residues in food and water samples by solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by analysis using a home-made capillary liquid chromatogram. Various parameters possibly affecting the efficiencies of capillary liquid chromatography (CLC) and SPE were investigated in detail, such as type of SPE column, pH value of samples, type and volume of elution solvent, flow rate of loading sample, salt effect, loading volume, detection wavelength, and type and ratio of mobile phases. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the four insecticides were separated completely within 6 min. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 0.35-1.20 μg/kg and 1.17-4.00 μg/kg, respectively. Satisfactory recoveries of the SPE-CLC method were achieved for spiked food samples of tomato, cucumber and apple ranging from 72.41% to 107.15% with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) no more than 8.12%, and for spiked tap/lake water samples ranging from 71.45% to 109.25% with the RSDs no more than 9.28%. The method can meet the requirements for multi-residue analysis of insecticides.

Erratum to: Polymer monolithic column containing embedded graphene oxide sheets for sensitive determination of carbamate insecticides by HPLC

We describe a new kind of polymer monolithic column for polymer monolith microextraction (PMME) of carbamate insecticide (methomyl, carbofuran and pirimicarb) residues from water samples. The monolith was prepared inside the tip of a micropipette via thermally initiated free-radical polymerization of methacrylic acid as the monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the cross-linker, and graphene oxide (GO) dispersed in the mixed porogens (1-propanol and 1,4-butanediol). The resulting monolith was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and IR spectrometry. The effects of sample flow rate, sample volume, sample pH, desorption solvent and flow rate on PMME were optimized. Compared to a monolith without GO, the new monolith displays higher enrichment capacity, and is reusable and stable. Following extraction, the three carbamates were quantified by HPLC. The limits of detection (for S/N = 3) for the three carbamates are in the range of 0.3–0.7 μg∙L−1, and the intra- and inter-day precisions are <5.7 %. The new monolith was successfully applied for the determination of the insecticides in various (spiked) environmental water samples, with recoveries in the range from 78.9 to 103.4 %.

Method for the quantification of current use and persistent pesticides in cow milk, human milk and baby formula using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method for the quantification of organochlorine (OC), organophosphate (OP), carbamate, and pyrethroid insecticide residues in cow milk, human milk, and baby formula. A total of 25 compounds were included in this method. Sample extraction procedures combined liquid-liquid extraction, freezing-lipid filtration, dispersive primary-secondary amine cleanup, and solid-phase extraction together for effective extraction and elimination of matrix interferences. Target compounds were analyzed using gas chromatography with electron impact ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-EI-MS/MS) in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Average extraction recoveries obtained from cow milk samples fortified at two different concentrations (10 ng/mL and 25 ng/mL), ranged from 34% to 102%, with recoveries for the majority of target compounds falling between 60% and 80%. Similar ranges were found for formula fortified at 25 ng/mL. The estimated limits of detection for most target analytes were in the low pg/mL level (range 3-1600 pg/mL). The accuracies and precisions were within the range of 80-120% and less than 15%, respectively. This method was tested for its viability by analyzing 10 human milk samples collected from anonymous donors, 10 cow milk samples and 10 baby formula samples purchased from local grocery stores in the United States. Hexachlorobenzene, p,p-dicofol, o,p-DDE, p,p-DDE, and chlorpyrifos were found in all samples analyzed. We found detectable levels of permethrin, cyfluthrin, and fenvalerate in some of the cow milk samples but not in human milk or baby formula samples. Some of the pesticides, such as azinphos-methyl, heptachlor epoxide, and the pesticide synergist piperonyl butoxide, were detected in some of the cow milk and human milk samples but not in baby formula samples.

Chromogenic platform based on recombinant Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase for visible unidirectional assay of organophosphate and carbamate insecticide residues

In this study we propose a chromogenic platform for rapid analysis of organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CM) insecticide residues, based on recombinant Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase (R-DmAChE) as enzyme and indoxyl acetate as substrate. The visible chromogenic strip had the advantages identical to those of commonly used lateral flow assays (LFAs) with utmost simplicity in sample loading and result observation. After optimization, depending on the color intensity (CI) values, the well-established assay has the capabilities of both qualitative measurement via naked eyes and quantitative analysis by colorimetric reader with the desirable IC50 values against the tested six insecticides (0.06μgmL−1 of carbofuran, 0.28μgmL−1 of methomyl, 0.03μgmL−1 of dichlorvos, 31.6μgmL−1 of methamidophos, 2.0μgmL−1 of monocrotophos, 6.3μgmL−1 of omethoate). Acceptable matrix effects and satisfactory detection performance were confirmed by in-parallel LC–MS/MS analysis in different vegetable varieties at various spiked levels of 10−3 to 101μgg−1. Overall, the testified suitability and applicability of this novel platform meet the requirements for practical use in food safety management and environmental monitoring, especially in the developing world.

Reversed Electrode Polarity Stacking Sample Preconcentration Combined with Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography for the Analysis of Carbamate Insecticide Residues in Fruit Juices

Reversed electrode polarity stacking mode (REPSM) coupled to micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) was employed for the simultaneous determination of carbamate insecticide residues in fruit juice samples. A mixture of the studied insecticides (i.e., methomyl, propoxur, carbofuran, carbaryl, isoprocarb, and promecarb) in 10 mmol L−1 phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) was introduced into the capillary tube by hydrodynamic injection at 0.5 psi for 30 s followed by removal of the sample matrix at −15 kV for 0.5 min. The analytes were successfully separated within 8 min using 10 mmol L−1 borate buffer containing 60 mmol L−1 sodium dodecyl sulfate at pH 9.5, and photodiode array detection at 205, 214, and 225 nm. The REPSM–MEKC gave stacking enhancement factors of about 4–13, compared to that without stacking. The limits of detection were in the range 0.01–0.10 mg L−1, which is acceptable with respect to the maximum residue limits. Good precisions were obtained with relative standard deviation lower than 1.8% (for migration time) and 10% (for peak area). The recoveries for most fruit juice samples were acceptable (>80%). No contamination of the studied carbamates was observed in any sample. The proposed method is simple and effective for preconcentration and removal of matrix interferences in a single step for the determination of the studied carbamate insecticides.

Enhanced pesticide sensitivity of novel housefly actylcholinesterases: a new tool for the detection of residual pesticide contamination

The full-length cDNA encoding an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was cloned and sequenced from the housefly, Musca domestica, by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Sequence analysis revealed that this 2,076bp sequence encodes a mature protein of 612 amino acids (67kDa) and a 79 residue signal peptide. The amino acid sequence shared 52.8-81.4% identity with the AChE proteins of other insects. The cDNA sequence, which lacked the signal peptide was inserted into the vector pPIC9K and then introduced into strain GS115 of the yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombinant AChE protein was then expressed in P. pastoris strain GS115 by methanol induction. Site-directed mutagenesis of the A262G, Y327F, Y327D and I374D residues, either singly or in combination, was performed by reverse PCR. These mutants improved the catalytic activity and sensitivity to the organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. Although the sensitivity of other mutants was slightly increased, the results still showed that the sensitivity of triple mutant, GDD (A262G/Y327D/I374D), enhanced remarkably as much as 16 times for methomyl, 14 times for both carbofuran and chlorpyrifos, and ten times for parathion-methyl, compared to that of the wild-type. The results strongly suggested that these residues are the key structural elements controlling AChE enzyme catalytic activity and sensitivity to inhibition by insecticides. The AChE enzyme obtained by this method could be used to detect the organophosphate and carbamate insecticide residues in fruits and vegetables, a characteristic of great potential research and industrial application.

Determination of Carbamate and Benzoylurea Insecticides in Peach Juice Drink by Floated Organic Drop Microextraction–High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Floated organic drop microextraction (FDME)–high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed for extraction and determination of carbamate and benzoylurea insecticide residues from peach juice drink samples. The components were separated by a Diamonsil C18 instrument (5 µm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.). The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile, methanol, and water (the ratio of volume was 18:70:12). Factors relevant to the extraction efficiency were studied and optimized. The methodology exhibited good linearity between 0.01 and 10.0 µg/mL with a correlation coefficiency of 0.9999. The average recovery of pesticides ranged from 88.49% to 101.86%. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) (n = 6) were 1.99–3.47%.

Cloud-point extraction and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for the determination of carbamate insecticide residues in fruits

A cloud-point extraction (CPE) method using Triton X-114 non-ionic surfactant was developed for the extraction and preconcentration of carbamate insecticide residues (i.e., methomyl, propoxur, carbofuran, carbaryl, isoprocarb, and promecarb) in fruit samples. The optimum conditions of CPE were 1.5% (w/v) Triton X-114, 7.0% (w/v) NaCl and 20 min equilibrated at 45 degrees C. The surfactant-rich phase was then analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection at 270 nm, under gradient separation using methanol and 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid. Under the study conditions, six carbamate insecticides were successfully separated within 27 min. Good reproducibility was obtained with the relative standard deviation of <3% for retention time and <9% for peak area. Limits of detection in the studied fruit samples were in the range of 0.1-1.0 mg kg(-1). No carbamate insecticides were detected in the studied fruit samples. The high recoveries of the spiked fruit samples were obtained in the range 80.0-107%. The CPE method has been shown to be a potential useful methodology for the preconcentration of the target analytes, with a preconcentration factor of 14. Moreover, the method is simple, has high sensitivity, consumes much less solvent than traditional methods, and is environmental friendly.

Synthesis of Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase gene using yeast preferred codons and its expression in Pichia pastoris

To improve the expression level of recombinant Drosophila melanogaster AChE (R- DmAChE) in Pichia pastoris, the cDNA of DmAChE was first optimized and synthesized based on the preferred codon usage of P. pastoris. The synthesized AChE cDNA without glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) signal peptide sequence was then ligated to the P. pastoris expression vector, generating the plasmid pPIC9K/ DmAChE. The linearized plasmid was homologously integrated into the genome of P. pastoris GS115 via electrotransformation. Finally seven transformants with high expression level of R- DmAChE activity were obtained. The highest production of R- DmAChE in shake-flask culture after 5-day induction by methanol was 718.50 units/mL, which was about three times higher than our previous expression level of native DmAChE gene in P. pastoris. Thus, these new strains with the ability to secret R- DmAChE in the medium could be used for production of R- DmAChE to decrease the cost of the enzyme expense for rapid detection of organophosphate and carbamate insecticide residues.

Monitoring of pesticide residues in vegetarian diet

Samples (28) of complete vegetarian diet consumed from morning till night i.e. tea, milk, breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, sweet dish etc. were collected from homes, hostels and hotels periodically from Hisar and analysed for detecting the residues of organochlorine, synthetic pyrethriod, organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. The estimation was carried out by using multi-residue analytical technique employing gas chromatograph (GC)-electron capture detector and GC-nitrogen phosphorous detector systems equipped with capillary columns. The whole diet sample was macerated in a mixer grinder and a representative sample in duplicate was analyzed for residues keeping the average daily diet of an adult to be 1,300 g. On comparing the data, it was found that actual daily intake (microgram/person/day) of lindane in two and endosulfan in four samples exceeded the acceptable daily intake. Residues of other pesticides in all the diet samples were lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of the respective pesticides. The study concluded that although all the diet samples were found contaminated with one or the other pesticide, the actual daily intake of only a few pesticides was higher than their respective ADI. More extensive study covering other localities of Haryana has been suggested to know the overall scenario of contamination of vegetarian diet.

Production of a novel recombinant Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase for detection of organophosphate and carbamate insecticide residues

A novel recombinant Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase (R- DmAChE) produced in Pichia pastoris was first reported in this study. We cloned the DmAChE cDNA by reverse transcription PCR with removal of the signal for glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor attachment and the endogenous signal peptide coding sequence, and inserted it into P. pastoris vector pPIC9K under control of the alcohol oxidase gene AOX1 promoter (5′ AOX1). The expression cassette of AChE cDNA was then introduced into methylotrophic yeast GS115 and several recombinant strains expressing R- DmAChE were obtained. The secreted R- DmAChE showed high stability in neutral phosphate buffer at 4 °C, and its kinetic parameters were identical to those of the native DmAChE. The bimolecular rate constants of R- DmAChE to dichlorvos, aldicarb and carbaryl were ranging from three to six times higher than of native DmAChE . Within six insecticides, the R- DmAChE was more sensitive than EeAChE, NbAChE and HuAChE. For 10 widely used insecticides, the IC 50 values to the R- DmAChE were much lower than those to AChEs commonly used in China. With the R- DmAChE-based assay, samples spiked with three concentrations of pesticides caused enzymatic activity inhibition with R.S.D. of 0–13.7%. These results suggest that the R- DmAChE can be useful for detection of organophosphate and carbamate insecticide residues.

Simple and rapid assay for analyzing residues of carbamate insecticides in bovine milk: hot water extraction followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

A simple, specific and rapid procedure for determining six largely used carbamate insecticides in bovine whole milk is here presented. This method is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion technique with heated water as extractant followed by liquid chromatography (LC)–mass spectrometry (MS) equipped with a single quadrupole and an electrospray ion source. Target compounds were extracted from milk by water heated at 90 °C. After acidification and filtration, 0.2 mL of the aqueous extract was injected in the LC column. MS data acquisition was performed in the selected ion-monitoring mode, selecting three ions for each target compound. Heated water appeared to be an excellent extractant, since absolute recovery data ranged between 76 and 104% with R.S.D. not larger than 8%. Using butocarboxim (an obsolete carbamate insecticide) as surrogate internal standard, the accuracy of the analysis at three spike levels varied between 85 and 105% with R.S.D. not larger than 9%. On the basis of a signal-to-noise ratio of 10, limits of quantification were estimated to range between 3 ppb (propoxur) and 8 ppb (pirimicarb). The effects of temperature, volume and flow rate of the extractant on the analyte recovery were studied.

Simple and rapid assay for analyzing residues of carbamate insecticides in bovine milk: hot water extraction followed by liquid chromatography?mass spectrometry

A simple, specific and rapid procedure for determining six largely used carbamate insecticides in bovine whole milk is here presented. This method is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion technique with heated water as extractant followed by liquid chromatography (LC)–mass spectrometry (MS) equipped with a single quadrupole and an electrospray ion source. Target compounds were extracted from milk by water heated at 90 °C. After acidification and filtration, 0.2 mL of the aqueous extract was injected in the LC column. MS data acquisition was performed in the selected ion-monitoring mode, selecting three ions for each target compound. Heated water appeared to be an excellent extractant, since absolute recovery data ranged between 76 and 104% with R.S.D. not larger than 8%. Using butocarboxim (an obsolete carbamate insecticide) as surrogate internal standard, the accuracy of the analysis at three spike levels varied between 85 and 105% with R.S.D. not larger than 9%. On the basis of a signal-to-noise ratio of 10, limits of quantification were estimated to range between 3 ppb (propoxur) and 8 ppb (pirimicarb). The effects of temperature, volume and flow rate of the extractant on the analyte recovery were studied.

Sorting out molecules reacting with acetylcholinesterase by enzyme encapsulation in liposome

Enzymes are considered as providential molecules for biosensor design because of their sensitivity and the high specificity of the reactions they catalyse. However, their active sites often display low selectivity, a lot of molecules may enter and interfere with catalysis. These molecules may be either competitive inhibitors, activators or molecules which change the physico-chemical environment of the enzyme (pH, ionic strength). They produce the “matrix effect” that lowers the reliability of biosensors. We show here that encapsulation of enzymes in liposomes inserts a barrier between the enzyme and the external environment and protects the enzyme in a stable nano-environment for an optimal activity. This barrier sorts out the molecules that could react with the enzyme according to their hydrophobicity. Acetylcholinesterase is used to detect organophosphorous and carbamate insecticide residues but several molecules (reversible inhibitors, pH and ionic strength modifiers) generate matrix effects in free conditions. These perturbations were completely ineffective following enzyme encapsulation.

A simple and rapid assay for analyzing residues of carbamate insecticides in vegetables and fruits: hot water extraction followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A simple, specific, and rapid analytical method for determining seven largely used carbamate insecticides in tomato, spinach, lettuce, zucchini, pear, and apple is here presented. This method is based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion technique, with heated water as extractant followed by liquid chromatography (LC)-mass spectrometry (MS) equipped with a single quadrupole and an electrospray ion source. Target compounds were extracted from the vegetal matrixes by water heated at 50 degrees C. After acidification and filtration, 0.25 mL of any aqueous extract was injected in the LC column. MS data acquisition was performed in the selected ion monitoring mode, selecting three ions for each target compound. Heated water appeared to be an excellent extractant because recovery data ranged between 76 (carbaryl in spinach) and 99% (pirimicarb in spinach), with RSDs not larger than 10%. Using trimethacarb (an obsolete carbamate insecticide) as a surrogate internal standard, the accuracy of the analysis varied between 84 and 110%, with RSDs not larger than 9%. On the basis of a signal-to-noise ratio of 10, limits of quantification were estimated to range between 2 (pirimicarb) and 10 ppb (oxamyl) and were not influenced by the type of matrix. When trying to fractionate analytes by using a short chromatographic run time, marked weakening of the ion signals for oxamyl, methomyl, and aldicarb were observed. This effect was traced to polar endogenous co-extractives eluted in the first part of the chromatographic run that interfered with gas-phase ion formation for carbamates. Adopting more selective chromatographic conditions eliminated this effect.

Detection of Carbofuran and Other Carbamates Using Cholinesterase Inhibition with N-Methylindoxyl Acetate as Substrate

A screening test was developed to detect trace amounts of carbamate insecticide residues in water and in aqueous extracts of meat. T'his test considers multiple insecticides with the common ability to inhibit cholinesterase. Assay solutions containing inhibitory insecticides remain colorless upon addition of substrate, while negatives and negative controls exhibit both fluorescence and a yellow color, followed by the formation of a blue precipitate that can serve as a permanent marker for assays judged negative. Phospholipids such as lecithin interfere with the test and must be removed before assay

Extraction, Cleanup and Liquid Chromatographic‐Diode Array Determination of Carbamate Pesticides in Soil Samples

Abstract Significant analytical problems occur during the isolation and assay of carbamate insecticide residues in soils. Nonetheless, liquid‐chromatographic diode array can be used to measure species concentrations (e.g., carbofuran, chlorpropham, carbaryl, propoxur, pirimicarb, and oxamyl) in the low ppm range. Low concentrations of the soil‐matrix breakdown product, 1‐naphthol, can also be measured. Several different extraction mixtures (e.g., acetone‐ethyl acetate, acetone‐dichloromethane, acetone‐methanol, and methanol alone) are compared. Cleanup procedures use Florisil column chromatography and several eluents, mixtures of acetone and dichloromethane. Aminopropyl‐silica and Florisil cartridges give promising results for routine analyses. Diode array detection is useful for obtaining UV‐spectral information of matrix interferences and blanks. Co‐eluted peaks may be differentiated using the second derivatives of spectra. The methodology is validated by analyzing residue levels of pirimicarb in real s...

Field leaf-test kit for rapid determination of dislodgeable foliar residues of organophosphate and N-methyl carbamate insecticides

Field leaf-test kit for rapid determination of dislodgeable foliar residues of organophosphate and N-methyl carbamate insecticides

Liquid Chromatographic Determination of N-Methylcarbamate Insecticides and Metabolites in Crops. II. Analytical Characteristics and Residue Findings

Four laboratories obtained 177 carbamate recovery values using a liquid chromatographic method. The average recovery of 11 carbamates (aldicarb, aldicarb sulfone, bufencarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, 3-hydroxy carbofuran, 3-keto carbofuran, methiocarb, methiocarb sulfoxide, methomyl, and oxamyl) from 14 crops was 99% with a coefficient of variation of 8% (0.03-1.8 ppm fortification levels). No statistical difference in recovery was found between oxime and phenyl carbamates, or between parent and metabolite carbamates. Average recovery of aldicarb sulfoxide was 59% due to loss in the liquid-liquid partitioning because of the polarity of this compound. A fifth laboratory contributed 34 carbamate recoveries (average 99%) on table-ready food products for 4 carbamates. Bendiocarb, dioxacarb, isoprocarb, and propoxur are also quantitatively recovered through the method. Previously reported carbamate and noncarbamate recovery data are also discussed. In the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) analysis of 319 samples (mainly crops), 86 (27%) were found to contain residues of carbamate insecticides and/or toxic carbamate metabolites. Carbaryl and methomyl were the most common carbamate residues found on the food products excluding the aldicarb sulfone and sulfoxide residues found on potatoes. In one FDA Total Diet Program "market basket", 11 of 69 table-ready food commodities contained from 0.005 to 0.094 ppm carbamate residues. Carbaryl was the most prevalent residue. Several laboratories reported adverse effects on the determinative system when inadequately purified reagents were used.