Concentrations Of Glyphosate Research Articles

Glyphosate affects haemocyte parameters in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum

This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of glyphosate on haemocyte parameters of the clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Clams were exposed for 7 days to differing glyphosate concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 μg/L) and various haemocyte parameters were measured, such as total haemocyte count (THC), haemocyte diameter and volume, haemocyte proliferation, haemolymph lactate dehydrogenase activity, haemocyte lysate lysozyme and acid phosphatase activities. Glyphosate reduced significantly THC values, while increased both diameter and volume of haemocytes. Exposure to the highest herbicide concentration increased significantly haemocyte proliferation. No significant effects on haemolymph lactate dehydrogenase and haemocyte lysate lysozyme activities were observed, whereas haemocyte lysate acid phosphatase activity resulted significantly increased in clams exposed at 100 and 1000 μg/L. On the whole, this study demonstrated that glyphosate influenced significantly haemocyte parameters in R. philippinarum.

Acute toxicity of glyphosate-based isopropylamine formulation to juvenile African catfish (<i>Clarias gariepinus</i>)

The formulation of glyphosate composed of Isopropylamine salt (41 % wt) is widely used as herbicide both in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. This study examined the toxicity of the surfactant Isopropylamine salt of glyphosate herbicide to post juvenile African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).. This experimental design was based on the standard Total Residual Chlorine (TRC) method with interval time of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs. Gulping of air, restlessness, surface to bottom movement, sudden quick movement and excessive resting at the bottom were abnormal behaviour observed in the exposed fish. Mortality of C. gariepinus increased (p<0.05) with an increase in glyphosate concentration. The results showed that the 96h LC50 value of glyphosate was 300 mg/L while the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of this toxicant is 30.0 mg/L. The effect of the toxicant on C. gariepinus was both time and concentration-dependent.Keywords: Acute toxicity, Clarias gariepinus, Glyphosate, LC50, Mortality

Soilborne glyphosate residue thresholds for wheat seedling metabolite profiles and fungal root endophyte colonisation are lower than for biomass production in a sandy soil

Repeated applications of glyphosate in short timeframes can lead to periodic accumulation of soilborne glyphosate residues. This study aimed to determine whether typical glyphosate residues observed in fields affect growth, plant metabolite composition and fungal root endophyte colonisation of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Glyphosate was applied to a sandy soil at 0, 0.33, 1, 3, 9 and 27 times a recommended label rate (LR) to establish soil glyphosate concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.4, 1, 4.7 and 14.8 mg kg−1 in topsoil (0–100 mm) after a 28 d plant-free incubation. Wheat plants were then grown to establish thresholds of soilborne glyphosate on seedling emergence, major alterations to plant metabolic responses and fungal root endophyte colonisation. Seedling emergence was unaffected by soil residual glyphosate treatments. Shoot biomass was significantly higher at 1 mg kg−1 compared to the control treatments (P < 0.05) and root biomass followed a similar trend. Leaf metabolite profiles of plants growing in soil containing 4.7–14.8 mg kg−1 glyphosate could be discriminated from the 0–0.4 mg kg−1 treatments due to significant (P < 0.05) effects on the relative concentrations of metabolites. Fungal root endophyte colonisation was significantly reduced to 10% at 14.8 mg kg−1 (P < 0.05) whereas shoot and root biomass remained unaffected. Our study highlights differences in glyphosate sensitivity thresholds between plants and fungal symbionts. Sub-lethal concentrations of residual soilborne glyphosate can alter wheat metabolism and impair fungal root endophyte colonisation. Effect thresholds for glyphosate may be lower for fungal symbionts than for host plants. However, the soil glyphosate residue levels required to reach such thresholds are high and would only be approached in commercial fields with a history of repeated glyphosate application.

Glyphosate runoff and its occurrence in rainwater and subsurface soil in the nearby area of agricultural fields in Argentina.

Glyphosate-based products are among the most important herbicides applied to enhance the production of food commodities, leading to the worldwide spread of this herbicide. The main goal of this work was to evaluate the off-site transport of glyphosate in a runoff experiment. A micro-plot experiment was conducted to assess the retention, leaching and runoff of glyphosate under rainfall simulation. Glyphosate losses due to spray drift were estimated. Concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA were determined in rainwater and subsurface soil from agricultural and riparian zones. Analyses were performed with UHPLC-MS/MS. Experimental results demonstrated that 88.1% of the applied glyphosate was retained in the surface soil layer (0–9 cm). Glyphosate leaching was negligible compared to its runoff (3.9%) and spray drift (6.9%). Thus, the risk of groundwater pollution would be lower in comparison to that of both surface waters and rainwater. Moreover, under field conditions, glyphosate and AMPA were detected in 52% of the rainwater samples and glyphosate was detected up to 1 m in both soil profiles. Although the experimental application was made with hand-held knapsack under low wind condition to minimize glyphosate aerial dispersion, the spray drift was the main source of glyphosate off-site transport, degrading air quality and rainwater for human consumption. The balance among spray drift, runoff and soil absorption of glyphosate when it was sprayed close to the soil surface (hand held equipment), demonstrated the importance of spray drift in mass balance studies during runoff and leaching experiments with glyphosate.

Developmental and epigenetic effects of Roundup and glyphosate exposure on Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)

Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides are the most commonly used herbicides in the world, yet their effects on developing fish embryos are not clearly understood. The present study, therefore, examined developmental teratogenic effects and adult-onset reproductive effects of exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate and Roundup in Japanese medaka fish (Oryzias latipes). Hd-rR strain medaka embryos were exposed to 0.5 mg/L glyphosate, 0.5 mg/L and 5 mg/L Roundup (glyphosate acid equivalent) for the first 15 days of their embryonic life and then allowed to sexually mature without further exposure. Whole body tissue samples were collected at 15 days post fertilization (dpf) and brain and gonad samples were collected in mature adults. Hatching success and phenotypic abnormalities were recorded up until 15 dpf. Roundup (0.5 mg/L) and glyphosate decreased cumulative hatching success, while glyphosate exposure increased developmental abnormalities in medaka fry. Expression of the maintenance DNA methyltransferase gene Dnmt1 decreased, whereas expression of methylcytosine dioxygenase genes (Tet1, Tet2 and Tet3) increased in fry at 15 dpf suggesting that epigenetic alterations increased global DNA demethylation in the developing fry. Fecundity and fertilization efficiency were not altered due to exposure. Among the reproduction-related genes in the brain, kisspeptin receptor (Gpr54-1) expression was significantly reduced in females exposed to 0.5 mg/L and 5 mg/L Roundup, and Gpr54-2 was reduced in the 0.5 mg/L Roundup treatment group. No change in expression of these genes was observed in the male brain. In the testes, expression of Fshr and Arα was significantly reduced in medaka exposed to 0.5 mg/L Roundup and glyphosate, while the expression of Dmrt1 and Dnmt1 was reduced in medaka exposed to 0.5 mg/L glyphosate. No change in expression of these genes was observed in the ovaries. The present study demonstrates that Roundup and its active ingredient glyphosate can induce developmental, reproductive, and epigenetic effects in fish; suggesting that ecological species, mainly fish, could be at risk for endocrine disruption in glyphosate and Roundup-contaminated water bodies.

Determination of glyphosate, AMPA, and glufosinate in honey by online solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

ABSTRACTA simple method was developed for the simultaneous determination of glyphosate, its main degradation product (aminomethylphosphonic acid), and glufosinate in honey. Aqueous honey solutions were derivatised offline prior to direct analysis of the target analytes using online solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Using the developed procedure, accuracies ranging from 95.2% to 105.3% were observed for all analytes at fortification levels of 5, 50, and 150 μg kg−1 with intra-day precisions ranging from 1.6% to 7.2%. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 1 μg kg−1 for each analyte. Two hundred honey samples were analysed for the three analytes with AMPA and glyphosate being most frequently detected (99.0% and 98.5% of samples tested, respectively). The concentrations of glyphosate were found to range from <1 to 49.8 μg kg−1 while those of its degradation product ranged from <1 to 50.1 μg kg−1. The ratio of glyphosate to AMPA was found to vary significantly amongst the samples where both analytes were present above the LOQ. Glufosinate was detected in 125 of 200 samples up to a maximum concentration of 33.0 μg kg−1.

Monitoring of Glyphosate, Glufosinate-ammonium, and (Aminomethyl)phosphonic acid in ambient air of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur Region, France

Glyphosate, AMPA, its main metabolite, and Glufosinate-ammonium were monitored in ambient air samples collected for two years (2015–2016), at four sampling sites in Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur Region (PACA, France) in different areas typologies (non-agricultural areas: city center, ‘zero pesticide’ policy, and industrial area but also agricultural sectors: mainly orchards and vineyards). Neither Glufosinate-ammonium nor AMPA were detected. Glyphosate was detected at a global frequency of 7% with frequencies ranging from 0% (Nice) to 23% (Cavaillon), according to the sampling site. Glyphosate concentration reached a maximum level of 1.04 ng m−3 in the rural site of Cavaillon. This is despite the physicochemical characteristics of Glyphosate which are not favorable to its passage into the atmosphere. The absence of simultaneous detection of Glyphosate and AMPA suggests that drift during spraying operation is the main atmospheric source of Glyphosate and that resuspension from soil particles is minor. The present study offers one of the few report of Glyphosate, Glufosinate-ammonium, and AMPA in the air.

Study on the effect of occupational exposure to glyphosate on blood routine

Objective: To investigate the effect of glyphosate on blood routine of occupational exposure population. Methods: The workers who were occupationally exposed to glyphosate were selected as exposure group, and administrative staffs who were not exposed to glyphosate were selected as control group. Occupational health examination was conducted on all the subjects, and personal monitoring was applied to detect the concentration of glyphosate in the air of workplace. Time weighted average (TWA) concentration was calculated by the result of determination. Statistical methods were employed to compare the difference of blood routine results between the contact group and the control group, as well as between different posts. Results: 178 glyphosate workers were included in the contact group, and 203 non-contact persons were included in the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in the equilibrium test between the two groups(P>0.05). The abnormal rate of blood routine in the exposure group and the control group were 70.8% and 69.0%, respectively, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the red blood cell count and platelet distribution width difference (P<0.05) were significant difference. There was no significant difference between different positions (P>0.05). Conclusion: When TWA value is below 9.40 mg/m(3), glyphosate has effect on the results of platelet distribution width and red blood cell count, but has no effect on the abnormal rate of blood routine.

Metabolic response of bacteria to elevated concentrations of glyphosate-based herbicide

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most widespread commonly used broad-spectrum herbicides that contaminate soils and waters, are toxic to bacteria, plants and animals, and have been classified as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’ by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2015. Particular soil bacteria and fungi can degrade GBHs, hence, search for new GBH-degrading strains or microbial consortia, effective under specific growth conditions and local environment, seems to be a promising solution for bio-remediation of glyphosate-contaminated environment. Consequently, there is a need for rapid and informative methods to evaluate the GBH-induced changes of the metabolic pathways in cells, that may serve as indicators of GBH-degrading potential.Three new GBH-degrading bacterial strains, Pseudomonas sp., Actinobacteria and Serratia sp. were isolated from sludge of municipal waste water treatment plant (Daugavgriva, Riga, Latvia), agricultural soil and plant tissue, respectively. This study examined the response of these isolates to elevated concentrations of glyphosate (GLP) (100 and 500 mg/L) in GBH Klinik® 360 SL. The GBH-induced shift of metabolic activity in cells of Pseudomonas sp. was shown by tests on EcoPlates™. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses were used to evaluate the metabolomic response of bacteria to elevated concentrations of GBH in the growth environment. The spectra of Pseudomonas sp. and Serratia sp., incubated with and without GBH, were similar, thus indicating their GBH-resistance. The absorption at 1736 cm−1, assigned to ester carbonyl stretch vibrations, was detected in spectra of all three bacteria. The highest ester content was detected in Actinobacteria grown in medium with 1.0% molasses and 100 or 500 mg/L GLP in GBH Klinik®. An increase of cellular amounts of esters, either those of phospholipids or poly-β-hydroxybutyrates, indicates degradation of GLP. Therefore, monitoring the ester carbonyl stretch vibration band in FTIR spectra of bacterial biomass may speed up the search GBH-degrading strains. Microbiological tests and cell metabolic response studies by FTIR spectroscopy showed that the three new isolates of Pseudomonas sp., Actinobacteria and Serratia sp. were resistant to elevated concentrations of GBH Klinik® in growth environment and exhibited the potential for GBH degradation.

A novel triple amino acid substitution in the EPSPS found in a high-level glyphosate-resistant Amaranthus hybridus population from Argentina.

The evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds is one of the most important concerns of global agriculture. Amaranthus hybridus L. is a competitive weed for summer crops in South America. In this article, we intend to unravel the molecular mechanisms by which an A. hybridus population from Argentina has become resistant to extraordinarily high levels of glyphosate. The glyphosate-resistant population (A) exhibited particularly high parameters of resistance (GR50 = 20 900 g ai ha-1 , Rf = 314), with all plants completing a normal life cycle even after 32X dose application. No shikimic acid accumulation was detected in the resistant plants at any of the glyphosate concentrations tested. Molecular and genetic analyses revealed a novel triple substitution (TAP-IVS: T102I, A103V, and P106S) in the 5-enol-pyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) enzyme of population A and an incipient increase on the epsps relative copy number but without effects on the epsps transcription levels. The novel mechanism was prevalent, with 48% and 52% of the individuals being homozygous and heterozygous for the triple substitution, respectively. In silico conformational studies revealed that TAP-IVS triple substitution would generate an EPSPS with a functional active site but with an increased restriction to glyphosate binding. The prevalence of the TAP-IVS triple substitution as the sole mechanism detected in the highly glyphosate resistant population suggests the evolution of a new glyphosate resistance mechanism arising in A. hybridus. This is the first report of a naturally occurring EPSPS triple substitution and the first glyphosate target-site resistance mechanism described in A. hybridus. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Electrochemical Biosensor for Sensitive Quantification of Glyphosate in Maize Kernels

AbstractA graphite‐epoxy electrode (GE) modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and horseradish peroxidase (GE/MWCNTs‐HRP) was used to build a glyphosate biosensor whose performance in aqueous solutions depends on the enzyme activity. For the biosensor preparation, MWCNTs were deposited onto the GE surface by electrophoresis using an oxidative treatment (H2SO4/HNO3) in presence of cetyl tributylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a cationic surfactant. The surfactant was further removed from the MWCNTs surface by dipping the electrode in an EtOH/HCl solution. The physical immobilization of HRP and therefore the glyphosate sensing capabilities was tested at pH 4 where the herbicide exhibits one only species. Circular dichroism studies suggested that the secondary structure of HRP changes as a result of its interaction with glyphosate and that this change is intensified by the combination of glyphosate and H2O2, which may explain the decrease of the enzyme catalytic activity with the increase of glyphosate concentration. The glyphosate quantification in doped‐maize kernels was highly reproducible and exhibits detection and quantification limits of 1.32 pM and 1.63 pM respectively. The biosensor is also characterized by a high recovery (100 %) and precision (coefficient of variation &lt;1 %) and can be employed in presence of interfering substances such as chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate pesticide) and starch.

A novel fluorimetric method for glyphosate and AMPA determination with NBD-Cl and MCR-ALS.

We report the development of a new analytical method for the quantification of N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate) and (aminomethyl)phosphonic acid (AMPA) by combining spectrofluorimetry and multivariate calibration. In this study, fluorescence spectroscopy was used to quantify glyphosate and AMPA, which were previously derivatized with the fluorogenic reagent: 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD-Cl). Fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (EEM) were recorded by exciting between 400 and 500 nm, and measuring the emission between 500 and 610 nm. The second-order data obtained were processed using the Multivariate Curve Resolution with Alternating Least Square (MCR-ALS) methodology. The developed method was used to predict different concentrations of glyphosate and AMPA in validation samples. In addition, the presence of the herbicide was evaluated in real samples: a commercial formulation and a water sample from a cultivated area. For this purpose, the standard addition method was used to study the matrix effect in each case. The ranges of working concentrations obtained for this new method are in agreement with the amounts found in surface water samples near a direct sowing soybean growing region in Argentina.

The effects of glyphosate-based herbicide formulations on Lemna minor, a non-target species

Research into plants plays an important role in evaluations of water pollution with pesticides. Lemna minor (common duckweed) is widely used as an indicator organism in environmental risk assessments. The aim of this study was to determine by biological Lemna test and chemical methods the effect of glyphosate (GlyPh) concentrations of 0–40 μM on duckweed, an important link in the food chain. There are no published data on glyphosate's effects on the activity of enzymes of the amine biosynthesis pathway: ornithine decarboxylase, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase, tyrosine decarboxylase, lysine decarboxylase and arginine decarboxylase, and the content of shikimic acid and glyphosate residues in the tissues of common duckweed.It was found that glyphosate was taken up by duckweed. In plants exposed to 3 μM of glyphosate for 7 days, glyphosate content exceeded the acceptable Maximum Residue Level (MRL) 10-fold. Glyphosate accumulation in plant tissues exerted toxic effects on duckweed by decreasing its growth and yield, inhibiting the synthesis of chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids, and decreasing the photochemical activity of photosystem II (PSII). However, glyphosate increased the concentration of shikimic acid in the tested plants. The activity of ornithine decarboxylase increased 4-fold in plants exposed to 20 μM of the herbicide. As a water pollutant, glyphosate increased the content of biogenic amines tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine. The activity of peroxidase and catalase was highest in duckweed exposed to 20 μM and 7 μM of the herbicide, respectively. The predicted toxic units were calculated based on glyphosate content and the computed EC values. The mean effective concentration calculated for all morphological and biochemical parameters of duckweed was determined at EC10 = 1.55, EC25 = 3.36, EC50 = 6.62 and EC90 = 14.08 μM of glyphosate. The study demonstrated that glyphosate, the active ingredient of Roundup Ultra 360 SL herbicide, induces morphological and biochemical changes in non-target plants and exerts toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems even during short-term exposure.

Is soil contamination by a glyphosate commercial formulation truly harmless to non-target plants? – Evaluation of oxidative damage and antioxidant responses in tomato

Using a realistic and environmental relevant approach, the present study aimed at understanding the biochemical and physiological basis of glyphosate (GLY)-induced stress in non-target plant species, using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as a model. For this purpose, plants were grown for 28 days under different concentrations of a commercial formulation of GLY (Roundup® UltraMax) - 0, 10, 20 and 30 mg kg−1 soil. The exposure of plants to increasing concentrations of GLY caused a severe inhibition of growth (root and shoot elongation and fresh weight), especially in the highest treatments. In what regards the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), both hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O2.-) remained unchanged in shoots, but significantly increased in roots. Moreover, a concentration-dependent decrease in lipid peroxidation (LP) was found in shoots, though in roots differences were only found for the highest concentration of GLY. The evaluation of the antioxidant system showed that GLY interfered with several antioxidant metabolites (proline, ascorbate and glutathione) and enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase – SOD; catalase – CAT; ascorbate peroxidase – APX), generally inducing a positive response of the defense mechanisms. Overall, data obtained in this study unequivocally demonstrated that soil contamination by GLY, applied as part of its commercial formulation Roundup® UltraMax, impairs the growth and physiological performance of tomato plants, and likely of other non-target plant species, after 28 days of exposure by clearly affecting the normal redox homeostasis.

Meta-analysis of glyphosate contamination in surface waters and dissipation by biofilms

One consequence of the intensive use of glyphosate is the contamination of rivers by the active substance and its metabolites aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA) and sarcosine, inducing river eutrophication. Biofilms are the predominant lifestyle for microorganisms in rivers, providing pivotal roles in ecosystem functioning and pollutant removal. The persistence of glyphosate in these ecosystems is suspected to be mostly influenced by microbial biodegradation processes.The present study aimed to investigate the tripartite relationship among biofilms, phosphorus and glyphosate in rivers. The first part consists of a co-occurrence analysis among glyphosate, AMPA and phosphorus using an extensive dataset of measurements (n = 56,198) from French surface waters between 2013 and 2017. The second part investigated the capacity of natural river biofilms to dissipate glyphosate, depending on phosphorus availability and the exposure history of the biofilm, in a microcosm study.A strong co-occurrence among glyphosate, AMPA and phosphorus was found in surface waters. More than two-thirds of samples contained phosphorous with glyphosate, AMPA or both compounds. Seasonal fluctuations in glyphosate, AMPA and phosphorus concentrations were correlated, peaking in spring/summer shortly after pesticide spreading. Laboratory experiments revealed that natural river biofilms can degrade glyphosate. However, phosphorus availability negatively influenced the biodegradation of glyphosate and induced the accumulation of AMPA in water. An increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and phosphorus uptake was observed in glyphosate-degrading biofilms, evidencing the tight link between phosphorus limitation and glyphosate degradation by biofilms.The results of the present study show that phosphorus not only is a key driver of river eutrophication but also can reduce complete glyphosate degradation by biofilms and favour the accumulation of AMPA in river water. The predominant role of biofilms and the trophic status of rivers must therefore be considered in order to better assess the fate and persistence of glyphosate.

Evaluating Glyphosate Exposure Routes and Their Contribution to Total Body Burden: A Study Among Amenity Horticulturalists.

To evaluate determinants of dermal and inadvertent ingestion exposure and assess their contribution to total body burden among amenity horticultural users using glyphosate-based pesticide products. A dermal and inadvertent ingestion exposure assessment was completed alongside a biomonitoring study among amenity horticultural workers. Linear mixed effect regression models were elaborated to evaluate determinants of exposure and their contribution to total body burden. A total of 343 wipe and glove samples were collected from 20 workers across 29 work tasks. Geometric mean (GM) glyphosate concentrations of 0.01, 0.04 and 0.05 µg cm-2 were obtained on wipes from the workers' perioral region and left and right hands, respectively. For disposable and reusable gloves, respectively, GM glyphosate concentrations of 0.43 and 7.99 µg cm-2 were detected. The combined hand and perioral region glyphosate concentrations explained 40% of the variance in the urinary (µg l-1) biomonitoring data. To the author's knowledge, this is the first study to have investigated both dermal and inadvertent exposure to glyphosate and their contribution to total body burden. Data show the dermal exposure is the prominent route of exposure in comparison to inadvertent ingestion but inadvertent ingestion may contribute to overall body burden. The study also identified potential exposure to non-pesticide users in the workplace and para-occupational exposures.

Potential of terracing to reduce glyphosate and AMPA surface runoff on Latosol

Glyphosate is the world’s most used herbicide and monitoring glyphosate in the environment is a relevant topic. The present study aims to develop a methodology to extract glyphosate from the soil and sediments, and assess the potential of the terracing system to mitigate contamination by glyphosate and AMPA in soil and water. Collections were performed on a weekly basis in two different periods of the agricultural calendar, totaling 24 Latosol soil samples, 12 sediment samples, and 10 water samples. The sampling was performed in two distinct areas: in the cultivation area where the lots with and without terrace were installed (soil and water of the reservoirs) and in the creek (sediment) present in the middle of the property. The analytes were extracted from the soil and sediment samples using alkaline extraction with KH2PO4 and NH4OH. The supernatant resulting from the extraction and the water samples were submitted to the derivatization (FMOC-Cl) and solid-phase extraction steps. The samples were then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FD). The soil samples showed AMPA content in all samples ranging from 0.50 to 1.11 μg g−1 of soil. Glyphosate could be quantified in 37.5% of the samples, and the concentrations ranged from 0.21 to 0.49 μg g−1. High concentrations of glyphosate were detected in the water samples (20.74 and 31.24 μg L−1) in the first rain events after application, decreasing significantly in the following rainfall events. The concentrations found were similar for both lots, but the volume of runoff water was higher in the lot without terrace, thus a greater mass of analyte was transported. None of the analytes under investigation could be quantified in the analysis of riverbed sediments. Glyphosate and AMPA, however, were detected in 50 and 75% of the sediment samples respectively. The results indicate the presence of analytes in the cultivation areas and prove the effectiveness of the terracing system in agricultural areas, limiting the dumping of the material originated from the surface runoff into water bodies and reducing the risk of contamination.

Glyphosate Levels in American Food Products Meet Government Safety Levels Yet Exceed Concentrations Associated with Negative Effects

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in the weed killer Roundup, is the most popular herbicide in the agricultural industry, with 6.1 billion kilograms sprayed worldwide in the past decade. Residue findings in breakfast foods and alcoholic beverages have prompted quantitative human and vertebrate studies yielding contradictory results . This study tested the hypothesis that glyphosate concentrations in frequently consumed food products exceed the levels legally allowed in Australia, the European Union, and the United States. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was utilized to measure glyphosate concentrations in cereal, gluten-free white and yellow corn tortillas, regular and whole grain pasta, white and whole wheat bread, and soy chocolate milk. The results showed that mean glyphosate residues were the highest in cereal (1903 parts per billion [ppb]) and significantly higher in whole grain pasta (45 ppb) than regular pasta (19 ppb), in gluten-free yellow corn tortilla (35 ppb) than gluten-free white corn tortilla (none detected), and in whole wheat bread (888 ppb) than white bread (56 ppb). Mean glyphosate concentrations in 25% of samples exceeded the threshold (500 ppb) at which negative effects were observed in previous studies. However, glyphosate concentrations in none of the samples exceeded government-imposed limits. These results raise concerns about whether government-imposed limits are sufficient to protect human health. Future research should quantify glyphosate residues in a wider variety of foods and conduct epidemiological studies to reassess the sufficiency of current safety limits.

Effects of Glyphosate on Eucalyptus After its Application on Brachiaria (Signal) Grass

ABSTRACT The objective of this article was to evaluate the effects of glyphosate on the initial development of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urograndis) after its application on brachiaria (signal) grass plants (Brachiaria decumbens). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design. Glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) and shikimic acid concentrations were determined, along with an intoxication evaluation of the eucalyptus plant pointers and dry mass of the plants. Glyphosate was detected in eucalyptus plants after its application on B. decumbens plants, but the eucalyptus plants only presented low intoxication levels in the pointer’s leaves. No AMPA was detected in eucalyptus leaves, and only a dose of 1,440 g e.a. ha-1 of glyphosate reduced the total dry mass of eucalyptus plants. Glyphosate has the potential to cause intoxication in the crop when applied to adjacent plants.

Encapsulation of glyphosate herbicide with metal nanoparticles and water soluble polymers for controlled release of herbicide

Encapsulation is one of the quality preservation techniques of sensitive substances and a method for production of materials with new valuable properties. A laboratory experiment was carried out at the Department of Nano Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to encapsulate the glyphosate herbicide to improve the translocation efficiency. Different kinds of metal nanoparticles such as iron oxide and silver nanoparticles were synthesized in the laboratory. They were characterized for their functionality, size, shape and composition using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and EDAX. Two polymers such as Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) and Poly Styrene Sulfonate (PSS) were chosen based on their solubility. Encapsulation of glyphosate herbicide with the water soluble polymers and nanoparticles was done by spray drying method. The recovery per cent of encapsulated products was calculated based on initial concentration of glyphosate taken for encapsulation. Glyphosate encapsulated with polymers recorded 93.5 per cent of recovery. The other treatments such as glyphosate with iron oxide and glyphosate with silver nanoparticles showed recovery of 92.4 and 92.6 per cent, respectively.