Pesticide Industry Research Articles

Lindane removal by membrane nanofiltration

Lindane is the γ-isomer of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and it has been widely used in the pesticide industry due to its insecticide properties. In the production of lindane, significant quantities of other HCH isomers are generated as byproducts. All these compounds are typically stored in landfills, often with poor management practices. Polyamide membranes, two commercial membranes from Alfa Laval (NF99HF and NF99) and homemade thin film composite membranes prepared by interfacial polymerization on a porous polyimide support, were evaluated for water nanofiltration (NF) of HCH isomers, including lindane. Homemade membranes, with a lindane rejection of 91.3 % and a permeance of 2.7 L·m−2·h−1·bar−1, offered the highest performance in terms of both permeance and rejection. NF99 and homemade membranes were proven to be equally effective in removing α-HCH and β-HCH, showing similar results. Homemade membranes achieved 99.5 and 99.8 % rejections for α-HCH and β-HCH, respectively. Long-term experiments were carried out with NF99 and homemade membranes to assess their stability during filtrations with lindane solutions for up to 214 h. Homemade TFC membrane maintained its initial rejection (ca. 93.5 %) after 214 h, although its permeance decreased over time, ending in 2.5 L·m−2·h−1·bar−1.

Study on the Biotoxicity, Microbial Degradation and Metabolism, and Solidification of Monoaromatic Hydrocarbons (MACHs)

Monoaromatic hydrocarbons (MACHs), also known as aromatic organic compounds, are a general term for benzene and its derivatives. In a broad sense, monoaromatic hydrocarbons include all aromatic compounds. It can be used as an organic solvent in building decoration materials and is also widely used in other industries such as dye manufacturing, rubber manufacturing, pharmaceutical industry, pesticide industry, etc. Therefore, monoaromatic hydrocarbons are common pollutants emitted by human activities and can be widely detected in human living and living environments. With the development of China's urban economy, the improvement of residents' living standards, and the rapid increase in the number of motor vehicles, the pollution of monoaromatic hydrocarbons has become increasingly severe. Monoaromatic hydrocarbons have strong carcinogenic effects and can directly harm human respiratory, hematopoietic, nervous, reproductive and other system organs. Monoaromatic hydrocarbons also have high photochemical reactivity and are closely related to the formation of photochemical smog and aerosols in the atmosphere. Moreover, monoaromatic hydrocarbons have the characteristics of wide pollution sources, long action time, high pollution concentration, and long release cycle. They have been prioritized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as pollutants for control, and have also been included in China's "blacklist" of environmental priority pollutants.

Case-Control Study of Occupational Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Republic of Korea

BackgroundWe conducted a case-control study to identify high-risk occupations and exposure to occupational hazards for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MethodsWhen patients with AML admitted to the Department of Hematology in the study hospital for the first time are referred to the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, data on occupation are collected by investigators to evaluate work-relatedness. Community-based controls were recruited through an online survey agency, and four controls per case were matched. Occupational information was estimated using structured questionnaires covering 27 specific occupations and 32 exposure agents. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed by pairing cases and controls. ResultsIn the analysis of the risk of AML according to occupational classification, a significant association was found in paint manufacturing or painting work (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.03–4.81) and aircrew (OR = 6.00, 95% CI: 1.00–35.91) in males, and in pesticide industry (OR = 6.89, 95% CI: 1.69–28.07) and cokes and steel industry (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.18–22.06) in ≥60 years old. Moreover, the risk of AML increased significantly as the cumulative exposure to thinners increased. In the analyses stratified by sex and age, the association between pesticide exposure and AML was significant in males (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.10–9.77) and in ≥60 years old (OR = 6.22, 95% CI: 1.48–26.08). ConclusionThis case-control study identified high-risk occupational groups in the Republic of Korea including paint manufacturers and painters, aircrew, and those who are occupationally exposed to pesticides or paint thinners.

Emission characteristics, environmental impacts and health risk assessment of volatile organic compounds from the typical chemical industry in China

To study the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission characteristics of industrial enterprises in China, 6 typical chemical industries in Yuncheng City were selected as research objects, including the modern coal chemical industry (MCC), pharmaceutical industry (PM), pesticide industry (PE), coking industry (CO) and organic chemical industry (OC). The chemical composition of 91 VOCs was quantitatively analyzed. The results showed that the emission concentration of VOCs in the chemical industry ranged from 1.16 to 155.59 mg/m3. Alkanes were the main emission components of MCC (62.0%), PE (55.1%), and OC (58.5%). Alkenes (46.5%) were important components of PM, followed by alkanes (23.8%) and oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) (21.2%). Halocarbons (8.6%-71.1%), OVOCs (9.7%-37.6%) and alkanes (11.2%-27.0%) were characteristic components of CO. The largest contributor to OFP was alkenes (0.6%-81.7%), followed by alkanes (9.3%-45.9%), and the lowest one was alkyne (0%-0.5%). Aromatics (66.9%-85.4%) were the largest contributing components to SOA generation, followed by alkanes (2.6%-28.5%), and the lowest one was alkenes (0%-4.1%). Ethylene and BTEX were the key active species in various chemical industries. The human health risk assessment showed workers long-term exposed to the air in the chemical industrial zone had a high cancer and non-cancer risk during work, and BTEX and dichloromethane were the largest contributors.

Formulation of water pollutant discharge limits for malathion based on nonsensitive aquatic organism protection

The “Integrated Wastewater Discharge Standard” was implemented for water pollutant discharge in China’s pesticide industry, which has no control requirements for particular wastewater pollutants in the industry. In the standard, certain pollutants discharge limits are limited strictly or loosely, resulting in practical management implementation difficulties. In view of the highly selective targeting characteristics of organic pesticide active ingredients in fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides, a method for deriving discharge limits based on the water quality criteria for pesticides for the protection of nonsensitive species is established based on the idea of fully protecting aquatic organisms beyond sensitive objects. Through the use of malathion as an example, by screening its toxicity data in different species of aquatic organisms, the sequence point with the most significant change in the acute toxicity sensitivity of the species is taken as the variation point in the cumulative frequency of the sensitive and nonsensitive species to derive the water quality criteria, using the species sensitivity distribution method as the scientific basis for determining the discharge limits. After a comparative analysis of different simulation models, the sigmoid model, with the best fit, is selected to determine that the sensitive species hazard concentration (HCs) of malathion to aquatic organisms in China is 46.4 µg/L, and the discharge limit derived from the HCs based on the relationship between the environmental capacity and emissions is rounded to 250 µg/L. Studies showed that the relationship between the emissions limit derived from the water quality criteria for protecting nonsensitive species and malathion limit stipulated in the “Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water” conforms to the corresponding relationship of the quality standard and discharge standard, which can be achieved by current pollution control technology, combined with water quality improvement. The discharge limit offers the advantages of technical accessibility and economic rationality.

Photocatalytic degradation and removal of type II pyrethroid pesticide (lambda-cyhalothrin) residue from wastewater using nanoceria for agricultural runoff application

Synthetic chemical pesticides' nature, mode of action, and persistence have brought about debates regarding whether the end justifies the means. Lambda-cyhalothrin is an important insecticide for farmers and households, with great accessibility and excellent action against pests and disease-carrying insects. Like other pyrethroid pesticides, Lambda-cyhalothrin targets the nervous system of insects or pests. However, its fate in the environment, especially in water and living systems, has made it crucial to explore methods of treating or degrading its residues in the environment. The present study aimed to develop a suitable method for the photocatalytic degradation and removal of Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCY) from wastewater and agricultural runoff. The nanoceria were used under natural solar irradiation without applying any scavenger chemical or buffer. This was synthesized using a simple co-precipitation method using cerium nitrate hexahydrate as a precursor. The synthesized nanoceria were characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and particle size analysis. The average size of the particle was 27 nm. The photocatalytic degradation was conducted in batches with various pesticide concentrations exposed to different amounts of nanoceria. The initial and final concentrations of the LCY at each level were determined using Shimadzu UV spectroscopy. At optimum conditions, nanoceria was found to degrade and remove more than 63% of the initial pesticide concentration. This method can be suitable for degrading and removing pesticide residue from agricultural runoff (at source) and industrial effluents from synthetic pesticide industries.

Study on Promotional Strategy of Syngenta Product Amistar in Hoshiarpur District of Punjab, India

Bases on information gathered from 176 respondents, a study carried out in the Hoshiarpur area of Punjab state discovered numerous Amistar fungicide promotional methods. The study's main goal was to determine how best to market fungicide to farmers. It is revealed that out of total respondent’s major number falls under the age group of 30- 50 years that is 94 respondents, and it was found land holding has a direction relation between the income level of the respondents and also the education level. The study showed that respondents gave the primary preference to Amistar Fungicide of by Syngenta Market potential is the maximum amount of sales that might be available to all the firms in a pesticide industry during a given period, under a given level of pesticide industry marketing efforts and environmental conditions. Grain crops is the major crop in Mukerian Block in which Amistar is used for use, so the market potential is calculated considering Maize crop acreage.
 when it comes the preferred promotional tools, the response was in the favour of farmer meeting. Demonstration, company’s person visit, wall postering, literature display, phone call, van campaign were ranked second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively. The response was in the favour of billboards with a total number of 57(32.40%) followed by the television, radio and social media. Other sources were television, radio, newspaper and social media.

Effects of the debate on glyphosate's carcinogenic risk on pesticide producers' share prices

We analyze the impact of the glyphosate controversy in the European Union in the period 2015–2017 on share prices of pesticides producing companies. Following an event study approach, we use daily stock market data for nine pesticide producers to identify the impact of eight regulatory events on companies' stock returns from 2015 until 2017. More specifically, we examine whether and how i) public announcements of assessments of glyphosate's risk to human health, and ii) decisions by regulatory bodies with respect to glyphosate's approval extension have affected the share prices of publicly traded pesticide producers. We use share prices reflecting the firms' market value and consequently expected future profitability and firm performance. We find that, on average, pesticide producers' share prices have been affected weakly by the glyphosate controversy in the EU. However, the first assessment of glyphosate's risk to human health on 20th of March 2015 has a clear negative effect. Our results show considerable heterogeneity regarding the impact on the firm-level. For example, firms that are more focused on glyphosate sales tend to be affected more strongly. Our analysis provides first insights in pesticide industry implications of discussions on pesticide bans. We draw policy conclusions and derive firm-strategic recommendations.

Preface

The ISSAAS Indonesia Chapter had been chosen to host ISSAAS Seminar and Congress 2022, the first nonvirtual international meeting by the organization since the Covid-19 pandemic. Together with the Southeast Asia Plant Protection (SEAPPRO), IPB University, this seminar and congress were arranged to establish many potential collaborations between researchers, practitioners, and governments within and between members while also strengthening the relationship of all parties. This seminar also served as a medium to enhance international research publications, especially in Southeast Asia.The ISSAAS SEAPPRO International Seminar and Congress 2022 brought up the theme “Smart Agriculture: Opportunities and Challenges” and primarily focused on the coming of age of agricultural technology in the 4.0 industry. Participants, keynotes and invited speakers shared and presented their latest research findings focusing in smart agriculture approaches in this meeting. These could hopefully be one way to promote the adoption of various technologies in the field of smart agriculture. With new emerging challenges in the agriculture’s climate, smart agriculture has the potential to balance near-food security and livelihood needs by providing the agriculture industry which includes farms, livestock, crops, aquaculture, and fisheries with integrated approaches to leverage environmentally friendly advanced technology. Adopting smart agriculture, such as big data, agricultural machinery, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, drones, GPS, sensors, and many other advanced agricultural technologies may also invoke the enthusiasm and involvement of the younger generation in agriculture.The conference was an excellent forum for those who were involved in scientific disciplines on emerging issues and trends in innovative technology and science. The new era teaches us to become more adaptive and agile to many uncertainties, to enhance cooperation with soft diplomacy, and to develop our confidence in overcoming the problems relating to agriculture such as crop production, soil and water management, plant protection, landscape and urban farming, etc. For that reason, this seminar and congress shared another new perspective on innovative technology in smart agriculture, which is rapidly evolving.The event featured two keynote speakers, four invited speakers, 170 oral presenters, and 56 poster presenters over the course of two days. The participants of this seminar and congress came from many institutions, both national and international. On the third day, we organized a trip for the participants to PT Prima Agro tech, the biggest biological pesticide industry in Indonesia, and mangrove restoration and land reclamation in Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia.On behalf of the Organizing Committee, we would like to thank all of the participants who contributed to this seminar and congress, as well as all of our peer reviewers who assisted with the publication process. Special appreciation and recognition are also due to our event sponsors, PT Syngenta Indonesia, PT Prima Agro Tech, PT Sumber Sawit Mas Sarana, Alishter, Indonesia Cropcare Association, CropLife Indonesia, PT Agricon Indonesia, and PT Inti Ever Spring.List of Committee is available in this pdf.

A novel NADH-dependent leucine dehydrogenase for multi-step cascade synthesis of L-phosphinothricin

L-Phosphinothricin (L-PPT) is the effective constituent in racemic PPT (a high-efficiency and broad-spectrum herbicide), and the exploitation of green and sustainable synthesis route for L-PPT has always been the focus in pesticide industry. In recent years, “one-pot, two-step” enzyme-mediated cascade strategy is a mainstream pathway to obtain L-PPT. Herein, RgDAAO and BsLeuDH were applied to expand “one-pot, two-step” process. Notably, a NADH-dependent leucine dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis (BsLeuDH) was firstly characterized and attempted to generate L-PPT, achieving an excellent enantioselectivity (99.9% ee). Meanwhile, a formate dehydrogenase from Pichia pastoris (PpFDH) was utilized to implement NADH cofactor regeneration and only CO2 was by-product. Sufficient amount of the corresponding keto acid precursor PPO was obtained by oxidation of D-PPT relying on a D-amino acid oxidase from Rhodotorula gracilis (RgDAAO) with content conversion (46.1%). L-PPT was ultimately prepared from racemized PPT via oxidative deamination catalyzed by RgDAAO and reductive amination catalyzed by BsLeuDH, achieving 80.3% overall yield and > 99.9% ee value.

Sources, Components, Structure, Catalytic Mechanism and Applications: a Critical Review on Nicotinate Dehydrogenase.

Plant-derived insecticide-neonicotinoid insecticides (NIs) played a crucial role in the development of agriculture and food industry in recent years. Nevertheless, synthesis of these nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds with an effective and greener routing remains challenging especially to the notion raise of "green chemistry" and "atom economy". While bio-catalyzed methods mediated by nicotinate dehydrogenase (NDHase) then provide an alternative. The current review mainly focuses on the introduction of sources, components, structure, catalytic mechanism and applications of NDHase. Specifically, NDHase is known as nicotinic acid hydroxylase and the sources principally derived from phylum Proteobacteria. In addition, NDHase requires the participation of the electron respiratory chain system on the cell membrane. And the most important components of the electron respiratory chain are hydrogen carrier, which is mainly composed of iron-sulfur proteins (Fe-S), flavin dehydrogenase (FAD), molybdenum binding protein and cytochromes. Heterologous expression studies were hampered by the plasmid and host with high efficiency and currently only Pseudomonas entomophila L48 as well as Comamonas testosterone was successfully utilized for the expression of NDHase. Furthermore, it is speculated that the conjugate and inductive effects of the substituent group at position 3 of the substrate pyridine ring exerts a critical role in the hydroxylation reactions at position 6 concerning about the substrate molecular recognition mechanism. Finally, applications of NDHase are addressed in terms of pesticide industry and wastewater treatment. On conclusion, this critical review would not only deepen our understanding of the theory about NDHase, but also provides the guideline for future investigation of NDHase.

Paraquat, Parkinson's Disease, and Agnotology.

Paraquat, Parkinson's Disease, and Agnotology.

Characterization and properties of hexaconazole-loaded nanoparticles prepared by anti-solvent method

Compared with traditional pesticides, nano-pesticides exhibit better sustained release ability and higher utilization rate. Up to now, it is still a challenging task to prepare nano-pesticides efficiently. In this study, nanoparticles (NPs) using zein and cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) loaded with hexaconazole (HEX) via electrostatic self-assembly was synthesize. The particle size, ζ potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), stability, antifungal activity, spread ability and sustained release of NPs were explored. The average diameter of observed NPs was 187 nm through Dynamic Light Scattering(DLS) and Polymer Dispersity Index (PDI) showed low value (˂0.2). The NPs surface was positively charged and the ζ potential was measured at 36 mV. The morphology of NPs exhibited a spherical shape as observed by SEM. The NPs were stably stored at room temperature for at least 28 days. NPs with same HEX concentration exhibited better antifungal activity than hexaconazole wettable powder (HEX WP). Furthermore, HEX-loaded zein/CPAM NPs improved the spread ability. These results indicated that HEX-loaded zein/CPAM NPs can be used as a highly efficient antifungal material in the pesticide industry with potential applications.

Poisoning Regulation, Research, Health, and the Environment: The Glyphosate-Based Herbicides Case in Canada.

Despite discourse advocating pesticide reduction, there has been an exponential increase in pesticide use worldwide in the agricultural sector over the last 30 years. Glyphosate-Based Herbicides (GBHs) are the most widely used pesticides on the planet as well as in Canada, where a total of almost 470 million kilograms of declared "active" ingredient glyphosate was sold between 2007 and 2018. GBHs accounted for 58% of pesticides used in the agriculture sector in Canada in 2017. While the independent scientific literature on the harmful health and environmental impacts of pesticides such as GBHs is overwhelming, Canada has only banned 32 "active" pesticide ingredients out of 531 banned in 168 countries, and reapproved GBHs in 2017 until 2032. This article, based on interdisciplinary and intersectoral research, will analyze how as a result of the scientific and regulatory captures of relevant Canadian agencies by the pesticide industry, the Canadian regulation and scientific assessment of pesticides are deficient and lagging behind other countries, using the GBH case as a basis for analysis. It will show how, by embracing industry narratives and biased evidence, by being receptive to industry demands, and by opaque decision making and lack of transparency, Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) promotes commercial interests over the imperatives of public health and environmental protection.

Collective Variables for Conformational Polymorphism in Molecular Crystals.

Controlling polymorphism in molecular crystals is crucial in the pharmaceutical, dye, and pesticide industries. However, its theoretical description is extremely challenging, due to the associated long time scales (>1 μs). We present an efficient procedure for identifying collective variables that promote transitions between conformational polymorphs in molecular dynamics simulations. It involves applying a simple dimensionality reduction algorithm to data from short (∼ps) simulations of the isolated conformers that correspond to each polymorph. We demonstrate the utility of our method in the challenging case of the important energetic material, CL-20, which has three anhydrous conformational polymorphs at ambient pressure. Using these collective variables in Metadynamics simulations, we observe transitions between all solid polymorphs in the biased trajectories. We reconstruct the free energy surface and identify previously unknown defect and intermediate forms in the transition from one known polymorph to another. Our method provides insights into complex conformational polymorphic transitions of flexible molecular crystals.

GLOBAL PESTICIDE MARKET: SIZE, TRENDS, FORECASTS

Worldwide pesticides are used by farmers for growing more food on less land by protecting crops from pests, diseases and weeds as well as raising productivity per hectare. Also, pesticides enable farmers to produce safe, quality foods at affordable prices. Therefore, the market for agricultural pesticides is anticipated to rise by $ 26.23 billion between 2021 and 2025. Pesticide residues can be discovered in a wide range of common foods and drinks, such as prepared meals, water, wine, fruit juices, snacks, and animal feeds. Furthermore, it should be noticed that chemical pesticides have been linked to a variety of detrimental health consequences, including impacts on the skin, gastrointestinal system, nervous system, respiratory system, reproductive system, and endocrine system. The current review was carried out using an objective mixture of primary and secondary information, including inputs from key participants in pesticides industry. Also, it aims at highlighting the urgent need for a new concept in agriculture involving a drastic reduction in the use of chemical pesticides, driving the market to bio-based pesticides.

Microbial degradation of quinoline by immobilized bacillussubtilis

Quinoline containing effluent discharged from pharmaceuticals, dyes and pesticide industries pollute the environment affecting human health due to its toxicity and nauseating odor. Quinoline is carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic to the environment. Biotreatment is a viable process as quinoline gets easily degraded by microbes. We isolated a bacterium from the soil suspension of paper mill effluent and it was analyzed by Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh from biochemical, morphological and physiological tests. The test results match with Bacillus subtilis as per the Bergey's manual of systematic Bacteriology. Quinoline mineralization by free and immobilized cells was studied. Adsorption technique was used for immobilization. 100 ppm of quinoline was completely degraded in 45 h by the free cells whereas cells immobilized on coconut shell carbon takes only 30 h. Cells on coconut shell carbon are capable of degrading even 300 ppm quinoline completely in 70 h. It was also found that cells immobilized on activated coconut shell carbon were more effective than cells on foam pieces. The optimum pH for efficient quinoline degradation was 9. The stability and recyclability of immobilized cells for 3 months at different concentrations for quinoline degradation was tested by performing an experiment. The excellent storage stability and recyclability of immobilized Bacillus subtilis can be critically used for the mineralization of heterocyclic organics in wastewater.

Acaricidal efficiency of solar 50 % new emulsifiable concentrate formulation against the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) under laboratory and greenhouse conditions

Oils are some of the most efficient and secure alternatives to synthetic fungicides, acaricides and insecticides used as pesticides for decades. Around the world, mineral oils are a potential pesticide against many pests. To provide novel active ingredients and new pesticide formulations to the pesticide industry, the major goal of this research was to formulate one of the petroleum fractions and test its acaricidal efficiency against two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae). Solar's physical features were put to the test. Then, it was prepared as an emulsifiable concentrate following the guidelines provided by specialized pesticide organizations for this kind of formulation. The novel formulation was subsequently biologically tested against T. urticae adults in the lab, and it demonstrated good acaricidal activity with an LC50 of 4548 ppm. Under greenhouse conditions, it was also tested against T. urticae immature, adults (males and females) and number of deposited eggs. There was a direct correlation for all stages between concentration, the percentage of immature and adult mortality, and the percentage of egg-hatching inhibition. In the case of the immature, 100% mortality was shown after 7 days of treatment. However, in the case of adult males and females, 100% mortality was shown after 3 days of treatment. Additionally, after 14 days from treatment, it entirely stopped egg depositing. The new formulation might be applied to manage the TSSM.

Pentachlorophenol causes redox imbalance, inhibition of brush border membrane and metabolic enzymes, DNA damage and histological alterations in rat kidney

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a synthetic organochlorine compound that is widely used in biocide and pesticide industries, and in preservation of wood, fence posts, cross arms and power line poles. Humans are usually exposed to PCP through air, contaminated water and food. PCP enters the body and adversely affects liver, gastrointestinal tract, kidney and lungs. PCP is a highly toxic class 2B or probable human carcinogen that produces large amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within cells. This work aimed to determine PCP-induced oxidative damage in rat kidney. Adult rats were given PCP (25, 50, 100, 150 mg/kg body weight), in corn oil, once a day for 5 days while control rats were given similar amount of corn oil by oral gavage. PCP increased hydrogen peroxide level and oxidation of thiols, proteins and lipids. The antioxidant status of kidney cells was compromised in PCP treated rats while enzymes of brush border membrane (BBM) and carbohydrate metabolism were inhibited. Plasma level of creatinine and urea was also increased. Administration of PCP increased DNA fragmentation, cross-linking of DNA to proteins and DNA strand scission in kidney. Histological studies supported biochemical findings and showed significant damage in the kidneys of PCP-treated rats. These changes could be due to redox imbalance or direct chemical modification by PCP or its metabolites. These results signify that PCP-induced oxidative stress causes nephrotoxicity, dysfunction of BBM enzymes and DNA damage.

Bacteriophages diversity in India's major river Ganga: a repository to regulate pathogenic bacteria in the aquatic environment.

Bacteriophages are key viruses that can kill thousands of harmful microbes generally present at polluted sites. Such bacteriophages are abundantly present in the river Ganga, where millions of people in India and abroad drink its water and take baths every day for spiritual reasons. Besides bacteriophages, several pathogenic and zoonotic microbes are present in the river Ganga. It is interesting to study the diversity and abundance of bacteria and their respective phages present in polluted or non-polluted sites. Thus, the metagenomics study was carried out at the most polluted sites of river Ganga near Kanpur and non-polluted sites at Farakka, which harbors several harmful bacteria and their phages. The results revealed a significantly higher percentage of Microviridae phage family, ssDNA viruses, and Mimiviridae virus family near Kanpur than Farakka. In addition, compared to Kanpur, Farakka has a more significant percentage of Myoviridae, an unidentified phage family, and Retroviridae viral families. Despite heavy drainage of untreated and contaminated effluents from the leather industry, pesticide industry, paper mills, metropolitan cities, and other sources, the vast number of said phages kills several harmful pathogenic microbes in polluted sites to maintain the Ganga water's healing power or natural sterility. In a polluted aquatic environment, the varieties of bacteriophages were identified in the Ganga and their interaction with the microbial host. The taxonomic diversity of several bacteriophages found in pathogenic host systems was investigated to get exceptional knowledge of these small viruses in the aquatic environment.