Risk Of Environmental Contamination Research Articles

Characterisation of microbial communities and quantification of antibiotic resistance genes in Italian wastewater treatment plants using 16S rRNA sequencing and digital PCR

The spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in humans, animals and environment is a growing threat to public health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are crucial in mitigating the risk of environmental contamination by effectively removing contaminants before discharge. However, the persistence of ARB and ARGs even after treatment is a challenge for the management of water system.To comprehensively assess antimicrobial resistance dynamics, we conducted a one-year monitoring study in three WWTPs in central Italy, both influents and effluents. We used seasonal sampling to analyze microbial communities by 16S rRNA, as well as to determine the prevalence and behaviour of major ARGs (sul1, tetA, blaTEM, blaOXA-48, blaCTX-M-1 group, blaKPC) and the class 1 Integron (int1). Predominant genera included in order: Arcobacter, Acinetobacter, Flavobacterium, Pseudarcobacter, Bacteroides, Aeromonas, Trichococcus, Cloacibacterium, Pseudomonas and Streptococcus. A higher diversity of bacterial communities was observed in the effluents compared to the influents. Within these communities, we also identified bacteria that may be associated with antibiotic resistance and pose a significant threat to human health. The mean concentrations (in gene copies per liter, gc/L) of ARGs and int1 in untreated wastewater (absolute abundance) were as follows: sul1 (4.1 × 109), tetA (5.2 × 108), blaTEM (1.1 × 108), blaOXA-48 (2.1 × 107), blaCTX-M-1 group (1.1 × 107), blaKPC (9.4 × 105), and int1 (5.5 × 109). The mean values in treated effluents showed reductions ranging from one to three log. However, after normalizing to the 16S rRNA gene (relative abundance), it was observed that in 37.5 % (42/112) of measurements, the relative abundance of ARGs increased in effluents compared to influents. Furthermore, correlations were identified between ARGs and bacterial genera including priority pathogens. This study improves our understanding of the dynamics of ARGs and provides insights to develop more effective strategies to reduce their spread, protecting public health and preserving the future efficacy of antibiotics.

Nitrogen-Rich Sewage Sludge Mineralized Quickly, Improving Lettuce Nutrition and Yield, with Reduced Risk of Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil and Plant Tissues

Sewage sludge should primarily find use in agriculture, reducing the quantity directed towards alternative disposal methods like incineration or deposition in municipal landfills. This study evaluated the agronomic value and the risk of soil and plant tissue contamination with heavy metals in sewage sludge obtained from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The experiment was arranged as a 2 × 5 factorial (two sewage sludges, five sanitation treatments), involving lettuce cultivation in pots over two growing cycles. The two sewage sludges were sourced from the WWTPs of Gelfa and Viana do Castelo and underwent five sanitation and stabilization treatments (40% and 20% calcium oxide, 40% and 20% calcium hydroxide, and untreated sewage sludge). The Gelfa sewage sludge, characterized by a higher initial nitrogen (N) concentration, resulted in greater dry-matter yield (DMY) (12.4 and 8.6 g plant−1 for the first and second growing cycles, respectively) compared to that from Viana do Castelo (11.0 and 8.1 g plant−1), with N release likely being a major factor influencing crop productivity. The high N concentration and the low carbon (C)/N ratio of sewage sludge led to rapid mineralization of the organic substrate, which additionally led to a higher release of other important nutrients, such as phosphorus (P) and boron (B), making them available for plant uptake. Alkalizing treatments further stimulated sewage sludge mineralization, increasing soil pH and exchangeable calcium (Ca), thereby enhancing Ca availability for plants, and indicating a preference for use in acidic soils. Cationic micronutrients were minimally affected by the sewage sludge and their treatments. The concentrations of heavy metals in the sewage sludge, soils, and lettuce tissues were all below internationally established threshold limits. This study highlighted the high fertilizing value of these sewage sludges, supplying N, P, and B to plants, while demonstrating a low risk of environmental contamination with heavy metals. Nevertheless, the safe use of sewage sludge by farmers depends on monitoring other risks, such as toxic organic compounds, which were not evaluated in this study.

Evaluation of pathogen spread risk from excavated landfill

Landfill is a huge pathogen reservoir and needs special attention. Herein, the distribution and spread risk of pathogen were assessed in excavated landfill scenario. The results show that landfill excavation will greatly increase the risk of environmental microbial contamination. The highest total concentration of culturable bacteria among landfill refuse, topsoil and plant leaves was found to be as high as 1010 CFU g−1. Total coliforms, Hemolytic bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, Enterococci, and Fecal coliforms were detected in the landfill surrounding environment. Notably, pathogens were more likely to adhere to plant leaves, making it an important source of secondary pathogens. The culturable bacteria concentration in the air samples differed with the landfill zone with different operation status, and the highest culturable bacteria concentration was found in the excavated area of the landfill (3.3 × 104 CFU m−3), which was the main source of bioaerosol release. The distribution of bioaerosols in the downwind outside of the landfill showed a tendency of increasing and then decreasing, and the highest concentration of bioaerosols outside of the landfill (6.56 × 104 CFU m−3) was significantly higher than that in the excavated area of the landfill. The risk of respiratory inhalation was the main pathway leading to infection, whereas the HQin (population inhalation hazardous quotient) at 500 m downwind the excavation landfill was still higher than 1, indicating that the neighboring residents were exposed to airborne microbial pollutants. The results of the study provide evidence for bioaerosols control protective measures taken to reduce health risk from the excavated landfill.

Sludge-derived biochar as an additive in cement mortar: Mechanical strength and life cycle assessment (LCA)

Given the growing concern about environmental contamination risks, the management of sewage sludge (SS) from wastewater treatment plants is becoming more challenging. Thus, alternative pathways that offer value-added opportunities with minimal environmental impacts are needed. This study investigates the use of 0.52 wt% biochar (BC) powders generated from the pyrolysis of the SS in an N2 or CO2 environment, as an additive in cement mortar mixtures. The effect of dry and pre-wetted BC on the fresh properties, phase formation, compressive and tensile strength properties of cement mortar mixtures were assessed. Thereafter, life cycle assessment (LCA) of Plain and BC-modified mortar mixtures were evaluated, and the environmental impacts arising thereof were quantified. Results showed that whereas the BC had an infinitesimal effect on mix fresh properties, it caused approximately 1734% and 10–18% increases in compressive and tensile strength, respectively. Regardless of the pyrolysis condition, pre-wetted BC had a superior impact on mechanical strength evolution. LCA results showed that except for minor, net increases in particulate matter/water consumption potential, the rest of the impact categories associated with the production of 1 m3 of cement mortar decreased with the addition of the BC. In terms of Global Warming Potential (GWP) per unit 28d compressive strength, the BC-modified mixtures yielded values that were lower than that of the Plain mortar by about 1629%. Therefore, these research findings indicate that the use of SS-derived BC as a low-dose additive in cement composites could help the construction industry mitigate its negative environmental footprints.

Changes in coal waste DOM chemodiversity and Fe/Al oxides during weathering drive the fraction conversion of heavy metals

The long-term accumulation of coal waste on the surface during natural weathering leads to the inevitable migration of heavy metals contained in the coal waste, which increases the likelihood of environmental contamination and health risks. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Fe/Al oxides play crucial roles in the transformation and bioavailability of heavy metals. Thus, we analyzed the Fe/Al oxide content and DOM molecular composition in coal waste with different degrees of weathering and explored the influence of DOM chemical diversity and Fe/Al oxides on the potential mobility of heavy metals. Results showed that weathering-driven decrease in Fe oxides (Fed, FeO, and Fep decreased from 82.4, 37.5, and 3.6 mg∙L−1 to 41.3, 24.7, and 2.3 mg∙L−1, respectively) led to decreases in the reducible fractions of V and Cr. The potential environmental risks of more toxic metals of Cd and As, also increased as a result of the residual fractions decreased to 32.6 % and 41.3 %, respectively. Weathering caused an increase in oxygen-to‑carbon ratio, double-bond equivalent, modified aromaticity index, nominal oxidation state of carbon, and molecular diversity and a decrease in (m/z)w and (H/C)w, suggesting that the DOM of highly weathered coal waste possessed high unsaturation, aromatic structures, hydrophilicity, and strong oxidative characteristics. Additionally, although VMF and CrMF showed significant negative correlations with O/C ratio, polyphenolic, carbohydrates, and condensed aromatics, pH remained a key environmental factor determining the potential environmental risks of V and Cr by changing the residual fractions. The mobilities of Cd and As were significantly negatively correlated with those of Fe/Al oxides, particularly Fed, FeO, Fep, and Alp. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the impact of weathering on the geochemical cycling of different coal waste components, providing priority options for environmental risk prevention and control in coal mining areas.

Environmental Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Stream Sediments of Oued Kasseb (Northerwest of Tunisia) in the Vicinity of Abandoned Pb–Zn Mine

Environmental Contamination and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Stream Sediments of Oued Kasseb (Northerwest of Tunisia) in the Vicinity of Abandoned Pb–Zn Mine

Acinetobacter baumannii, a Multidrug-Resistant Opportunistic Pathogen in New Habitats: A Systematic Review.

In recent years, humanity has begun to face a growing challenge posed by a rise in the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This has resulted in an alarming surge in fatalities and the emergence of increasingly hard-to-manage diseases. Acinetobacter baumannii can be seen as one of these resilient pathogens due to its increasing prevalence in hospitals, its resistance to treatment, and its association with elevated mortality rates. Despite its clinical significance, the scientific understanding of this pathogen in non-hospital settings remains limited. Knowledge of its virulence factors is also lacking. Therefore, in this review, we seek to shed light on the latest research regarding the ecological niches, microbiological traits, and antibiotic resistance profiles of Acinetobacter baumannii. Recent studies have revealed the presence of this bacterium in a growing range of environmental niches, including rivers, treatment plants, and soils. It has also been discovered in diverse food sources such as meat and vegetables, as well as in farm animals and household pets such as dogs and cats. This broader presence of Acinetobacter baumannii, i.e., outside of hospital environments, indicates a significant risk of environmental contamination. As a result, greater levels of awareness and new preventive measures should be promoted to address this potential threat to public health.

Nanotech for Crop Protection: Utilizing Nanoparticles for Targeted Pesticide Delivery

The use of pesticides plays a vital role in agriculture for protecting crops from pests and diseases. However, conventional delivery methods have drawbacks including toxicity, lack of efficiency, and negative environmental impacts. Nanotechnology offers solutions through nano-enabled smart pesticide delivery systems. These utilize nanoparticles as carriers that can encapsulate, absorb, or bind pesticides. Nanoparticles like liposomes, polymer nanoparticles, dendrimers, nanoemulsions, and nanocapsules allow for targeted and controlled release directly onto crops and pests. This improves pesticide efficacy while reducing toxicity and leakage into soil and water systems. Additional functionalization of nanoparticles can also improve targeting, uptake, and controlled environmental release. Examples include using ligands for binding to plant surfaces and pH-responsive nanoparticles that release pesticides following uptake by pests. The use of nanotechnology allows minimal use of pesticides, reducing environmental contamination and exposure risks. Challenges remain such as higher costs,Scaling up fabrication, assessing ecological impacts, and lack of standardized regulations. Further research and development of nano-enabled pesticide delivery can pave the way for next-generation crop protection solutions.

ENVISPRAY: A Methodology to Evaluate PAE (Pesticide Application Equipment) According to the Environmental Risk

Pesticide application equipment (PAE) is the last part of the chain during the plant protection process. The use-phase of plant protection products (PPP) has been addressed in two EU Directives: 128/2009/EC and 127/2009/EC. This last one covers all the mandatory technical requirements to be fulfilled by new sprayers prior to their placement in the market. The objective of this research was to develop a potential decision support system (DSS) to evaluate and quantify the degree of implementation of all the required characteristics of new sprayers, including not only the mandatory requirements but also specifications widely described in the corresponding harmonized standard ISO 16119. It includes 10 independent elements of the sprayer, including a list of technical specifications listed in the applied standards ISO 16119 and ISO 16122. The relative influence of every one of the different elements has been quantified based on previous research. The algorithm enables the establishment of an objective relative classification of the sprayers to differentiate among different machines, mainly based on their quantified environmental contamination risk. The DSS can also discriminate among sprayers that should not reach the market due to their non-compliance with any of the mandatory requirements.

An estimation and radioactivity measurement for radiocarbon(14C) in the Korean nuclear power plants

Radiocarbon (14C), with a radioactive half-life of approximately 5730 years, poses a long-term environmental contamination risk when released into the atmosphere. The quantification analysis of its release estimates plant-specific generation rates based on factors such as plant power, core neutron flux distribution, and the volume of water exposed to this flux. Utilizing the improved estimation method, the 14C production rate for several Korean Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) was calculated. Also, improvements in measurement methods through sampling have also been made. These enhancements include the verification of the absorption method versus the mixing method.The results of this study indicate that plant-specific 14C production rates range from 0.213 to 0.317 TBq/yr, which are comparable to the global range observed in PWRs. Furthermore, the study evaluated a quenching correction curve for a liquid scintillation counter using two quenching correction methods: the external standard method and the internal standard method. The accuracy of these methods with 72 samples was validated with an average relative error within ±2.5%. The relative error of the mixing method, when compared to the direct absorption method, was found to be within ±20%. This finding underscores the validity of the improved measurement technique.

Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Determination of Natural Radioactivity in the Soil-Thyme System in Omerli, Istanbul: Assessment of Ecological and Health Risk

A significant pathway for human exposure to environmental pollutants is the metal transfer from soil to plants. In this study accumulation of different metals was investigated and natural radioactivity levels were measured in the soil–thyme system. It was found that the soil had higher concentrations of Br, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb than the world average and P, Ca, and Zn had higher transfer factors. The natural radioactivity level in the soils is similar to the World average. For thyme samples the average values for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found as 22.7 ± 10.9 Bqkg-1, 61.3 ± 19.9 Bqkg-1 and 722 ± 391 Bqkg-1, respectively. The health and ecological risks of soil were evaluated. The total hazard index of the child was 1.453 on average, greater than that of the adult (0.175), primarily due to the contribution of Cr. Ecological risk assessed based on various indices indicated that Pb and Ni show environmental contamination risk. Our findings confirm that metal concentrations in plants are influenced by metal concentrations in soil, and that metal interactions are important for pollution risk management.

DENSIDADE DE SEMENTES E APLICAÇÃO FOLIAR DE FERTILIZANTE ORGANOMINERAL À BASE DE CÁLCIO E POTÁSSIO NA CULTURA DA AVEIA

Purpose: To present the benefits of increasing oat sowing density on productivity, uniformity, soil quality and reduction of pesticides and the use of an organomineral product based on calcium and potassium as an alternative to lodging control, promoting more sustainable cultivation systems. Theoretical framework: Increasing plant density can promote productivity, rapid soil coverage, reduction of weeds and greater harvest uniformity, reducing the use of pesticides. However, increasing seeding density can promote lodging. Lodging is the phenomenon in which plants leave the vertical position and fall to the ground, affecting the quality of the grains. The commercial product registered to control lodging is highly toxic to the environment. Organomineral sources with potassium and calcium represent an alternative for controlling lodging with reduced environmental impacts. Results: Benefits of increased seeding density to promote grain yield have been found for several crop species, reinforcing the need for adapting seeding density for oat crops. The use trinexapac-ethyl as a growth regulator, it poses risks of phytotoxicity and environmental contamination. In this context, several studies have indicated that potassium and calcium favor cell wall rigidity, potentially contributing to oat stem strength. Originality/value: This study provides significant contribution to the advancement of research on oat in Brazil, bringing new information benefiting farmers, technical assistance agents, and the food industry and improving the production system to ensure food security and care for the environment.

Inulin alleviates perinatal 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPHP) exposure-induced intestinal toxicity by reshaping the gut microbiota and suppressing the enteric-origin LPS/TLR4/NF-κb pathway in dams and pups

Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), such as 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPHP), are ubiquitously used, leading to pervasive environmental contamination and human health risks. While associations between EHDPHP and health issues such as disruption of hormones, neurotoxic effects, and toxicity to reproduction have been recognized, exposure to EHDPHP during perinatal life and its implications for the intestinal health of dams and their pups have largely been unexplored. This study investigated the intestinal toxicity of EHDPHP and the potential for which inulin was effective. Dams were administered either an EHDPHP solution or a corn oil control from gestation day 7 (GD7) to postnatal day 21 (PND21), with inulin provided in their drinking water. Our results indicate that inulin supplementation mitigates damage to the intestinal epithelium caused by EHDPHP, restores mucus-secreting cells, suppresses intestinal hyperpermeability, and abates intestinal inflammation by curtailing lipopolysaccharide leakage through reshaping of the gut microbiota. A reduction in LPS levels concurrently inhibited the inflammation-associated TLR4/NF-κB pathway. In conclusion, inulin administration may ameliorate intestinal toxicity caused by EHDPHP in dams and pups by reshaping the gut microbiota and suppressing the LPS/TLR4/NF-κB pathway. These findings underscore the efficacy of inulin as a therapeutic agent for managing health risks linked to EHDPHP exposure.

Transport and health risk of legacy and emerging per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the water cycle in an urban area, China: Polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters are of concern

Polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs) are a group of emerging alternatives to the legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). To better understand the transport and risk of PAPs in the water cycle, 21 PFAS including 4 PAPs and 17 perfluoroalkyl acids were investigated in multiple waterbodies in an urban area, China. PFAS concentrations ranged from 85.8 to 206 ng/L, among which PAPs concentrations ranged from 35.0 to 71.8 ng/L, in river and lake water with major substances of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 6:2 fluorotelomer phosphate (6:2 monoPAP), and 8:2 fluorotelomer phosphate (8:2 monoPAP). As transport pathways, municipal wastewater and precipitation were investigated for PFAS mass loading estimation, and PAPs transported via precipitation more than municipal wastewater discharge. Concentrations of PFAS in tap water and raw source water were compared, and PAPs cannot be removed by drinking water treatment. In tap water, PFAS concentrations ranged from 132 to 271 ng/L and among them PAPs concentrations ranged from 41.6 to 61.9 ng/L. Human exposure and health risk to PFAS via drinking water were assessed, and relatively stronger health risks were induced from PFOS, PAPs, and PFOA. The environmental contamination and health risk of PAPs are of concern, and management implications regarding their sources, exposure, and hazards were raised.

Assessment of implementation of biosecurity measures and its impacts on Newcastle disease in some poultry farms and live bird markets in Sokoto State, Nigeria

There is considerable global concern over the outbreaks of Newcastle disease (ND) affecting domestic poultry flocks around the world including Nigeria. There have been little investigations on the biosecurity measures taken by poultry stakeholders in relation to the rate of ND in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Thus, this study evaluated the biosecurity practices in commercial poultry farms and live bird markets in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Data were collected through questionnaire administered to commercial farmers, flock owners at live bird markets as well as other poultry value chain intermediaries. A traffic light system model was used to test for relative risks based on the biosecurity measures put in place at the farm and live bird markets. The result indicates that both commercial farms and live bird markets were at high risk (56.9% and 77.3% respectively) of ND virus infection. The high risk practices identified include unsafe disposal of poultry carcasses (50%), locating farms on high ways (75%), absence of high pressure sprayer at gate (100%), presence of water body (37.5%), raising different species of birds (25% for farms and 100% for live bird markets), presence of multi age groups (100%), feed spillage (100%), fly and rodent infestation (100%), lack of personal protective equipment (50% for farms and 100% for live bird markets), absence of changing room (87.5%), poor handling of sick birds (75% for farms and 100% for live bird markets), inadequate washing and disinfection of hands and equipment (100%). Using chi square, presence of fence, washing and disinfection of pen, washing and disinfection of equipment, always allowing visitors to enter farm, borrowing of equipment, sale of runt and sick birds, isolation of sick/new birds, culling of diseased birds, safe and clean store for feed, observing signs of ND in the last 3 months showed significant statistical difference (P<0.05) between live bird markets and poultry houses. Thus, that may contribute to the risk of environmental contamination and disease transmission. Outreach and biosecurity awareness raising initiatives should be specifically developed for all the poultry value chain stakeholders with the objective of improving general poultry management and thus preventing ND and other poultry diseases.

The potential of Rhodobacter sphaeroides extract as an alternative supplement for cell culture systems.

It is essential to identify suitable supplements that enhance cell growth, viability, and functional development in cell culture systems. The use of fetal bovine serum (FBS) has been common, but it has limitations, such as batch-to-batch variability, ethical concerns, and risks of environmental contamination. In this study, we explore the potential of Rhodobacter sphaeroides extract, derived from a probiotic photosynthetic bacterium, as an alternative supplement. Our results demonstrate that the extract from R. sphaeroides significantly improves various aspects of cell behavior compared to serum-free conditions. It enhances cell growth and viability to a greater extent than FBS supplementation. Additionally, the extract alleviates oxidative stress by reducing intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and stimulates lysosomal activity, contributing to cellular processes. The presence of abundant amino acids, glycine and arginine, in the extract may play a role in promoting cell growth. These findings emphasize the potential of R. sphaeroides extract as a valuable supplement for cell culture, offering advantages over the use of FBS.IMPORTANCEThe choice of supplements for cell culture is crucial in biomedical research, but the widely used fetal bovine serum (FBS) has limitations in terms of variability, ethics, and environmental risks. This study explores the potential of an extract from Rhodobacter sphaeroides, a probiotic bacterium, as an alternative supplement. The findings reveal that the R. sphaeroides extract surpasses FBS in enhancing cell growth, viability, and functionality. It also mitigates oxidative stress and stimulates lysosomal activity, critical for cellular health. The extract's abundance of glycine and arginine, amino acids with known growth-promoting effects, further highlights its potential. By providing a viable substitute for FBS, the R. sphaeroides extract addresses the need for consistent, ethical, and environmentally friendly cell culture supplements. This research paves the way for sustainable and reliable cell culture systems, revolutionizing biomedical research and applications in drug development and regenerative medicine.

Atividade residual e adsorção do tebuthiuron em diferentes solos

ABSTRACT Applications of tebuthiuron can increase the risks of environmental contamination and hinder the cultivation of sensitive species in succession. The objective of this work was to assess the residual activity and sorption of the herbicide tebuthiuron in soils with different physical and chemical attributes. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized design with four replicates. The experiment for determining residual activity was conducted in a 2 × 7 factorial arrangement consisted of two herbicide doses (0.6 and 1.2 kg a.i. [active ingredient] ha-1) and seven sowing times (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, and 360 days after herbicide application) in sandy loam and sandy clay loam soils. The experiment for evaluating sorption was conducted in a sandy loam soil and two clay loam soils with applications of increasing tebuthiuron doses (0.025, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, 0.70, and 0.80 kg a.i. ha-1). Regarding residual activity, the herbicide’s effect of the decreased over time, with no toxicity detected 360 days after application (DAA), regardless of the soils and doses used. Sandy loam soils had lower sorption, resulting in lower shoot dry weight and plant height and in higher phytotoxicity 21 days after emergence. Residual activity was detected 360 DAA in the studied soils. Tebuthiuron sorption was higher in soils with higher organic carbon and clay contents.

Determination of 55 Veterinary Antibiotics in Chicken Manure Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS)

A highly efficient method for the detection and quantification of 55 veterinary antibiotics (VAs) in chicken manure belonging to six drug classes using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) was developed. The mixture of EDTA–McIlvaine buffer (pH 3.0) and the organic extractant (methanol–acetonitrile, 1:3, v/v) was used to isolate the target VAs from freeze-dried chicken manure. The extract was purified by a hydrophile–lipophile balance cartridge. All antibiotics showed excellent linear relationships in the range between 1 and 100 µg/kg with the coefficients of determination of the standard curves above 0.990. The recoveries of antibiotics were between 35.66% and 103.54% using matrix-matched calibration for quantification. The limits of detection and quantification were from 0.01 to 1.59 µg/kg and 0.04 to 4.76 µg/kg, respectively. The method was demployed to determine VAs in chicken manure from 12 farms, revealing contamination in all samples. A total of 13 VAs belonging to six classes were detected with concentrations up to 41.47 mg/kg. The presence of high concentrations of antibiotic residues in poultry manure poses a potential risk for environmental contamination. This work has identified significant differences in the types of VAs compared to literature reports. Additionally, it detected pleuromutilin antibiotics in chicken manure for the first time.

PELATIHAN HIGIENE DAN SANITASI MAKANAN UNTUK KARYAWAN DI MOMOO JUICE BAR & CAFFE HARBOUR BAY KOTA BATAM

Training on food hygiene and sanitation is essential to ensure the safety and quality of food served to consumers. This training usually covers various aspects, such as personal hygiene practices, sanitizing kitchen equipment, safe food storage, and proper cleaning procedures. Typically, this training will cover topics such as: Personal Safety: Personal hygiene practices, such as proper hand washing, wearing clean work clothes, and handling food with clean hands. Sanitizing Equipment and Work Areas: How to clean and maintain kitchen equipment, including cleaning surfaces and work areas to prevent cross-contamination. Maintaining Food Conditions: How to store, process and prepare food to avoid contamination by bacteria or dangerous substances. Waste Management: Actions to safely dispose of waste and minimize the risk of environmental contamination. Food Safety Standards: Understand applicable food safety regulations and standards and the importance of compliance with these regulations.

Biological Characteristics and Thermal Requirements of Telenomus podisi and Trissolcus basalis (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) in Fresh and Cryopreserved Eggs of Euschistus heros and Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Brazil is one of the largest producers of pulses globally, and soybean ranks highly in terms of production. However, pests increase crop production costs and affect oilseed production and quality. Pests are primarily controlled by chemicals, leading to changes in insect pest populations. For example, secondary pests can become primary pests because of the selection of resistant insects and the elimination of natural enemies. Farmers have widely accepted biological control because of its high control efficacy and low environmental contamination risk. Two successful biological control programs in soybean used Telenomus podisi Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) to manage the Neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), and Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston, 1858) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae) to manage the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), when these pests were the most abundant in soybean-producing regions. To release parasitoids, rearing protocols must be developed in order to optimize production. This study evaluated the effect of temperature on the biological characteristics of T. podisi and T. basalis when fresh or frozen E. heros eggs were provided. Fifty fresh or previously frozen eggs were placed with parasitoids for 24 h in a climate chamber (25 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% RH, and 14-h photophase). At the end of this period, the eggs were transferred to other chambers and maintained at different temperatures (19, 22, 25, 28, 31, and 34 ± 1 °C, 70 ± 10% RH, with a 14-h photoperiod). The number of emerging adults from eggs parasitized by T. basalis was lower than that from eggs parasitized by T. podisi. Differences in T. basalis and T. podisi parasitism were observed depending on whether the E. heros eggs were frozen or fresh, but neither development nor emergence were affected. The duration of egg–adult development and the longevity of the two parasitoids were inversely proportional to the temperature increase. The sex ratio of T. basalis and T. podisi progeny was not affected by different temperatures or by the use of frozen or fresh eggs. The estimated number of both parasitoids’ generations corresponded with temperature, reaching 14–15 generations/cycle of soybean for Rio Verde, GO, and 12–14 generations/cycle for Barreiras, BA. Given these characteristics, we conclude that a biological control program using T. podisi can benefit large areas of soybean production by controlling the eggs of phytophagous bugs in soybean crops.