Toxicity Of Pesticides Research Articles

Frontiers in bacterial-based green synthesized nanoparticles (NPs): A sustainable strategy for combating infectious plant pathogens

The excessive use and inappropriate application of synthetic pesticides on essential agricultural crops, intended to them from harmful pests, have resulted in severe environmental pollution. Additionally, the penetration of these toxic pesticide residues into the edible parts of plants has raised significant health concerns for humans and animals by developing respiratory problems, neurological disorders, and cancers. In response, nanotechnology has emerged as a promising alternative, enabling the development of highly reliable, minuscule nanoparticles (NPs) in size of 1–100 nm (nm) with diverse morphologies. These NPs offer an alternative approach to managing plant pathogens compared to traditional pesticides. Although various synthetic NPs have been produced using different elements, their persistence in plant tissues, soil, and water presents significant challenges. Conversely, the synthesis of biologically-derived green NPs, particularly those from bacteria, is considered a safer method for controlling plant pathogens. Bacteria-based green NPs are advantageous due to the rapid growth proliferation of bacteria and their resilience to extreme conditions. However, their synthesis and application remain limited, with scant research exploring against infectious plant pathogens. This study reviews recent literature on the synthesis of bacteria-based NPs, detailing their morphological, structural, chemical, optical, electronic, electrical, and magnetic properties, along with their thermal characteristics. By elucidating the mechanisms by which these NPs combat phytopathogens, this research provide crucial insight for future applications, enhancing our understanding of bacteria-based NPs research. The wealth of recent research on bacteria-based green NPs is anticipated to enrich future applications and deepen our understanding of this emerging field.

Combined effects of polyethylene terephthalate and abamectin on enzymatic activity and histopathology response in juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio).

One of the most pressing global environmental issues is the widespread abundance and distribution of microplastics (MPs). MPs can act as vectors for other contaminants in the environment making these small plastic particles hazardous for ecosystems. The presence of MPs in aquatic environments may pose threats to aquatic organisms that ingest them. This study examined effects of abamectin (ABM) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MP fragments on histopathological and enzymatic biomarkers in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish were exposed for 96 h to pristine PET-MPs at concentrations of 5 mg/L and 10 mg/L, ABM alone at 0.006 mg/L, and the same concentration of ABM in the presence of PET-MPs in aquaria. Histopathological analysis revealed tissue content changes in liver and kidney in the presence of ABM individually and in combination with MPs. Results of enzymatic analysis showed that MPs increased the bioavailability and toxicity of pesticides due to inhibition of catalase (CAT) and acid phosphatase (ACP) enzymes. However, MPs did not affect the toxicity of ABM for glutathione s-transferase (GST) enzyme. Despite the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in MPs or ABM treatments, and some neurotoxicity, no change in activity of this enzyme and neurotoxicity was observed in the combined MPs and ABM treatments, although toxicity effects of MPs and ABM on zebrafish require more detailed studies.

Combined toxic effects of fluxapyroxad and multi-walled carbon nanotubes in Xenopus laevis larvae

Carbon nanomaterials rarely exist in isolation in the natural environment, and their combined effects cannot be ignored. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have shown tremendous potential applications in diverse fields, including pollution remediation, biomedicine, energy, and smart agriculture. However, the combined toxicities of MWCNTs and pesticides on non-target organisms, particularly amphibians, are often overlooked. Fluxapyroxad (FLX), a significant succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor fungicide, has been extensively utilized for the protection of food and cash crops and control of fungi. This raises the possibility of coexistence of MWCNTs and FLX. The objective of this study was to explore the individual and combined toxic effects of FLX and MWCNTs on the early life stages of Xenopus laevis. Embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of FLX (0, 5, and 50 μg/L) either alone or in combination with MWCNTs (100 μg/L) for a duration of 17 days. The findings indicated that co-exposure to FLX and MWCNTs worsened the inhibition of growth, liver damage, and dysregulation of enzymatic activity in tadpoles. Liver transcriptomic analysis further revealed that the presence of MWCNTs exacerbated the disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism caused by FLX. Additionally, the combined exposure groups exhibited amplified alterations in the composition and function of the gut microflora. Our study suggests that it is imperative to pay greater attention to the agricultural applications, management and ecological risks of MWCNTs in the future, considering MWCNTs may significantly enhance the toxicity of FLX.

Residues of agrochemicals in beebread as an indicator of landscape management

The agricultural intensification represents a major threat to biodiversity, with negative effects on the ecosystem. In particular, habitat loss and degradation, along with pesticide use have been recognised as primary factors contributing to the actual global decline of pollinators. Here we investigated the quality of agroecosystems in the Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy) within the national monitoring project BeeNet. We analysed pesticide residues in 100 samples of beebread collected in 25 BeeNet stations in March and June 2021 and 2022. We evaluated diversity and concentration of these chemicals, their risk (TWC) to honey bees, and their correlation with land use. Overall, in 84 % of the samples we found 63 out of 373 different pesticide residues, >90 % of them belonging to fungicides and insecticides. The TWC exceeded the risk threshold in seven samples (TWCmix), mostly due to only one or two compounds. We also found 15 compounds not approved in the EU as plant protection products (PPPs), raising concerns about illegal use or contamination through beeswax recycling. Samples collected in 2021 and in June presented a significantly higher number of active ingredients and TWC than those collected in 2022 and in March. The TWC calculated on single compounds (TWCcom) exceeded the risk threshold in case of four insecticides, namely carbaryl, fipronil, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam (although each detected in only one sample). Finally, both TWC and number of active ingredients were moderately or highly positively correlated with the percentage of area covered by orchards. Considering that we found on average more than five different molecules per sample, and that we ignored potential synergistic effects, the results of this work highlight the alarming situation regarding pesticide treatments and toxicity risk for bees linked to the current agricultural practices, and the need for implementing sustainable and pollinator-friendly strategies.

Assessment of toxicity of pyriproxyfen, Bacillus thuringiensis, and malathion and their mixtures used for mosquito control on embryo-larval development and behavior of zebrafish.

Pyriproxyfen (PPF), Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI), and malathion (MLT) are widely used worldwide to control the population of mosquitos that transmit arboviruses. The current work aimed to evaluate the toxicity of these single pesticides and their binary mixtures of PPF + BTI, PPF + MLT, and MLT + BTI on the embryo-larval stage of zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an animal model. Epiboly, mortality, apical endpoints, affected animals, heart rate, morphometric, thigmotaxis, touch sensitivity, and optomotor response tests were evaluated. PPF and MLT and all mixtures reduced the epiboly percentage. Mortality increased significantly in all exposed groups, except BTI, with MLT being the most toxic. The observed apical endpoints were pericardial and yolk sac edemas, and tail and spine deformation. Exposure to MLT showed a higher percentage of affected animals. A reduction in heart rate was also observed in MLT- and PPF + MLT-exposed groups. The PPF + MLT mixture decreased head measurements. Behavioral alterations were observed, with a decrease in thigmotaxis and touch sensitivity responses in PPF + MLT and MLT + BTI groups. Finally, optomotor responses were affected in all groups. The above data obtained suggest that the MLT + PFF mixture has the greatest toxicity effects. This mixture affected embryo-larval development and behavior and is close to the reality in several cities that use both pesticides for mosquito control rather than single pesticides, leading to a reevaluation of the strategy for mosquito control.

Direct and specific detection of methyl-paraoxon using a highly sensitive fluorescence strategy combined with phosphatase-like nanozyme and molecularly imprinted polymer

Methyl paraoxon (MP) is a highly toxic, efficient and broad-spectrum organophosphorus pesticide, which poses significant risks to ecological environment and human health. Many detection methods for MP are based on the enzyme catalytic or inhibition effect. But natural biological enzymes are relatively expensive and easy to be inactivated with a short service life. As a unique tool of nanotechnology with enzyme-like characteristics, nanozyme has attracted increasing concern. However, a large proportion of nanozymes lack the intrinsic specificity, becoming a main barrier of constraining their use in biochemical analysis. Here, we use a one-pot reverse microemulsion polymerization combine the gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), polydopamine (PDA) and hollow CeO2 nanospheres to synthesize the bright red-orange fluorescence probe (CeO2@PDA@AuNCs-MIPs) with high phosphatase-like activity for selective detection of MP. The hollow structure possesses a specific surface area and porous matrix, which not only increases the exposure of active sites but also enhances the efficiency of mass and electron transport. Consequently, this structure significantly enhances the catalytic activity by reducing transport distances. The introduced MIPs provide the specific recognition sites for MP. And Ce (III) can excite aggregation induced emission of AuNCs and enhance the fluorescent signal. The absolute fluorescence quantum yield (FLQY) of CeO2@PDA@AuNCs-MIPs (1.41 %) was 12.8-fold higher than that of the GSH-AuNCs (0.11 %). With the presence of MP, Ce (IV)/Ce (III) species serve as the active sites to polarize and hydrolyze phosphate bonds to generate p-nitrophenol (p-NP), which can quench the fluorescent signal through the inner-filter effect. The as-prepared CeO2@PDA@AuNCs-MIPs nanozyme-based fluorescence method for MP detection displayed superior analytical performances with wide linearities range of 0.45–125 nM and the detection limit of 0.15 nM. Furthermore, the designed method offers satisfactory practical application ability. The developed method is simple and effective for the in-field detection.

Exploring the synergistic toxicity of synthetic pesticides and their impact on development and behavior of Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)

Exploring the synergistic toxicity of synthetic pesticides and their impact on development and behavior of Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Following the Aluminum Phosphide Poisoning: A Case Report

Aluminum Phosphide (ALP) is an effective, cheap, and highly toxic pesticide. ALP poisoning can have destructive effects on the human body, such as the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and central nervous system, although all organs can be involved. We describe a 53-year-old Iranian Kurdish man with Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Supportive treatments such as hemodialysis and plasmapheresis were performed. After 23 days of hospitalization, the patient fully recovered and was discharged. Thrombotic microangiopathy such as HUS should be considered in patients with ALP toxicity that has a genetic defect in complement proteins. Combined use of hemodialysis and plasmapheresis improve outcomes in these patients.

Covalent adduct formation of histone with organophosphorus pesticides in vitro

It is established that organophosphorus pesticide (OPP) toxicity results from modification of amino acids in active sites of target proteins. OPPs can also modify unrelated target proteins such as histones and such covalent histone modifications can alter DNA-binding properties and lead to aberrant gene expression. In the present study, we report on non-enzymatic covalent modifications of calf thymus histones adducted to selected OPPs and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in vitro using a bottom-up proteomics method approach. Histones were not found to form detectable adducts with the two tested OPFRs but were avidly modified by a few of the seven OPPs that were tested in vitro. Dimethyl phosphate (or diethyl phosphate) adducts were identified on Tyr, Lys and Ser residues. Most of the dialkyl phosphate adducts were identified on Tyr residues. Methyl and ethyl modified histones were also detected. Eleven amino residues in histones showed non-enzymatic covalent methylation by exposure of dichlorvos and malathion. Our bottom-up proteomics approach showing histone-OPP adduct formation warrants future studies on the underlying mechanism of chronic illness from exposure to OPPs.

Studies on Morphological Effect of Some Pesticides on Fresh Water Fish, Labeo rohita in Sai River of Jaunpur District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Pesticides are one of the potentially harmful toxic chemicals introduced into the aquatic environment. Fish serve as important bio-indicators for aquatic life. Widely used pesticides formulation two investigate possible chemical biological and toxicological effects of pesticides that may enter into our eco-system. Effects of pesticides (herbicides insecticides, rodenticides and fungicides) to loss protein content of the liver gill and intestinal tissue of the fresh water fish, Labeorohita.The Recent study is aimed two assess the toxicological impacts of treated and untreated effluents on aquatic fresh water fish, Labeo rohita. The Most common edible fish having diverse characters includes difference in morphology, food and feeding etc. Symptoms were nearly identical on various host spp (Labeo rohita. with respect to behaviour of the infected fish. The toxicity of pesticides to an organism is usualy expressed in terms of the LD50 (lethal dose 50 percent) and LC50 (50 percent lethal concentration) observed the behavioural studies of exposed to Labeorohita. Therefore, the protection and prevention of aquatic ecosystem will be possible only with the appropriate and rationalized application of pesticides.

Comprehensive ecotoxicological assessment of pesticides on multiple avian species: Employing quantitative structure-toxicity relationship (QSTR) modeling and read-across

The rapid increase in the use of pesticides is driven by the growing demand in the agricultural sector. However, the widespread application of these pesticides and their inherent toxicity have significant repercussions on the ecosystem, particularly impacting animal and bird species. In this present study, we have developed four 2D quantitative structure-toxicity relationships (QSTRs) models for four different avian species using the largest number of available experimental data points to date employing the partial least squares (PLS) algorithm. Furthermore, we have also performed the read-across algorithm to improve the test set results. Based on the information derived from the models, it was found that hydrophilic characteristics, the presence of molecular branching and thio imide groups impact negatively to the pesticide toxicity, while the presence of phosphate group, presence of halogens viz. chlorine and bromine atoms, presence of hetero atoms, high molecular weight, presence of bridgehead atoms, presence of secondary aliphatic amide and fragments like RCONHR escalates avian toxicity. The developed QSTR models were further employed to predict the Pesticide Properties DataBase (PPDB) for all four avian species as a measure of data gap-filling and risk assessment. Thus, the developed models can be utilized for eco-toxicological data-gap filling, prediction of toxicity of untested pesticides as well as the development of novel and safe environmental-friendly pesticides.

Application of green synthesized Ag and Cu nanoparticles for the control of bruchids and their impact on seed quality and yield in greengram

Storage pests, particularly bruchids, are major biotic constraints causing significant storage losses in pulses. Conventional control methods relying on insecticides and fumigants often lead to food contamination due to toxic pesticide residues and a rapid decline in seed germination. In this investigation, through green nano-technological application, a promising and sustainable alternative for pest management is developed. Silver and copper nanoparticles were synthesized through ocimum leaf extract. The characterization of silver and copper nanoparticles was carried out by UV-spectroscopy, particle size analyzer, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared. Both the nanoparticles were spherical and crystalline in nature. Greengram seeds were primed with standardized silver and copper nanoparticles at different concentrations (1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm) and compared with castor-treated, deltamethrin-treated, and untreated control seeds for seed quality, growth, and yield. After one month of storage, all the pulse beetles released in different treatments exhibited 100 % mortality, whereas in control, the insects multiplied. At the end of nine months, the control seeds had shown 72 % damage and 39.67 % germination. In contrast, silver nanoparticles at 1000 ppm showed no seed damage and achieved 81.67 % germination, which was on par with copper nanoparticles at 1000 ppm with 79.33 % germination. Seed priming of silver and copper nanoparticles at 1000 ppm also demonstrated superior performance in all the seed quality and biochemical parameters (alpha amylase and catalase) throughout the storage period. Whereas, in the greenhouse experiment, enhanced growth (35.96 cm, 46.48 cm, and 53.00 cm at 30, 60 DAS, and at harvest, respectively) and yield per plant (3.75 g) were significantly higher in plants that were given foliar application with silver nanoparticles at 1000 ppm. Furthermore, foliar application of these nanoparticles at all concentrations (1000, 1500, and 2000 ppm) did not exhibit any adverse effects on soil microbial organisms, as assessed by dehydrogenase enzyme activity. Hence, this research highlights the potential use of silver and copper nanoparticles at 1000 ppm as effective tools for storage pest management and contributing to improved agricultural productivity and sustainability.

Variation in Pesticide Toxicity in the Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Associated with Consuming Phytochemically Different Monofloral Honeys

Insecticide toxicity to insect herbivores has long been known to vary across different host plants; this phenomenon has been widely documented in both foliage-feeders and sap-feeders. Species-specific phytochemical content of hostplant tissues is assumed to determine the pattern of induction of insect enzymes that detoxify insecticides, but specific phytochemicals have rarely been linked to host plant-associated variation in pesticide toxicity. Moreover, no studies to date have examined the effects of nectar source identity and phytochemical composition on the toxicity of insecticides to pollinators. In this study, we compared LD50 values for the insecticide bifenthrin, a frequent contaminant of nectar and pollen in agroecosystems, in the western honey bee, Apis mellifera, consuming three phytochemically different monofloral honeys: Nyssa ogeche (tupelo), Robinia pseudoacacia (black locust), and Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat). We found that bifenthrin toxicity (LD50) values for honey bees across different honey diets is linked to their species-specific phytochemical content. The profiles of phenolic acids and flavonoids of buckwheat and locust honeys are richer than is the profile of tupelo honey, with buckwheat honey containing the highest total content of phytochemicals and associated with the highest bifenthrin LD50 in honey bees. The vector fitting in the ordination analysis revealed positive correlations between LD50 values and two honey phytochemical richness estimates, Chao1 and Abundance-based Coverage Estimator (ACE). These findings suggest unequal effects among different phytochemicals, consistent with the interpretation that certain compounds, including ones that are rare, may have a more pronounced effect in mitigating pesticide toxicity.

Risk assessments underestimate threat of pesticides to wild bees

AbstractEcological risk assessments (ERAs) are crucial when developing national strategies to manage adverse effects from pesticide exposure to natural populations. Yet, estimating risk with surrogate species in controlled laboratory studies jeopardizes the ERA process because natural populations exhibit intraspecific variation within and across species. Here, we investigate the extent to which the ERA process underestimates the risk from pesticides on different species by conducting a meta‐analysis of all records in the ECOTOX Knowledgebase for honey bees and wild bees exposed to neonicotinoids. We found the knowledgebase is largely populated by acute lethality data on the Western honey bee and exhibits within and across species variation in LD50 up to 6 orders of magnitude from neonicotinoid exposure. We challenge the reliability of surrogate species as predictors when extrapolating pesticide toxicity data to wild pollinators and recommend solutions to address the (a)biotic interactions occurring in nature that make such extrapolations unreliable in the ERA process.

Study of the Relation between Aging and Pesticides: A Review

Aims: The main aim of this study was to use specific data from the literature on ageing, correlating this with the pesticide contamination, in order to understand the relationship with an increasingly ageing population. Study Design: A systematic review was performed. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Biomathematics of the Federal University of Alfenas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, between April 2023 and August 2023. Methodology: A systematic search of articles was performed using the CAPES Periodic platform, a searcher from the Education Ministry of Brazil that contains Web of Science, Scopus, MedLine, from August 2020 to May 2023. For this review, the subject’s “aging theory”; “neuroscience and pathologies to aging”; “aging and aging-associated changes”; “pesticides and pesticide toxicity”; “pesticide toxicity and neurotoxicity”; “longevity and healthy aging”; “aging human and pesticides” were searched together using the type of material “articles” in English language. Some articles about “population growth”; “world population”; “population-aging” were used for epistemological composition of this work content subjects. Results: From the 19.720 articles after the exclusion and the inclusion criteria made with the subjects most pertinent to the objectives of this work; 19.570 articles were excluded, remaining 150 ones, of which 116 were qualitative in scope and 34 quantitative. Conclusion: The complex relationship between the pesticide contamination and the condition of the exposed individual may be associated with premature ageing and a greater susceptibility to debilitating age-related diseases. Although technology is increasingly improved in its innovations, health and environmental regulations have not been able to rid the production processes of their potential to pollute the environment and cause health problems for those exposed to them.

Acute toxicity effects of pesticides on predatory snout mites (Trombidiformes: Bdellidae).

Predatory mites biologically control a range of arthropod crop pests and are often central to agricultural IPM strategies globally. Conflict between chemical and biological pest control has prompted increasing interest in selective pesticides with fewer off-target impacts on beneficial invertebrates, including predatory mites. However, the range of predatory mite species included in standardized pesticide toxicity assessments does not match the diversity of naturally occurring species contributing to biocontrol, with most testing carried out on species from the family Phytoseiidae (Mesostigmata). Here, we aim to bridge this knowledge gap by investigating the impacts of 22 agricultural pesticides on the predatory snout mite, Odontoscirus lapidaria (Kramer) (Trombidiformes: Bdellidae). Using internationally standardized testing methodologies, we identified several active ingredients with minimal impact on O. lapidaria mortality, including Bacillus thuringiensis,nuclear polyhedrosis virus, flonicamid, afidopyropen, chlorantraniliprole, and cyantraniliprole, which may therefore be good candidates for IPM strategies utilizing both chemical and biological control. Comparison of our findings with previous studies on Phytoseiid mites reveals important differences in responses to a number of chemicals between predatory mite families, including the miticides diafenthiuron and abamectin, highlighting the risk of making family-level generalizations from acute toxicity assessments. We also tested the impacts of several pesticides on a second Bdellidae species (Trombidiformes: Bdellidae)and found differences in the response to chlorpyrifos compared with O. lapidaria, further highlighting the taxon-specific nature of nontarget toxicity effects.

Development of a label‐free, impedance‐based biosensor to identify harmful effects of pesticides on insect cells

AbstractInsects are a major part of the planet's ecosystem and their vital role as pollinators for agriculture is undisputed. Alongside factors as climate change or loss of habitats, rising use of pesticides emerges as a key threat to insect populations. For fighting this man‐made problem, development of an easy, fast, sensitive, and non‐invasive biosensor for determining pesticide toxicity may help to ban harmful substances and formulations. Here, a biosensor based on Sf21 (Spodoptera frugiperda) insect cells as sensors and electric cell‐substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) as physical transducer is described. Sf21 cell suspensions and well‐defined pesticide solutions were mixed immediately before seeding on planar gold‐film electrodes. The capacitance at 20 kHz was recorded as a function of time as a measurand for cell adhesion providing dose–response profiles of pesticide impact. For future in‐field applications, decoupling of the cell culture routines from the actual cytotoxicity assay is mandatory. Thus, suspensions of Sf21 cells were cryopreserved at –80°C in the wells of multielectrode arrays and thawed anytime for conducting the assays. Five pesticides were tested for their concentration‐dependent cytotoxicity expressed as EC50 values by ECIS and validated using the well‐established WST‐1 cell viability assay. Results were found to be in good agreement. Our studies revealed cytotoxic effects of some pesticides sold for home usage far below the recommended concentration and were found to be more toxic than formulations sold for agricultural industry only.

RESTRUCTURING THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN THE TOTA LAKE BASIN (COLOMBIA): PROS AND CONS TO ACHIEVE THE CHANGE

<p><strong>Background. </strong>Moorlands are strategic ecosystems that provide regulation and provision of water, and that face serious effects due to agricultural activities. Productive reconversion (PR) is a mixed environmental, and economic strategy for managing change in agricultural systems towards sustainable agroecological models. <strong>Objective</strong>. To investigate the factors that favor and prevent the implementation<strong> </strong>of PR.<strong> Methodology</strong>. The paper analyzed 26 variables of the productive (14), socioeconomic (6) and environmental (6) dimensions of 172 producers of long onion and potato growers in the Tota lake basin, Tota-Bijagual-Mamapacha moorland, Colombia. <strong>Results</strong>. It was found that 44% of the variables are identified in favor and the remaining 56% against the PR, highlighting the advances in training, social organization, environmental awareness and disposition of the producers for the PR, but being forced to continue the activity due to the economic profitability.<strong> Implication</strong>. The economic profitability is against sustainability, it is related to the implementation of harmful practices such as the indiscriminate, inefficient, unplanned use of agro-inputs for fertilization and pest and disease management, with highly toxic pesticides, composting without maturity, which affect both human and ecosystem health<strong>. Conclusion.</strong> The main challenges are from the productive dimension, in which strategies are consolidated aimed at promoting: a) the adequate selection of quality seed, b) better soil management, c) the management of pests and diseases based on phytosanitary plans that integrate monitoring traps, preventive actions, and restrict the use of agro-inputs of chemical synthesis and d) promote the efficient use of water resources based on the strengthening of participatory agroclimatic monitoring networks.</p>

Prenatal exposure to ethion caused maternal and foetal toxicity in rats

Ethion is a class II moderately toxic organothiophosphate pesticide. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the maternal and foetal toxicity of ethion in rats. Pregnant rats were divided into 5 groups. Group I served as control. Group II, III, IV, and V were orally administered with 0.86, 1.71, 3.43, and 6.9 mg/kg of ethion respectively, from gestational day (GD) 6–19. Dams were sacrificed on GD 20. Maternal toxicity was assessed by body weight gain, foetal resorptions, oxidative stress, liver and kidney function tests, and histopathology. Foetal toxicity was assessed by physical status, gross, teratological and histopathological examination. Ethion caused dose-dependent reduction in maternal body weight gain, increased resorptions, and reduced gravid uterine weights. Elevated MDA levels and altered levels of GSH, SOD and catalase were recorded in pregnant dam serum and tissues. SGOT, SGPT, total bilirubin, urea, uric acid, and creatinine were elevated in ethion groups indicating liver and kidney toxicity. Histology of uterus revealed myometrial degeneration and mucosal gland atrophy in uterus of pregnant dams and degenerative changes in placenta. It showed histological alterations in liver, kidney, and lungs. There was reduction in the foetal body weights and placental weights, and degenerative changes in the foetal liver and kidney. Gross evaluation of foetuses showed subcutaneous hematoma. Skeletal evaluation showed partial ossification of skull bones, costal separation, and agenesis of tail vertebrae, sternebrae, metacarpals and metatarsals. The findings reveal that prenatal exposure to ethion caused maternal and foetal toxicity in rats.

De novo synthesis of a novel hapten and development of a monoclonal antibody–based immunoassay for the detection of dichlorvos and trichlorfon

The absence of high-affinity antibodies has hindered the development of satisfactory immunoassays for dichlorvos (DDVP) and trichlorfon (TCP), two highly toxic organophosphorus pesticides. Herein, the de novo synthesis of a novel anti-DDVP hapten was introduced. Subsequently, a specific anti-DDVP monoclonal antibody (Mab) was produced with satisfying affinity to DDVP (IC50: 12.4 ng mL−1). This Mab was highly specific to DDVP, and TCP could readily convert into DDVP under mild alkaline conditions. Leveraging this insight, an indirect competitive ELISA was successfully developed for simultaneous detection of DDVP and TCP. The limit of detection in rice, cabbage and apple for DDVP /TCP was found to be 12.1/14.6 μg kg−1, 7.3/8.8 μg kg−1 and 6.9/8.3 μg kg−1, respectively. This study not only provides an effective strategy for producing a high-quality anti-DDVP Mab but also affords a reliable and cost-effective tool suitable for high-throughput detection of DDVP and TCP in food samples.