Search Results (62)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of activated biochar produced from Moringa oleifera L. wood for removing azoxystrobin (fungicide) and deltamethrin (insecticide) from water. The adsorption of pesticides on activated carbon was studied using batch tests evaluating the influence of contact time (1–180 min), concentration (5–50 mg L⁻¹), and temperature (283, 298 and 313 K). The highest removal percentage obtained was 94.39% for azoxystrobin and 91.96% for deltamethrin, considering an initial concentration of 10 mg L⁻¹ and adsorbent dosage of 5.0 g L⁻¹. FTIR spectra confirmed H-bonding in the adsorption process, SEM analysis revealed homogeneous surface area characteristics, and BET results confirmed a highly superficial area for the activated carbon, all of which favor pesticide adsorption. The Boyd model showed that the intraparticle diffusion stage is determinant for both compounds in the initial stages of the adsorption process. The Sips model was the isotherm with the best fit to the experimental data, possibly indicating cooperativity between adsorbate molecules at low temperatures. The thermodynamic study showed a favorable adsorption at all the temperatures investigated, given the negative value of ΔG°. In addition, this study revealed good adsorption capacities for the material indicating that Moringa oleifera wood activated carbon is a viable alternative for removing azoxystrobin and deltamethrin from water. Full article

Pyrethroid pesticides like deltamethrin and cypermethrin are widely used in aquaculture, yet their food safety implications remain understudied. This research investigated their acute toxicity, tissue-specific bioaccumulation, and elimination patterns in crucian carp (Carassius auratus). Acute toxicity tests determined 96 h LC50 values of 9.68~11.22 ng·mL⁻¹ (deltamethrin) and 3.12~5.01 ng·mL⁻¹ (cypermethrin) with 95% confidence intervals. During 8-day exposures to sublethal concentrations (1/10 and 1/100 of LC50), deltamethrin accumulated predominantly in the liver (peak: 21.98 ng·g⁻¹ at 1.04 ng·mL⁻¹, standard deviation is 0.064 ng·mL⁻¹), whereas cypermethrin concentrated in muscle (peak: 9.76 ng·g⁻¹ at 0.40 ng·mL⁻¹, standard deviation is 0.138 ng·mL⁻¹). A 7-day elimination phase revealed faster clearance of low-concentration residues, with >50% removal within 24 h in all tissues. Bioconcentration factors were highest in the liver (36.62 for deltamethrin) and muscle (45.17 for cypermethrin). These results highlight tissue-specific accumulation risks and rapid initial elimination, providing critical data to optimize pesticide-dosing protocols, mitigate ecotoxicological threats, and enhance food safety in aquaculture systems. Full article

Utilizing entomopathogenic fungi as a biological control method for parasitic houseflies in livestock presents a promising and innovative alternative. This study aimed to evaluate the control efficacy of a lyophilized Metarhizium brunneum preparation, both alone and in combination with the insecticide low-dose deltamethrin, to control houseflies in Hu sheep on a farm based in Gansu Province, northwestern China. The experimental design included four groups: M. brunneum wettable powder (WP) treatment group, M. brunneum + deltamethrin combination WP treatment group, deltamethrin group, and a control group. By observing the mortality rate of houseflies at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post-treatment, the data were analyzed, and control efficacy was calculated to evaluate the effectiveness of each treatment group on houseflies at different time points. On day 7, the combination of WP with deltamethrin resulted in 79.2% control of housefly larvae and pupae and 85.42% control of adult houseflies, respectively, surpassing the efficacy observed in the deltamethrin-only group. The incorporation of low-dose insecticides into the fungal treatment increased the mortality rate by 17.1% compared to the use of M. brunneum alone, significantly reducing the overall pesticide usage while enhancing the efficacy of biological control. Full article

Deltamethrin (Del), a widely utilized pyrethroid pesticide, exhibits significant risks to human health due to its persistent environmental residues. This study aims to develop an efficient sensing detector for rapid Del detection through aptamer-based recognition. A modified Capture-SELEX strategy successfully identified Del-1, a high-affinity DNA aptamer demonstrating specific binding to Del with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 82.90 ± 6.272 nM. Molecular docking analysis revealed strong intermolecular interactions between Del-1 and Del, exhibiting a favorable binding energy of −7.35 kcal·mol⁻¹. Leveraging these findings, we constructed a colorimetric detector using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and poly dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride (PDDA)-mediated aggregation modulation. The sensing detector employed dual detection parameters: (1) a characteristic color transition from red to blue and (2) a quantitative ∆A650/A520 ratio measurement. This optimized system achieved a detection limit of 54.57 ng·mL⁻¹ with exceptional specificity against other competitive pesticides. Practical validation using spiked fruit samples (apples and pears) yielded satisfactory recoveries of 74–118%, demonstrating the sensor’s reliability in real-sample analysis. The developed methodology presents a promising approach for the on-site monitoring of pyrethroid contaminants in agricultural products. Full article

The use of different commercial products that involve one or multiple active substances with specific targeted-pests control has become a widespread practice. Because of this, a severe range of significant consequences has been often reported. Among the most used pesticides worldwide are deltamethrin (DM) and imidacloprid (IMI). With a significative effect on the insect’s nervous system, DM acts on the voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cell membranes, while IMI mimics the acetylcholine neurotransmitter by binding irreversibly to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This study investigates the neurotoxic effects of sub-chronic exposure to commercial formulations of deltamethrin (DM) and imidacloprid (IMI) in adult zebrafish, both individually and in combination. The formulations used in this study contain additional ingredients commonly found in commercial pesticide products, which may contribute to overall toxicity. Fish were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of these pesticides for 21 days, individually or in combination. Behavioral, molecular, and histopathological analyses were conducted to assess the impact of these pesticides. Zebrafish exhibited dose-dependent behavioral alterations, particularly in the combined exposure groups, including increased erratic swimming and anxiety-like behavior. Gene expression analysis revealed significant changes in neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF, ntf-3, ntf-4/5, ntf-6/7) and their receptors (ntrk1, ntrk2a, ntrk2b, ntrk3a, ntrk3b, ngfra, ngfrb), indicating potential neurotoxic effects. Histopathological examination confirmed neuronal degeneration, gliosis, and vacuolization, with more severe impairments observed in pesticide mixture treatments. These findings highlight the neurotoxic potential of pesticide formulations in aquatic environments and emphasize the need for stricter regulations on pesticide mixtures and further research on pesticide interactions. Our findings emphasize that the combination of pesticides could trigger a synergistic effect by maximizing the toxicity of each compound. Thus, it is a well-known practice for pyrethroids and neonicotinoids to be used together in agriculture. Even so, its prevalence in agriculture and the need to investigate its actual impact on human health, biodiversity, and ecosystem mitigates the development of new strategies for assessing the risk and, at the same time, enhancing the effectiveness. Full article

It is well known that modern agriculture would not be able to meet the current demand for food without the help of pesticides. However, conventional pesticides have been proven to be extremely harmful to the environment, to the species they are applied to, and, ultimately, to humans. As a result, bio-pesticides have been introduced in recent years and include natural substances that control pests, such as biochemical pesticides, microorganisms used as pest control agents (microbial pesticides), and pesticide substances produced by plants containing added genetic material, known as plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs). Although these are natural products, their widespread use has led to an increased presence in the environment, raising concerns regarding their potential impact on both the environment and human health. The aim of our study was to determine the phyto- and cytogenotoxicity caused by two insecticides, both certified for use in ecological agriculture: one biochemical (BCP) and the other microbial (MP), which were applied in three concentrations (the maximum recommended concentration by the manufacturers (MRFC), 1.5X MRFC, and 2X MRFC) to the meristematic root tissues of Allium cepa. The results were compared to a negative control (tap water) and a positive control (a chemical pesticide (CP) containing mainly Deltamethrin). Phytotoxic and cytogenotoxic effects were analyzed at two time intervals (24 and 48 h) by measuring root length, growth percentage, root growth inhibition percentage (phytotoxicity tests), and micronuclei frequency and chromosome aberrations (anaphase bridges, chromosomal fragments, anaphase delays, sticky chromosomes, laggard/vagrant chromosomes) (cytogenotoxicity analyses), respectively. The tests conducted in this study showed that the microbial insecticide provides greater safety when applied, even at higher doses than those recommended by the manufacturers, compared with the biochemical insecticide, whose effects are similar to those induced by the chemical pesticide containing Deltamethrin. However, the results suggest that both insecticides have clastogenic and aneugenic effects, highlighting the need for prior testing of any type of pesticide before large-scale use, especially since the results of the A. cepa tests showed high sensitivity and good correlation when compared to other test systems, e.g., mammals. Full article

The increasing presence of antimicrobial agents and pesticides in aquatic environments raises concerns about their potential impacts on non-target organisms. Among these chemicals, deltamethrin (DM), a widely used pesticide, and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), an antimicrobial commonly detected in water bodies, pose significant ecological risks. This study investigates the acute toxicity, neurotoxic effects, oxidative stress responses, immune-related gene expression, and feeding behavior of adult zebrafish exposed to DM and SMX. The 96 h LC₅₀ for DM was 4.84 µg/L, indicating significant acute toxicity, while the LC₅₀ for the DM + SMX mixture was 11.32 µg/L, suggesting that SMX may mitigate the toxicity of DM. Neurotransmitter alterations, including reduced levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (γ-GABA), serotonin (5-HT), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), were observed, with the combination of DM and SMX showing partial restoration of AChE activity. Oxidative stress markers revealed significant changes in antioxidant enzyme activities, with DM exposure increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, while decreasing catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities. Immune-related gene expression demonstrated suppressed IgM, IgD, and IgZ levels, along with altered inflammatory responses, with both DM and DM + SMX exposure inducing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, feeding behavior was significantly impaired in the DM group at the 3 min mark, while the DM + SMX group showed partial mitigation of this effect. These findings highlight the neurotoxic, immunotoxic, and behavioral effects of DM and SMX, and underscore the potential for chemical interactions to modulate toxicity in aquatic organisms. Full article

The impact of agrochemicals on pollinators, especially honey bees, has drawn significant attention due to its critical implications for worldwide food stability and ecosystems. Given the potential threat of insecticides to honey bees, bees may encounter multiple insecticides simultaneously during foraging. This study investigated the toxic effect of an insecticide mixture (IM) containing acetamiprid (neonicotinoid) and deltamethrin (pyrethroid) on the survival and cognitive appetitive performance of Apis mellifera jemenitica, a vital native pollinator in arid regions of Saudi Arabia. The lethal concentration (LC₅₀) was determined by assessing bees’ mortality rates following exposure to IM through topical and oral routes. Significant bee mortality occurred at 4–48 h post treatment with IM through both exposure routes, showing a trend of increased mortality with higher IM concentrations compared to the control bees. Throughout all tested times, topical exposure proved relatively more effective, resulting in significantly greater bee mortality compared to oral exposure to IM. Food intake declined progressively with rising IM concentrations during oral exposure. The LC₅₀ values of IM at 24 h after treatment were 12.24 ppm for topical and 10.45 ppm for oral exposure. The corresponding LC₁₀, LC₂₀, and LC₃₀ values were 3.75 ppm, 5.63 ppm, and 7.54 ppm for topical exposure and 2.45 ppm, 4.04 ppm, and 5.78 ppm for oral exposure, respectively. The combination index (CI) revealed a synergistic effect (0.43) for topical exposure and antagonistic effects (1.43) for oral exposure, highlighting differential toxicity dynamics. IM exposure significantly impaired cognitive acquisition and memory reinforcement in honey bees, as demonstrated through behavioral assays, indicating potential neurotoxic effects. Learning and memory formation significantly declined at 2, 12, and 24 h after exposure to sublethal concentrations of IM through both topical and oral routes. Thus, evaluating the interactive impact of multiple pesticides on bees’ health and cognitive function is essential, particularly in regions where diverse agrochemicals are routinely utilized. Full article

Pesticides used in agriculture can contaminate foods like fruits and vegetables, posing health risks to consumers and highlighting the need for effective residue monitoring. This study explores aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) comprising phosphonium or ammonium ionic liquids (ILs) combined with ammonium sulfate as an alternative pre-treatment method for extracting and concentrating the pesticides clomazone, pyraclostrobin, and deltamethrin from strawberry samples. Liquid–liquid equilibrium measurements for each ATPS were conducted, followed by extraction experiments to determine the most efficient systems for pesticide extraction. Results showed that all three pesticides migrated effectively to the IL-rich phase across the tested ATPSs. For the most promising system, tetrabutylphosphonium salicylate ([TBP][Sal]) with ammonium sulfate, extraction efficiencies for each pesticide exceeded 98% under optimized conditions for parameters such as pH, temperature, and ATPS composition. Application of this ATPS to strawberries resulted in significant pesticide preconcentration, reaching mg/L levels suitable for detection by liquid chromatography. The method’s sustainability was supported by green chemistry metrics, with AGREEprep and AGREE scores of 0.68 and 0.55, respectively, underscoring its alignment with eco-friendly practices. Full article

The market demand for baby leaf lettuce is constantly increasing, while safety has become one of the most important traits in determining consumer preference driven by human health hazards concerns. In this study, the performance of visible and near-infrared (vis/NIR) spectroscopy was tested in discriminating pesticide-free against pesticide-treated lettuce plants. Two commercial fungicides (mancozeb and fosetyl-al) and two insecticides (deltamethrin and imidacloprid) were applied as spray solutions at the recommended rates on baby leaf lettuce plants. Untreated-control plants were sprayed with water. Reflectance data in the wavelength range 400–2500 nm were captured on leaf samples until harvest on the 10th day upon pesticide application, as well as after 4 and 8 days during post-harvest storage at 5 °C. In addition, biochemical components in leaf tissue were also determined during storage, such as antioxidant enzymes’ activities (peroxidase [POD], catalase [CAT], and ascorbate peroxidase [APX]), along with malondialdehyde [MDA] and hydrogen peroxide [H₂O₂] content. Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLSDA) combined with feature-selection techniques was implemented, in order to classify baby lettuce tissue into pesticide-free or pesticide-treated ones. The genetic algorithm (GA) and the variable importance in projection (VIP) scores identified eleven distinct regions and nine specific wavelengths that exhibited the most significant effect in the detection models, with most of them in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. According to the results, the classification accuracy of discriminating pesticide-treated against non-treated lettuce leaves ranged from 94% to 99% in both pre-harvest and post-harvest periods. Although there were no significant differences in enzyme activities or H₂O₂, the MDA content in pesticide-treated tissue was greater than in untreated ones, implying that the chemical spray application probably induced a stress response in the plant that was disclosed with the reflected energy. In conclusion, vis/NIR spectroscopy appears as a promising, reliable, rapid, and non-destructive tool in distinguishing pesticide-free from pesticide-treated lettuce products. Full article

Pyrethroids are pesticides used in agriculture, the textile industry, wood processing, and human and animal medicine. Pyrethroids inhibit voltage-sensitive sodium channels (VSSCs) in insects and mammals. It results in the premature opening and/or delayed closing of the channels, causing a prolonged influx of Na⁺ ions into the cell. Insects absorb pyrethroids throughout the entire body surface, while poisoning in humans most often occurs by inhalation and through the skin. In this study, 52 fragments of human skin taken from the eyelid fold were examined. A modified Ussing chamber was used to measure the active ion transport in epithelial tissue and quantify the tissue viability and integrity. Both permethrin and deltamethrin solutions induced changes in the transport of ions, mainly sodium, but by different mechanisms. Permethrin affected the transepithelial transport of sodium ions in a long-term mechanism, while deltamethrin affected the ability to respond to stimuli in an immediate mechanism. Contact with deltamethrin may cause a delay/slowness of sensation, inflammation, hypersensitivity, and/or allergy. The action of permethrin takes place in the intercellular spaces and is associated with the possibility of faster decomposition/metabolism, while deltamethrin interacts with receptors, channels, and the cell membrane, which translates into slower decomposition and longer action in the tissue. Full article

Global climate change, environmental pollution, and frequent pesticide use severely reduce bee populations, greatly challenging beekeeping. Pesticides such as deltamethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide commonly used to control mosquitoes, can kill individual bees and entire colonies, depending on the exposure. Due to mosquito resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, components that enhance their effect are commonly used. This study explores the potential of Agaricus bisporus mushroom extract in mitigating oxidative stress in bees triggered by pesticides and Nosema ceranae infection. Our findings indicate that A. bisporus extract significantly reduced mortality rates of bees and spore counts of N. ceranae. Furthermore, the extract demonstrated antioxidant properties that lower enzyme activity related to oxidative stress (CAT, SOD, and GST) and MDA concentration, which is linked to lipid peroxidation. These results indicate that natural extracts like A. bisporus can aid bee health by mitigating the effects of pesticides and pathogens on honey bees, thus improving biodiversity. Full article

Pesticides play a critical role in modern agriculture by protecting crops and ensuring higher yields, but their widespread use raises concerns about human health and environmental impact. Regulatory agencies impose Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) to ensure safety, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assesses pesticide risks. This study monitored pesticide residues in 169 feed samples from Piedmont (Italy) collected between 2019 and 2023. Using GC-MS/MS, residues were found in 92% of animal-based and 70% of cereal-based feedstuffs. The most common pesticides in cereal-based feeds were pyrimiphos-methyl, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, azoxystrobin, and tetramethrin, and the pesticide synergist piperonyl-butoxide demonstrated a significant increase in contaminated samples in 2023. The lower concentrations in 2021 were likely due to COVID-19 impacts on pesticide availability. In animal-based feeds, common pesticides included deltamethrin, cypermethrin, and the pesticide synergist piperonyl-butoxide. The results highlight the pervasive presence of low-dose pesticide mixtures in feed and food chains, which could impact health, although do not pose acute risks. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing pesticide monitoring and awareness of the long-term effects of chronic pesticide exposure on animal, human, and environmental health. Full article

The aquatic environment encompasses a wide variety of pollutants, from plastics to drug residues, pesticides, food compounds, and other food by-products, and improper disposal of waste is the main cause of the accumulation of toxic substances in water. Monitoring, assessing, and attempting to control the effects of contaminants in the aquatic environment are necessary and essential to protect the environment and thus human and animal health, and the study of aquatic ecotoxicology has become topical. In this respect, zebrafish are used as model organisms to study the bioaccumulation, toxicity, and influence of environmental pollutants due to their structural, functional, and material advantages. There are many similarities between the metabolism and physiological structures of zebrafish and humans, and the nervous system structure, blood–brain barrier function, and social behavior of zebrafish are characteristics that make them an ideal animal model for studying neurotoxicity. The aim of the study was to highlight the neurotoxicity of nanoplastics, microplastics, fipronil, deltamethrin, and rotenone and to highlight the main behavioral, histological, and oxidative status changes produced in zebrafish exposed to them. Full article

In recent years, the number of available chemical pesticides has been dramatically reduced, urging the need for the discovery of alternatives to chemical pesticide products such as, among others, natural zeolites (zeolitic rocks). We determined the mineralogical and chemical composition of a specific and continuous layer of zeolitic rock sample (ZeotP) from Petrota, Evros, Greece, and evaluated its oviposition-deterrent effect on the olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae Gmelin (Diptera: Terphritidae). The tested natural zeolite contained 70 wt. % clinoptilolite, 18 wt. % amorphous material, 7 wt. % feldspars, 4 wt. % cristobalite, and 1 wt. % quartz. We tested the oviposition-deterrent effect of ZeotP mixed or not with an emulsifier adjuvant, NU-FILM-P^®, in water and applied it to the surface of olive fruits. The ZeotP oviposition-deterrent effect on the olive fly was very high under a series of tested temperatures (17 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C) and RHs (23%, 33%, 55%, 75%, and 94%). In addition, the ZeotP residual deterrent effect after equable water spraying was high, like the respective effect of the pyrethroid insecticide Decis^® (deltamethrin). Our results may contribute to the effective control of the olive fruit fly using an alternative to chemical pesticides: natural zeolite (zeolitic rocks) products. Full article