Search Results (1,473)

Foodborne chemical exposure is a significant public health concern. Various chemical agents found in foods, including pesticide residues, heavy metals, natural toxins, compounds formed during food processing, and food additives, may result in carcinogenic or noncarcinogenic health effects in the long term. Along with discussing the main sources of dietary chemical exposure and its health impacts, this review article also covers the theoretical foundations and four main steps of chemical risk assessment. Furthermore, risk assessment approaches are investigated in the light of international organizations and guidelines, and the current debates and challenges within the field are underscored. Lastly, suggestions for safer food supply and potential future developments are presented. This comprehensive review may provide a current literature-based viewpoint on comprehending and addressing dietary chemical-associated public health issues. Full article

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly consulted by amateur gardeners who rely on them for diagnosing plant problems and selecting management strategies. This study evaluates whether such AI systems promote environmentally sustainable or chemically oriented practices. Fifteen real images of edible plants showing typical health issues were collected during 2024–2025, and four major models—ChatGPT 5.0, Gemini 2.5 Pro, Claude Sonnet 4.5, and Perplexity AI (standard version)—were queried in October 2025 using an identical user-style prompt. Each response was coded across four sustainability dimensions (ecological prevention, diagnostic reasoning, nutrient management, and chemical control) and aggregated into a composite Eco-Score (−1 to +1). Across cases, all models prioritized preventive and low-impact advice, emphasizing pruning, hygiene, compost, and organic sprays while recommending synthetic fungicides or pesticides only occasionally. The highest sustainability alignment was achieved by Perplexity AI (Eco-Score = 0.71) and Gemini 2.5 Pro (0.69), followed by ChatGPT 5.0 (0.57) and Claude Sonnet 4.5 (0.41). Although the models frequently converged in general reasoning, no case achieved full agreement in Eco-Score values across systems. These findings demonstrate that current LLMs generally reinforce sustainable reasoning but vary in interpretative reliability. While they can enhance ecological awareness and accessible plant care knowledge, their diagnostic uncertainty underscores the need for human oversight in AI-assisted amateur food production. Full article

Pesticides play a critical role in food production by enhancing crop yields and protecting against pests and pathogens, such as insects, bacteria, fungi, and weeds. However, their extensive use raises significant environmental concerns. The paper reviews and describes the reported adverse effects of pesticides on terrestrial and marine life to raise awareness of the ecological impact of pesticide use across life niches. The adverse effects on soil microorganisms, arthropods, reptiles, and amphibians highlight the extensive ecological disruption caused by these chemicals. Understanding the mechanisms of pesticide toxicity and their impact on various organisms is crucial for developing effective bioremediation techniques and on-field management practices. By implementing these strategies and enhancing environmental biomonitoring, countries can mitigate the harmful effects of pesticides, ultimately protecting biodiversity and ensuring the health of their ecosystems. Full article

The widespread use of agrochemicals, including inorganic and organic pesticides and fungicides, has contributed to the persistence of hazardous residues in agricultural environments, particularly through their accumulation in plastic packaging and containers. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and other polymer types commonly employed for agrochemical storage and transport retain significant quantities of active substances even after standard rinsing procedures. This phenomenon raises concerns over improper disposal practices, environmental contamination, and potential ecotoxicological impacts. Recent studies demonstrate that both inorganic and organic pesticide residues exhibit strong interactions with plastic polymers, influenced by factors such as polymer chemistry, surface aging, pH, ionic strength, and dissolved organic matter. These interactions not only delay degradation but also facilitate secondary release into soils and aquatic systems, where they may impair soil microorganisms, alter plant physiology, and disrupt aquatic food webs, including phytoplankton, fish, and microbial assemblages. Despite regulatory frameworks and container management schemes in some regions, major knowledge gaps remain regarding the long-term fate of pesticide residues on plastics, their transfer to ecosystems, and cumulative effects on agroecosystem sustainability. This review synthesizes current evidence on the chemical characteristics of pesticide residues in plastic packaging, their environmental mobility, and ecotoxicological effects. It further identifies urgent research needs, including long-term field assessments of polymer–pesticide interactions, improved recycling technologies, and the development of safer container designs. Effective management strategies, coupled with strengthened international stewardship programs, are essential to reduce risks to environmental health, agricultural productivity, and human safety. Full article

The transition to organic farming is one of the most desirable achievements of our time. Rational use of organic farming approaches not only enables a reduction in costs and increased yields but also limits the risks associated with the use of pesticides and chemicals. Despite the widest practical application of numerous biocontrol agents based on Bacillus strains, their metabolome, including the main active substances, often remains unknown. In order to understand the basic principles of the functioning of the Bacillus velezensis K-3618 strain, widely used in organic farming, we studied its spectrum of antimicrobial metabolites in detail. It was shown that the main antimicrobial agents of B. velezensis K-3618 are representatives of the macrolactin family. The identified macrolactin A (MLN A) and its acylated analogs 7-O-malonyl macrolactin A (mal-MLN A) and 7-O-succinyl macrolactin A (suc-MLN A) are active against Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains. Among them, suc-MLN A is the most potent antimicrobial, highly active (MIC = 0.1 μg/mL) against the common human pathogen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It was revealed that the primary mechanism of action of MLN A-based macrolactins is protein translation inhibition. Acylated macrolactins outperform MLN A in the prokaryotic cell-free system, displaying high efficiency in low micromolar concentrations. We observed that acylated MLN A analogs undergo pathogen-mediated biotransformation into MLN F analogs, having their antimicrobial activity reduced by two orders of magnitude. Hence, both acylation of MLNs and stabilization of the MLN A core are essential for the creation of new synthetic MLNs with improved antimicrobial activity and stability. However, we speculate that these degradability modes are of prime importance for bacterial ecology, and they are highly conserved in Bacillus species from various ecological niches. Full article

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917), commonly known as the tomato pinworm, is a destructive pest of tomato and other solanaceous crops worldwide that leads to large yield losses. Because of the increasing resistance to chemical insecticides, alternative means of control are required. This review is focused on the actual integrated management with regard to natural, chemical, and advanced biotechnological control systems for T. absoluta. Traditional chemical methods of control, most commonly insecticides, have become less efficient as resistance develops. On the other hand, natural enemies such as predatory mirids, parasitoids, and microbial organisms seem to be promising in suppressing them. Moreover, biotechnology tools, such as RNA interference (RNAi), CRISPR/Cas9, and the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), provide targeted and durable strategies against pests. Nano-bio-insecticides prepared using nanotechnological tools can enhance pest control through optimizing stability, toxicity, and release of active molecules. These improvements not only optimize pesticide monitoring but also contribute to sustainable farming. Integrated into a holistic IPM system, such innovative tools decrease dependence on chemical pesticides and offer environmentally friendly and effective solutions for T. absoluta control. This multi-modal approach outlines the need for further studies and the harnessing of these advanced techniques to suppress the emerging hazardous consequences posed by this invasive pest. Full article

Public concern about pesticide residues in food has fuelled increasing demand for organic produce, yet the actual differences in residue levels between organic and conventional foods remain debated. The aim of this study was to compare pesticide residues in organic and conventional apples and potatoes served in school meals in Tartu, Estonia. A total of 36 samples were collected from 18 school canteens and analysed for 791 pesticide residues using accredited chromatographic methods at Eurofins LZV (Laboratorium Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, The Netherlands). No residues were detected in either organic or conventional potatoes, nor in organic apples. In contrast, residues of multiple pesticides were identified in 94.4% of conventional apple samples, all at concentrations below EU maximum residue limits. Captan was the most frequently detected residue (83%), and a few apple samples also contained carbendazim and spirodiclofen, both of which are banned in the EU. The findings indicate that both organic and conventional apples and potatoes largely comply with EU food safety standards. Nevertheless, the occasional detection of banned substances highlights the importance of continuous monitoring, as residue patterns may vary across the EU despite harmonised regulations. Full article

This review synthesizes current knowledge on chemical biomarker panels in the honeybee in a tissue-specific and factor-oriented framework. We show that these panels undergo predictable shifts under endogenous factors (age, caste) and environmental stressors, including mites, bacteria, fungi, viruses, pesticides, antibiotics, adulterated wax, nutritional deficits, and monodiets. These changes are particularly evident in the hemolymph and fat body and are assessed via markers of energy metabolism, enzymatic activities, oxidative stress, and lipid homeostasis. Because insects lack established clinical reference intervals, emphasis is placed on general trends and tissue interrelationships. Moreover, in the honeybee, patterns can at times be inverted relative to vertebrates for example, for enzymatic activities marker, where increased activity may indicate a beneficial effect on the organism. Research in bee ecophysiology is gaining prominence and aligns with contemporary understandings of global challenges. Full article

Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) was previously used as a rocket propellant in launch vehicles. During the operation and accidents of launch vehicles, hundreds of tons of UDMH were released. While these launch vehicles are gradually being phased out, UDMH continues to be used in space technology and other industries. When released into the environment, UDMH forms numerous transformation products. Several dozen have been reliably identified, and hundreds are believed to exist, many of which are highly toxic and quite persistent in the environment. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is one of the primary methods for identifying these compounds. Library searches using mass spectra and retention indices are often used. However, UDMH transformation products are highly specific—they are organic compounds, typically aromatic heterocycles, with unusually high nitrogen content. Such compounds are poorly represented in GC-MS databases, while existing data are often of poor quality and were obtained back in the 1980s. A database of such compounds was presented, containing information on retention indices for non-polar (5%-phenylpolydimethylsiloxane) and polar (polyethylene glycol) stationary phases, as well as electron ionization mass spectra (70 eV) for 104 nitrogen-containing compounds: derivatives of triazoles, pyrazoles, imidazoles, pyridines, diazines, and triazines, as well as amides and other compounds. Many of the compounds presented in the database are proven UDMH transformation products, while many of the other compounds are probable. Derivatives of triazoles and triazines are also used as pesticides, and our database can be useful in detecting their derivatives. The database is free and available online. Full article

Global agricultural production is challenging due to climate change and a number of phyto-pathogenic organisms and pests that pose a significant threat to both crop growth and productivity. The growing resistance of pests and diseases to synthetic chemicals makes crop production even more difficult, which highlights the urgent need for alternative solutions. From this perspective, marine microorganisms have emerged as a significant natural product source for their distinctive bioactive compounds and environmentally sustainable potential pesticidal activity. The unique microbial resources and structurally diverse metabolites of the marine ecosystem have been proven to have strong antagonistic effects against a broad spectrum of agricultural diseases and pests, making them a valuable candidate for the development of novel pesticides. This review highlights 126 marine natural products from marine microorganisms with diverse metabolic pathways and bioactivities against agricultural pests, pathogens, and weeds. The findings underscore the potential of marine-derived compounds in addressing the growing challenges of crop protection and offering an appealing strategy for future agrochemical research and development. Full article

The provision of potable water for armed forces at their operational sites necessitates a robust treatment chain to ensure the production of safe drinking water from potentially contaminated local water sources. Relying on single-use water bottles is not considered an eco-friendly option and on-site production may exhibit limited efficiency depending on the water contamination. This study therefore aimed to define a mobile processing chain that could efficiently produce drinking water on-site while offering a multi-barrier level of protection. To evaluate the system, contaminated water was prepared from different water sources and then spiked with various inorganic contaminants (metals, anions: Cl⁻, F⁻, I⁻, NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, CN⁻), organic contaminants (e.g., pesticides, petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents), and energetic compound (perchlorate) at levels ranging from 5 to 50 times the standard water quality criteria. A specific treatment process was defined optimized and evaluated at flow rates reaching 500 L/h. This treatment chain includes the following: a sediment filter, a greensand filter, a cation exchange resin, an anion exchange resin, an activated carbon adsorption filter, ultrafiltration, a UV lamp, and a reverse osmosis (RO) unit. This treatment system successfully met all water quality criteria, providing a reliable and effective alternative to an RO-only treatment regime. Full article

The extensive use of clothianidin pesticide poses significant risks to non-target organisms and water resources. In this study, NiO-GO is reported as an effective photocatalyst for the degradation of clothianidin in aqueous medium. Nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles were synthesized by a green method using Pisum sativum (pea) peel extract, which serves as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent, and subsequently integrated with graphene oxide (GO) through ultrasonication to form a NiO-GO composite in a 1:1 ratio. The materials were characterized by various techniques. Photocatalytic degradation of clothianidin under natural sunlight was systematically investigated, assessing the effects of pH, catalyst dosage, initial pollutant concentration, and agitation speed. The NiO-GO composite exhibited superior photocatalytic performance (96% degradation at pH 3 within 60 min) compared to pristine NiO and GO, with a rate constant 4.4 and 3.3 times higher, respectively. The as-prepared NiO-GO photocatalyst exhibited nearly consistent degradation efficiency over two successive cycles, demonstrating its excellent structural stability and reusability. The enhanced performance is attributed to improved charge separation afforded by GO support. This low-cost, green, and efficient NiO-GO photocatalyst demonstrates promising potential for sustainable pesticide remediation in aqueous environments. Full article

Iron-based catalysts for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and peroxydisulfate (PDS) activation represent a cornerstone of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in environmental remediation, prized for their cost-effectiveness, environmental compatibility, and high catalytic potential. These catalysts, including zero-valent iron, iron oxides, and iron-organic frameworks, activate PMS/PDS through heterogeneous and homogeneous pathways to generate reactive species such as sulfate radicals (SO₄•⁻) and hydroxyl radicals (•OH). However, their large-scale implementation is constrained by inefficient iron cycling, characterized by sluggish Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ conversion and significant iron precipitation, leading to catalyst passivation and oxidant wastage. This comprehensive review systematically dissects innovative strategies to augment iron cycling efficiency, encompassing advanced material design through elemental doping, heterostructure construction, and defect engineering; system optimization via reductant incorporation, bimetallic synergy, and pH modulation; and external field assistance using light, electricity, or ultrasound. We present a mechanistic deep-dive into these approaches, emphasizing facilitated electron transfer, suppression of iron precipitation, and precise regulation of radical versus non-radical pathways. The performance in degrading persistent organic pollutants—including antibiotics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and pesticides—in complex environmental matrices is critically evaluated. We further discuss practical challenges related to scalability, long-term stability, and secondary environmental risks. Finally, forward-looking directions are proposed, focusing on rational catalyst design, integration of sustainable processes, and scalable implementation, thereby providing a foundational framework for developing next-generation iron-persulfate catalytic systems. Full article

Conventional agriculture, focusing on productivity rather than sustainability, have long abandoned hulled wheats. With them not only striking genetic diversity but valuable, health-promoting food sources became lost. Although einkorn and emmer—two of the most ancient wheat species—are generally considered good candidates of sustainable agriculture especially for pesticide-free cropping, they have remained largely unrecognized. To assess their agronomic potential in comparison with modern wheats grown under the same conditions, comprehensive research was conducted, combining multi-location participatory on-farm and small-plot trials. Our findings confirmed that most landraces of emmer and einkorn exhibited strong weed suppression ability, making them suitable for organic cultivation, and effective resistance against diseases—including Fusarium spp. and associated deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin accumulation. Both species were entirely avoided by cereal leaf beetles (Oulema spp.) and had, on average, 2.6% more grain protein content than common wheat. Although they command significantly higher market prices, their (hulled) yields were comparable to modern wheat only in extreme years or at sites typically producing 3–5 t/ha of wheat. Nevertheless, the cultivation of emmer and einkorn presents a more sustainable "sow-and-harvest" alternative, free from pesticide and mycotoxin residue risks, while also enhances biodiversity from the field to the table. Full article

Water resource management and agricultural practices in the Mediterranean region, characterised by the excessive use of pesticides, pose significant environmental and human health challenges. As they can be easily and inexpensively produced from various biomass sources, biochars are frequently recommended as a low-cost secondary decontamination strategy to address soil contamination problems. This study investigates the properties and sorption behaviours of biochars produced in a low-cost metallic kiln using local rosemary, giant reed, St. John’s wort, olive, cypress, and palm tree biomass residues to evaluate their potential for environmental remediation, with a special focus on the mobility and retention of contaminants. Analytical and experimental techniques were employed to characterise the biochars’ physicochemical attributes and sorptive capacities. The core analyses included measurement of basic physicochemical properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, functional group identification via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and the molarity of ethanol droplet (MED) test to assess the surface hydrophobicity. Batch sorption experiments were conducted using methylene blue (MB) and two fluorescent tracers—uranine (UR) and sulforhodamine-B (SRB)—as proxies for organic contaminants to assess the adsorption efficiency and molecule–biochar interactions. Furthermore, the adsorption isotherms at 20 °C were fitted to different models to assess the biochars’ specific surface areas. Thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated to understand the nature and strength of the adsorption processes. The results highlight the influence of feedstock type on the resulting biochar’s properties, thus significantly affecting the mechanism of adsorption. Rosemary biochar was found to have the highest specific surface area (SSA) and cation exchange capacity (CEC), allowing it to adsorb a wide range of organic molecules. Giant reed and palm tree biochars showed similar properties. In contrast, wood-derived biochars generally showed very low SSA, moderate CEC, and low hydrophobicity. The contrasting properties of the three dyes—MB (cationic), UR (anionic), and SRB (zwitterionic)—enabled us to highlight the distinct interaction mechanisms between each dye and the surface functional groups of the different biochars. The reactivity and sorption efficiency of a biochar depend strongly on both the nature of the target molecule and the intrinsic properties of the biochar, particularly its pH. The findings of this study demonstrate the importance of matching biochar characteristics to specific contaminant types for optimised environmental applications, providing implications for the use of tailored biochars in pollutant mitigation strategies. Full article