Search Results (8,267)

Insect protein farming offers sustainable advantages in land efficiency, emission reductions, and bioconversion, yet optimizing the nutrient composition remains a major challenge for cost-effective production. This study investigates the co-regulatory mechanism between alkali-soluble protein (SpA) and the gut microbiota in black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) and their effect on protein conversion efficiency. Feeding trials with varying alfalfa/SpA ratios identified a wheat middlings/alfalfa meal blend at a (5:0 ratio) as optimal for promoting larval protein accumulation. SDS-PAGE and 16S rRNA analyses revealed a strong positive correlation between SpA and larval crude protein (R² = 0.82). The network analysis and Pearson correlation heatmap further confirmed positive correlations among SpA, larval protein, Enterococcus, and Ignatzschineria (p < 0.05), suggesting that high SpA in the substrate was associated with the enrichment of these taxa, which synergistically enhanced proteolysis through alkaline protease secretion (R² = 0.85) and chitinase-mediated gut remodeling. Multi-linear regression modeling verified SpA as a superior predictor of the crude protein content compared with total nitrogen (TN), improving the model’s coefficient of determination (R²) from 0.40 to 0.82. These findings highlight SpA’s higher bioavailability and its direct role in metabolic utilization. By integrating the feed composition, microbiome function, and host metabolism, this study established a regulatory network driving larval protein biosynthesis. The targeted modulation of dietary SpA content may offer a promising approach to enhance beneficial microbial communities and improve protein conversion efficiency in BSFL-rearing systems. These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing feed formulations to support sustainable insect protein production from organic waste. Full article

Dietary exposure to pesticide mixtures is recognized as an important food safety challenge worldwide, particularly in countries with intensive agricultural production. Regulatory monitoring programs focus primarily on compliance with maximum residue limits (MRLs), whereas cumulative exposure to pesticide mixtures remains insufficiently addressed. This study investigated the occurrence of eleven currently used pesticides in 20 commonly consumed plant-based foods (60 samples) marketed in Brazil and assessed regulatory compliance and human health risks associated with dietary exposure. Residues were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and concentrations were compared with Brazilian MRLs and crop authorization status. Risk characterization included the hazard quotient (HQ), the hazard index (HI), and the carcinogenic risk (CRisk), estimated using cumulative assessment groups based on shared toxicological targets. Multiple residues were detected across all commodities, with chlorpyrifos, pirimiphos, imidacloprid, malathion, and fipronil most frequently associated with non-compliant samples. Several residues corresponded to pesticides not authorized for the respective crops, suggesting misuse, environmental contamination, or compliance failures; imidacloprid exceeded its MRL in zucchini by more than 70-fold. The carcinogenic risk from atrazine remained below accepted thresholds. In contrast, cumulative non-carcinogenic risk identified cassava, strawberry, and spinach as the commodities of greatest concern, with an HI of 3.16 for cassava. Fipronil residues drove these results, accounting for 83–99% of the cumulative hazard. These findings indicate that regulatory compliance alone may not capture the health risks of pesticide mixtures. Strengthened monitoring, improved traceability, and cumulative risk approaches are needed to protect consumer health and support evidence-based regulation. Full article

Plant anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is a class of significant diseases that severely threatens global crop production. Traditional management strategies, including chemical control, are hindered by inherent limitations such as the frequent emergence of pathogen resistance, low pesticide utilization efficiency, high environmental residue risks, and inconsistent field efficacy. Moreover, achieving further improvements in control efficacy is constrained by the complex biological characteristics of Colletotrichum species, particularly their hemibiotrophic lifestyle and latent infection strategies. In recent years, nanotechnology has emerged as a potential approach for the management of anthracnose. This review summarizes the research progress of various nanomaterials in the control of plant anthracnose. It analyzes the proposed multi-mechanism modes of action of nanomaterials tailored to the specific infection traits of Colletotrichum. Particular emphasis is placed on analyzing the theoretical mechanisms and preliminary in vitro evidence of nano-enabled controlled-release systems in addressing asymptomatic latent infections and achieving targeted, precise delivery. However, it must be emphasized that most current findings are derived from laboratory or controlled-environment studies, and the actual field-scale effectiveness, long-term environmental behavior, and multi-trophic safety of many nanomaterials remain insufficiently confirmed. Building upon these insights, this review thoroughly evaluates the critical challenges facing the agricultural field application of nanomaterials, such as ecotoxicity, formulation stability, scalable industrial production, and regulatory gaps. This review aims to provide objective theoretical support and technical references for achieving safe, efficient, and sustainable nano-enabled green management of plant anthracnose. Full article

Mango (Mangifera indica L.), particularly the ‘Nam Dok Mai’ cultivar, is an economically important fruit crop in Thailand and is widely produced in the Lower Northern Region for domestic consumption and export. However, pesticide residues in mango remain a major food safety concern because of their potential effects on consumer health and compliance with national and international maximum residue limits (MRLs). This study investigated pesticide residue contamination and assessed the dietary health risks associated with mango consumption among different age groups. A total of 255 composite mango samples were collected from production areas in Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun provinces, Thailand. Pesticide residues were analyzed using a validated modified QuEChERS extraction method combined with gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). Multiple pesticide residues were frequently detected in the samples analyzed. Of the detected residues, 22 pesticides exceeded Thai MRL standards and 14 exceeded Codex Alimentarius MRLs. Dietary exposure was evaluated using acute and chronic hazard quotients (HQa and HQc) and cumulative hazard indices (HIa and HIc). The results showed that acute exposure to several insecticides, particularly carbofuran, lambda-cyhalothrin, and fenpropathrin, exceeded acceptable risk thresholds in all age groups. At the pesticide-class level, cumulative acute exposure to organophosphates, carbamates, and pyrethroids showed HIa values greater than 1 in several age groups, suggesting potential short-term health concerns, especially among children. In contrast, chronic exposure to individual pesticides and cumulative pesticide groups remained below the level of concern for all age groups, with HQc and HIc values below 1. These findings indicate that although long-term dietary risk from mango consumption is within acceptable levels, acute exposure to certain pesticide residues may pose non-negligible health risks. Continuous residue monitoring, stricter enforcement of good agricultural practices, and evidence-based risk management are essential to ensure mango safety and protect consumers. Full article

Rare earth elements (REEs) are increasingly recognized as modulators of male reproductive health. This review presents the first comprehensive and critical analysis of the detrimental and potentially beneficial effects of REEs on male vertebrate reproductive function. In vivo and in vitro studies show that elements, particularly Gadolinium, Lanthanum, and Yttrium, share a toxicological profile characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endocrine disruption, and impairment of the blood–testis barrier. These mechanisms converge on both somatic and germ cell populations, ultimately compromising spermatogenesis and hormonal balance. Limited epidemiological data in humans are consistent with experimental findings, indicating inverse associations between seminal REE levels and sperm quality. CeO₂ nanoparticles represent an exception, showing dose-dependent duality: although some murine studies describe toxic effects, a broader and more consistent body of evidence indicates their protective action by restoring testicular homeostasis in diabetic models, in rats exposed to pesticides, pharmacological agents or irradiation, and in in vitro-treated spermatozoa. Preliminary data on Yttrium (YO) and Gadolinium (GdVO₄) nanoparticles similarly point to protective effects under pathological conditions, whereas Neodymium and Samarium show reproductive toxicity, including hormonal disruption and impaired sperm quality. Overall, REEs cannot be considered a homogeneous class: some pose reproductive hazards, others show potential biomedical utility. A systematic, mechanistic research framework is needed to resolve these dualities. It should contextualise reproductive risks in relation to the growing environmental and occupational exposure to REEs, while simultaneously exploring the biomedical potential of those elements that exhibit protective profiles. Full article

Honey is a natural food product highly valued for its nutritional and biological properties. Its quality and safety are increasingly affected by environmental contamination and apicultural practices. Among the most relevant contaminants, pesticide residues, veterinary antibiotics, and heavy metals represent major concerns due to their potential impact on human health. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the occurrence, sources, and distribution of these contaminants in honey, with particular emphasis on their relationship with agricultural activities, environmental pollution, and beekeeping treatments. Advanced analytical techniques, including liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), are highlighted for their ability to enable sensitive multi-residue and trace-level detection. The application of chemometric tools for data analysis and sample classification is also addressed, supporting the identification of contamination patterns and origin-related differences. In addition, recent developments in rapid screening methods and environmentally sustainable analytical approaches are discussed. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and the integration of advanced analytical strategies to ensure honey safety, support regulatory compliance, and protect consumers. Full article

Environmental chemical exposures are increasingly recognized as contributors to metabolic dysfunction, particularly when they occur as chronic, low-dose mixtures rather than as isolated high-dose toxicants. However, current approaches often focus on exposure intensity, single-compound hazard or isolated biomarker associations, and provide limited explanation for why individuals with comparable exposure profiles may develop markedly different metabolic outcomes. This semi-systematic review proposes an Exposure–Adaptive Capacity (EAC) framework to interpret the metabolic consequences of environmental chemical mixtures through the interaction between exposure burden and host adaptive capacity. A structured literature search covered PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science records published through 30 June 2026; a reviewer-triggered PubMed/MEDLINE update was executed on 30 July 2026 using harmonized British and American dyslipidaemia/dyslipidemia terms, explicit eligibility domains and evidence-mapping procedures. The review integrates epidemiological, mechanistic, toxicological and translational evidence related to environmental chemicals, metabolic dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, oxidative stress, inflammation, endocrine disruption, metabolic resilience and biomarkers. The evidence indicates that several chemical classes, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, bisphenols, phthalates, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants and selected metals, converge on mitochondrial bioenergetics, redox regulation, inflammatory signalling, endocrine and nuclear receptor activity, nutrient-sensing networks and adipose tissue function. The EAC framework defines exposure burden as the cumulative biological pressure imposed by chemical mixtures and adaptive capacity as the organism’s functional ability to buffer, compensate for or recover from exposure-induced metabolic stress. To make the framework empirically testable, we specify measurable domains for exposure burden, adaptive capacity and EAC mismatch, and distinguish biomarkers of exposure, early biological effect, adaptive capacity, metabolic dysfunction and vulnerability. A quotient-based expression is retained only as a heuristic representation, while empirical testing is proposed through exposure-by-adaptive-capacity interaction models and complementary multidimensional approaches. The framework provides a structured basis for future exposomic, epidemiological and translational studies by shifting attention from exposure alone to the balance between environmental pressure and biological resilience. Full article

Honey bee colonies play a vital role in ecosystem stability and global food security. Together with bumble bees and other wild bee species, they form a diverse pollinator community that is particularly vulnerable to environmental pollution. Among stressors, environmental xenobiotics including heavy metals, metalloids, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and emerging contaminants such as microplastics pose a growing concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential and capacity to trigger oxidative stress and interact with pathogens, nutritional stress and climate-related extremes. The antioxidant defense system, encompassing enzymatic components (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-dependent enzymes and glutathione-S-transferase) and non-enzymatic antioxidants, represents a key protective mechanism, and its disruption leads to redox imbalance, immunosuppression, and behavioral alterations that can reduce honey bee colony vitality. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the sources, exposure pathways and toxicological effects of major environmental xenobiotics on the antioxidant defense systems of honey bees, with particular emphasis on oxidative-stress biomarkers for early detection of sublethal impairment in field and experimental settings. Where available, evidence from bumble bees and other wild bees is considered to place findings in a broader pollinator-health context and to highlight taxa-specific sensitivities. Work should now concentrate on a validated core panel of redox biomarkers, on chronic multi-stressor exposures that include PFAS and plastic particles, and on biomarker baselines for bumble bees and solitary bees tied to colony- or population-level endpoints. Full article

Achieving uniform agrochemical deposition in coffee is challenging because canopy structure, terrain, and wind conditions influence spray movement and retention. This study compared an unmanned aerial spray system (UASS), backpack sprayer, and tractor-mounted sprayers across three commercial coffee farms on Hawai‘i Island. Spray coverage, droplet density, droplet size metrics, and operational efficiency were evaluated using water-sensitive cards positioned throughout the canopy and analyzed using mixed-effects models. UASS produced significantly lower spray coverage and droplet density than the ground-based application systems, whereas backpack and tractor sprayers did not differ. Deposition patterns varied with canopy position, with application method effects depending on canopy height, depth, and aspect. Volume median diameter decreased in the upper canopy and with increasing wind speed, while relative span varied modestly among methods and was greater within the canopy interior. Canopy position and wind strongly shaped agrochemical deposition across spray platforms. Although UASS required less field labor and improved accessibility in terrain-limited systems, these operational advantages were accompanied by reduced deposition relative to ground-based sprayers. These findings demonstrate that canopy position and environmental conditions strongly influence agrochemical deposition and support UASS as a complementary application platform rather than a direct replacement for conventional sprayers under the conditions evaluated. Full article

Pesticides are widely recognized as hazardous chemicals with potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. Directive 2009/128/EC establishes a framework for the European Union to promote the sustainable use of pesticides and the adoption of alternative agricultural techniques. Specifically, aqueous extracts are complex mixtures of various chemical compounds, such as terpenes, alcohols, aldehydes, and phenols, that have potential herbicidal, insecticidal, and fungicidal properties. Therefore, they can be used as an alternative to pesticides. This study examined the cytocompatibility of 100, 10, 1 and 0.1% Allium sativum L. aqueous extract (ASE) on human cell lines. The aim was to evaluate its effects on viability and cell metabolic activity through in vitro testing to verify the absence of adverse effects for operators who, when using garlic extract in agriculture, may be exposed via dermal contact or inhalation. The results showed that 1 to 0.1% do not significantly affect cell proliferation or viability in all examined cell models, while higher concentrations (≥10%) induced cell line-dependent reductions in viability. In summary, the results suggest the potential use of garlic aqueous extract as a potential low-risk alternative to synthetic pesticides and support its safety for occupational exposure of agricultural workers. Full article

Free-ranging poultry ingest 4–30 g of soil per day, making soil a significant route of organochlorine pesticide (OCP) exposure in agricultural areas with legacy contamination. However, total soil concentrations overestimate actual exposure. Only the bioaccessible fraction, mobilized within the gastrointestinal tract, governs transfer to eggs and meat. Static physiologically based extraction test (PBET) models consistently underestimate this fraction for hydrophobic compounds due to re-equilibration of desorbed contaminants onto the soil matrix. This study applied and evaluated a sink-modified static in vitro gastrointestinal model incorporating Tenax resin as a sorption sink to assess OCP bioaccessibility in spiked aged soil under simulated poultry digestive conditions. The aqueous phase-only fraction (gastric plus intestinal liquid) ranged from 0.004 to 17.1%, while the aqueous phase plus sorption sink (Tenax) fraction, measured from the same intestinal phase incubation, ranged from 24.0 to 52.7%, with the largest relative changes observed for HCH isomers (from near-undetectable levels without Tenax) and 2.7- to 4.3-fold increases for DDT-related compounds, a difference confirmed as statistically significant (paired t-test) for six of the seven compounds. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences among compounds (F(6,21) = 5.53, p = 0.0014). Tukey’s HSD showed that β-HCH (56.1 ± 10.6%) and 4,4′-DDT (55.6 ± 24.0%) had significantly higher bioaccessibility than γ-HCH (25.8 ± 0.9%), 2,4′-DDD (22.2 ± 18.0%), and 4,4′-DDE (22.0 ± 5.7%), while α-HCH (28.6 ± 3.9%) and 4,4′-DDD (33.9 ± 8.1%) occupied an intermediate position, not significantly different from either group. A substantial fraction of mobilized OCPs was associated with the Tenax sink (17–53%), confirming that aqueous phase measurements alone underestimate the bioaccessible pool. These results demonstrate the importance of including a sorption sink in poultry-informed gastrointestinal models for accurate assessment of OCP transfer from contaminated soil to food products. Full article

Acetamiprid (ACE) and fipronil (FIP) are extensively applied broad-spectrum insecticides. They are recalcitrant to degradation and accumulate along food chains, creating prominent residual hazards to food security and ecological environments. Herein, a high-stability competitive electrochemical immunosensor was established for quantitative detection of ACE and FIP. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) characterized the layer-by-layer assembly of sensing interfaces, verifying the validity of competitive immune recognition. Under optimal conditions, the sensor exhibited linear ranges of 0.49–125.0 ng/mL for ACE and 0.49–62.5 ng/mL for FIP, with all determination coefficients (R² > 0.99). The limits of detection (LODs) reached 0.33 ng/mL and 0.25 ng/mL, respectively. Spike-recovery detection on six fruit and vegetable matrices yielded recoveries of 84.63–100.80% with RSDs less than 7.8%, which confirmed excellent consistency between the immunosensor and standard LC-MS. This sensing platform combines fast response, high sensitivity, and superior stability, delivering a novel technical approach for rapid on-site screening of trace ACE and FIP residues in agricultural and environmental samples, and offering technical support for food safety supervision and pesticide risk assessment. Full article

The contamination of water bodies with organic pollutants has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges of the modern era. The continuous discharge of dyes, pesticides, agricultural runoff, and pharmaceutical residues into the aquatic ecosystem degrades water quality. Long-term exposure to these organic pollutants poses a severe risk to human and aquatic life. ZnO and TiO₂ have emerged as promising photocatalysts, particularly for degrading organic waste in wastewater. However, their photocatalytic activity is limited to the UV region due to their wide band gaps. To improve nanoparticle efficiency, polydopamine (PDA) is incorporated as a modifying agent. PDA-modified ZnO and TiO₂ nanocomposites exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of various organic pollutants under visible light, compared with their unmodified counterparts. Furthermore, they exhibit improved antibacterial activity against a variety of waterborne pathogens; this is advantageous as wastewater contains both chemical pollutants and microorganisms. Thus, the combined photocatalytic and antibacterial properties of PDA-modified ZnO and TiO₂ make them promising materials for next-generation wastewater treatment. Full article

Strobilurin fungicides are among the most widely used agrochemicals worldwide. Dimoxystrobin has been shown to induce hepatic injury in adult zebrafish; however, whether this damage also involves early extracellular matrix remodelling and hepatobiliary remodelling remains unknown. Here, we investigated early remodelling of the extracellular matrix, focusing on initial collagen deposition and glycosaminoglycan redistribution after a short-term exposure (96 h) to two environmentally relevant concentrations of dimoxystrobin (6.56 and 13.13 µg/L) on the liver of Danio rerio using an integrated histological, histochemical, and semi-quantitative approach. The results showed a progressive dose-dependent alteration of hepatic architecture, accompanied by a significant increase in bile pigment-like deposits and collagen deposition. Exposure also induced a significant increase in the deposition of acidic glycosaminoglycans and a severe depletion of glycogen-dependent Periodic Acid–Schiff positivity components, accompanied by an increase in amylase-resistant Periodic Acid–Schiff reactive components. Overall, these findings indicate that dimoxystrobin-induced hepatotoxicity extends beyond parenchymal degeneration to encompass coordinated stromal and hepatobiliary remodelling. The present study also indicates that the periductal microenvironment may represent a sensitive target of dimoxystrobin toxicity and supports the use of histochemical and semi-quantitative analyses as sensitive tools for detecting sublethal pesticide-induced early extracellular matrix remodelling in fish liver. Full article

The widespread use of thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid pesticide, poses increasing risks to environmental and food safety, highlighting the urgent need for rapid, selective, and biomass-derived analytical platforms. In this study, fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized from rice straw via a water-based hydrothermal approach and subsequently functionalized with a biopolymer-based molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for the selective detection of thiamethoxam. The synthesized CDs exhibited strong blue fluorescence with a maximum emission wavelength at 455 nm. Integration of the CDs with a thin MIP layer generated specific binding cavities complementary to thiamethoxam, significantly enhancing selectivity toward the target analyte over structurally related neonicotinoids. The resulting CD@MIP sensor demonstrated rapid and concentration-dependent fluorescence quenching, with a wide linear detection range from 1 to 500 nM and a limit of detection of 9.15 nM. An imprinting factor of 3.54 confirmed the selective recognition capability of the imprinted system. The developed sensing platform was successfully validated using real environmental water samples, achieving recovery values between 100% and 102% with relative standard deviations ranging from 0.9% to 2.5%, thereby demonstrating good accuracy and reproducibility. Overall, this work presents a biomass-derived and efficient fluorescent sensing platform for monitoring pesticide residues, with promising applications in environmental monitoring and food safety analysis. Full article