Search

The bioaccumulation of pesticides in honeybee products (HBPs) should be studied for a number of reasons. The presence of pesticides in HBPs can provide new data on the risk related to the use of pesticides and their role in bee colony losses. Moreover, the degree of contamination of HBPs can lower their quality, weaken their beneficial properties, and, in consequence, may endanger human health. The aim of this study was to quantify a broad range of pesticide residues in three different HBPs—bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. Samples were collected in the years 2017–2019 from the apiary in west-central Poland. Bee products were analyzed for the presence of over 550 pesticides using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method. Twenty-nine of the contaminants were quantified at least in one of the samples. Nine of them exceeded the maximum residue levels for honey. It should be noted that any dose of pesticides can cause a health hazard due to toxicity, since these substances may act synergistically. This current study revealed the high need for the pesticide monitoring of HBPs and proved that there is a need to expand the European Union Pesticides Database to include more HBPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision pesticide application mainly relies on canopy volume, resulting in varied application effectiveness across different density areas of orchard trees. This study examined pesticide application effectiveness based on the spray wind, canopy volume, and leaf area within the canopy, providing variable bases for precise regulation of spray wind and pesticide dosage. The study addresses the knowledge gap by utilizing laser detection and ranging (LiDAR) to measure the thickness and leaf area of orchard tree canopies. The spray experiments were conducted on canopies of different regions, using an air-assisted sprayer with varying fan speeds of 1381 r/min, 1502 r/min, and 1676 r/min. The deposition effects were analyzed using water-sensitive papers. The inlet air speed within the canopy did not increase proportionally when the spray fan speed increased, and it showed a significant variation in locations with sparse foliage. Furthermore, droplets exhibited abnormal median volume diameters of the canopy regions with lower wind loss rates and smaller leaf areas. The influences were in the order of canopy thickness, leaf area, and inlet air speed on the cumulative deposition of droplets on both sides of the water-sensitive papers, as well as the ratio of deposition between the two sides, from big to small, are inlet air speed, leaf area, and canopy thickness. The study provides a scientific foundation for air control in precision pesticide application in apple orchards and contributes to the rapid development of precision spraying technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexaconazole, a triazole insecticide, is widely used to control rust disease in Welsh onions. Residue levels of pesticides vary based on the cooking methods. Although studies on hexaconazole residue have involved vegetables such as cabbage, research on Welsh onion is limited. This study investigated the effect of different cooking methods on hexaconazole residues. Welsh onion was processed by common cooking methods such as stir-frying, boiling, and baking, and analyzed for pesticide residues using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that the removal rates of pesticides after cooking were 40.0–62.9% for stir-frying, 80.0–91.4% for boiling, and 51.4–77.1% for baking. Regardless of cutting thickness (0.8 cm or 5 cm), the reduction rate of pesticide residues increased with time during boiling. Increased reduction rates were also observed with increased time during baking. As stir-frying time increased, the residue amount increased due to water loss. However, the absolute amount of the pesticide decreased with increasing time. Therefore, the residue amount of hexaconazole in Welsh onion was reduced by various general cooking processes. These findings can provide a valuable foundation for research on Welsh onion processing, address consumer concerns about pesticide residues, and provide baseline data for risk assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture in the European Union is constantly the subject of public debate, particularly concerning reduced mineral fertilisation and reduced chemical plant protection. Hybrid rye could play a special role in this context, as it usually requires less fertiliser and pesticides than winter wheat and has a high yield potential. In Germany, both crops can be grown on most sites. To test whether hybrid rye is competitive with winter wheat, a trial was conducted with 10 hybrid rye and 20 wheat varieties of all quality levels. The trial was grown for three years (2021, 2022, 2023) on three conventionally managed farms with 40–64 soil points (on a scale of 1–100) in south-west Germany. It was conducted with two input levels: I1, fertilisation (100–120 kg N/ha for hybrid rye; 140–180 kg N/ha for winter wheat), and chemical plant protection including growth regulators; I2, no chemical plant protection, and 20% reduced N fertilisation, one to three harrows. In eight out of nine location × year combinations, hybrid rye was significantly (p < 0.001) superior to winter wheat in terms of grain yield under these conditions. On average, hybrid rye yielded 9.1 and 7.8 t ha−1 for I1 and I2, respectively, compared to 8.0 and 6.8 t ha−1 for wheat, respectively. A close correlation of the cultivar's grain yield between I1 and I2 for both crops showed a missing cultivar × input level interaction. Under these conditions, hybrid rye produced higher grain yields and better baking quality than wheat in both input regimes, contributing to a more sustainable cropping system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The French wine industry is spread across the country and represents 789,000 ha (2023). Over 20% of the plant protection products (PPPs) sold in France are used in viticulture on less than 4% of the French UAA (Utilized Agricultural Area). The share of wine estates with organic farming certification has risen sharply, reaching 9% of French vineyards in 2016. The position occupied by the wine sector on both the national and international scale confirms the need to examine the impacts of different management practices in viticulture on human health and the environment. This study presents an approach to the assessment of plant protection practices in vineyards based on indicators of plant protection pressure and risk. It was carried out on wine-growing farms in the southwest of France, surveyed according to the two farming systems: conventional/integrated and organic. The main objective of this study was to compare the health and environmental impact of the PPPs used in these two farming systems. The impact assessment result of wine-growing plant protection practices shows that some pesticides and molecules used in organic farming, especially those based on copper and sulfur, are more harmful than products used in conventional/integrated farming, in particular to the environment. For this reason, all stakeholders involved in pesticide management should recognize the health and environmental impact of PPPs in order to reduce and to control their toxicity risks to public health and the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The current study intends to establish the pest management approach for smallholder maize farmers on storage pests of maize and determine their current control practices. We administered a questionnaire to maize farmers from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The study found that metal tanks are the farmers most preferred storage facility of maize. The results showed that maize was mostly infested by maize weevils and maize grain moths. Farmers reported managing these pests using chemical pesticides. The extensive usage of this pesticide in protecting stored maize could cause human health-related issues and may result in the development of pest resistance. This study aims to establish the pest management approach for pests of stored maize and determine the current control practices. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 77 smallholder farmers from 16 villages at King Sabata Dalindyebo local municipality in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The results revealed that about 50% of the farmers had a formal education, the average farm size was 1 hectare, and they were predominantly cultivating yellow maize. Most farmers (57%) cultivated maize for human consumption, income generation, and livestock feeding. The results also showed that metal tanks tended to be the most preferred (81.82%) storage facility for storing maize. Furthermore, the study found that Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky and Sitotroga cerealella (Olivier) were the major storage insect pests of maize. The storage pests were managed using synthetic pesticides (84.42%), namely aluminium phosphide. This pesticide is a solid formulation for generating gas phosphine for fumigation. The continued indiscriminate use of this pesticide in protecting stored maize in this region could be a health hazard to humans and may result in the development of pest resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Stored-product pests are usually controlled with fumigation, but one common fumigant, methyl bromide, has been banned, and other pesticides have been found to not be as effective. So, we studied a new fumigant called ethanedinitrile (EDN) to see if it could control a mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae and how the fumigant interacts with dry-cured ham. The study showed that T. putrescentiae eggs were the hardest to kill, with an effective concentration of 0.6 mg/L. At a concentration of 1.3 mg/L, the entire population was killed, and at 0.6 mg/L, less than 0.05% survived after 24 h at 25 °C. When EDN was used in chambers with ham, 97% of it was absorbed by the ham after 24 h. The absorption rate followed a predictable pattern, with half of the EDN absorbed in 5 h at the lower concentration (2.6 mg/L) and about the same time for the higher concentration (4.8 mg/L). EDN was lost at rates of 12.8% and 13.2% per hour, depending on the concentration. This study shows that EDN can be an effective way to control T. putrescentiae in the lab, which could help manage these pests in the future. Management of stored-product pests has historically relied on fumigation when pest populations become large. However, the ban of the fumigant methyl bromide and the ineffectiveness of other pesticides stress the need for alternative fumigants. Therefore, laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of ethanedinitrile (EDN) against different life stages of the mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae and to determine the sorption and desorption of EDN by dry-cured ham meat. The results showed that eggs were the most tolerant life stage to EDN fumigation, with an estimated LC50 of 0.6 mg/L. Tyrophagus putrescentiae mixed life-stage colonies were controlled at 1.3 mg/L, and less than 0.05% of the population survived following treatment with 0.6 mg/L within 24 h at 25 °C. The free-headspace concentrations of EDN in fumigation chambers containing ham decreased by 97% of the initial concentrations applied (2.6 and 4.8 mg/L) after the 24 h fumigation period. The EDN sorption in ham followed the first-order kinetics, with half-life values of 5.0 and 4.9 h for 2.6 and 4.8 mg/L, respectively. The percentage losses of EDN per hour were calculated to be 12.8 and 13.2% at 2.6 and 4.8 mg/L, respectively. Our study indicates that EDN controls T. putrescentiae in the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternaria toxins (ATs) are a group of toxins produced by Alternaria fungi that frequently contaminate tomatoes and tomato products. Recently, the European Food Safety Authority evaluated ATs for their genotoxic and carcinogenic properties. Alternaria infestation is often controlled using ad hoc treatment strategies (fungicides). In this study, two analytical methods were developed, validated and applied for the determination of five ATs and 195 pesticides in tomato products collected from the Italian market. Two distinct groups, organic (n = 20) and conventional (n = 20) Italian tomato sauces, were characterized in depth. Tenuazonic acid, alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether were found up to 517, 27 and 7.1 µg/kg, respectively, while pesticides were detected between 0.0026 and 0.0421 mg/kg in conventional products, and, interestingly, up to 0.0130 mg/kg in organic products. No correlation emerged between the detected levels of ATs and pesticides and the type of tomato cultivation, but the probability of pesticide contamination in conventional products was eight times higher than in organics. Some considerations about exposure assessment and risk characterization for ATs were also proposed in the overall population and in more sensitive and/or exposed subgroups, underlining the need for new focused toxicological and monitoring studies to establish reliable reference values. Moreover, these data highlight that fungicide treatments may not protect tomatoes from ATs contamination, although it may remove fungi infestation. As organic product consumption is increasing, it is important to lay down dedicated regulations for maximum permitted levels to ensure the food safety of these products that are often perceived by consumers as a healthier and environmentally friendlier choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orchard air-assisted sprayer exhibits strong droplet penetration, allowing uniform adhesion on both the front and back surfaces of leaves. The spray deposition and spray drift are influenced not only by the amount of pesticide but also by the airflow provided by the air-assisted system. To meet the requirements for regulating airflow and pesticide application in orchards, a method based on the iris structure for continuous adjustment of the air inlet area was proposed. An airflow control mechanism for orchard air-assisted sprayers, which is easy to install, was developed, and a circular recirculating pressure-stabilized spray system was designed. Additionally, an orchard sprayer supporting graded airflow control was developed. Experiments were conducted to assess airflow variation within the tree canopy and the spray deposition and spray drift under different airflow levels. The results showed that the average airflow attenuation rates in the canopy were 63.0%, 71.8%, and 82.5% for the leaf areas and canopy thicknesses of 826.5 cm2, 1409.8 cm2, and 1931.1 cm2, and 1.5 m, 2.0 m, and 2.5 m, respectively. Graded variable control of airflow based on canopy variation helps improve droplet uniformity within the canopy and reduce spray drift in non-target areas. When the airflow in the middle of the tree canopy exceeds 1.50 m/s, the spray deposition ratio on both sides of the leaves increases to 83.55%, and the coefficient of variation in the droplet deposition on both sides is less than 33.24%. These findings provide support for pesticide precision application and spray drift control in orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the second most common congenital anomaly and have been widely associated with exposure to pesticides. This systematic review which analyzes the association between parental exposure to pesticides and NTDs was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The search strategy was designed considering the population, exposure, controls, outcomes, and study design (PECOS). The inclusion criteria were epidemiological studies involving pesticides exposure during embryonic development, written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, and performed in 12 databases. Based on the eligibility criteria, 16 articles were selected for analysis. The most frequently assessed NTDs were anencephaly and spina bifida, with 14 studies investigating each of these conditions. The assessment of pesticide exposure was based on parental occupation and residential proximity to agricultural fields. Studies differed regarding the pesticides assessed, exposure windows, and parents exposed. Regarding the outcomes, it was observed that geographic proximity to agricultural fields and a greater association with family members exposed to pesticides were found in mothers and neonates with NTDs. In relation to occupational exposure, some articles found an association with NTDs, while others did not. Therefore, an analysis of the available evidence suggests that pesticides are a risk factor in the development of NTDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) have become one of the most widely used pesticides in Chinese agriculture; however, methods to identify potential restrictions on OPs molecules are lacking. Therefore, this study retrieved the OPs restriction list and constructed eight multi-class, multi-category machine learning models for OPs restrictions. Among these, the random forest (RF) model demonstrated excellent predictive performance, as it was successfully validated and applied. Potential environmental transformation products of OPs were obtained using EAWAG-BBD software, while toxicity indicators for the parent OPs and their transformation products were predicted with ADMETlab 3.0 software. This study found that unrestricted OPs, such as phorate, parathion, and chlorpyrifos, exhibited a high probability of toxicity. Additionally, the environmental transformation products of OPs posed similar comprehensive toxicity risks as the parent compounds. A special attention list for OPs was created based on the toxicity risks of unrestricted parent OPs and their transformation products, using standard deviation classification. Phorate and parathion were identified as OPs requiring special attention. This paper aims to provide an effective method for identifying the potential restriction levels of OPs and to propose an evaluation system that comprehensively considers the health risk, thereby supporting the improvement and optimization of management and usage strategies for OPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is one of the popular herbicides that is widely used in agriculture and can be found in food and water. A rapid and sensitive fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) was proposed for the detection of 2,4-D in juice and water. New tracers, 2,4-D-buthylenediamin fluoresceinthiocarbamyl (2,4-D-BDF) and 2,4-D-glycine aminofluorescein (2,4-D-GAF), were obtained and characterized. Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) obtained against 2,4-D were used as a recognition reagent. The kinetics of the interaction of MAb and tracers were studied, and the kinetic parameters of their binding were calculated. High specificity of binding of tracers and MAb was shown. In this work, an approach was elaborated on to reduce the detection limit of 2,4-D by the FPIA method by changing the volume of the studied sample. The optimized FPIA in a competitive format was characterized by the LODs of 2,4-D 8 and 0.4 ng/mL and the working ranges 30–3000 ng/mL and 3–300 ng/mL for juice and water, respectively. The entire test cycle (from sample receipt to evaluation of the analysis results) took only 20 min. The test for the recovery of 2,4-D in juice and water gave values from 95 to 120%, which demonstrated the reliability of the herbicide determination in real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous concerns associated with the use of synthetic pesticides have led to important initiatives aimed at ensuring eco-friendly practices in pest and disease control. Third-generation pesticides, biopesticides, have become a key factor in those efforts, capturing the attention of researchers worldwide. To evaluate trends in biopesticide research over the past three decades, a bibliometric analysis was performed on bibliographic data sourced from the Web of Science database. This analysis included metrics such as publication dynamics, types of documents, and assessments of research fields and categories. Co-authorship, citation, and co-occurrence networks were visualized using VOSviewer software to identify collaboration patterns, influential publications, emerging topics, and interdisciplinary connections. A total of 5054 publications on the topic of 'biopesticide' were found (1994–2024), nearly half of which were published in the last five years. Out of 136 contributing countries, researchers from the USA, People's Republic of China, and India produced the most publications, while a total of 19,676 authors contributed to at least one paper throughout the entire examined period. The identification of the most frequently used keywords highlighted significant topics within biopesticide-related publications, from the earliest to the most recent, aiding in our understanding of the developmental trajectory and opportunities for future exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main obstacles in rice cultivation is tungro disease, caused by Rice Tungro Spherical Virus (RTSV) and Rice Tungro Bacilliform Virus (RTBV), which are transmitted by green leafhopper vectors (Nephotettix virescens). This disease can be controlled by using pesticides and refugia plants. Excessive use of pesticides can have negative impacts and high costs, so it is necessary to control the use of pesticides. In this study, a mathematical model of the spread of tungro virus disease in rice plants was developed by considering the characteristics of the virus, the presence of green leafhoppers and natural enemies, refugia planting, and pesticide use. From this model, dynamic and sensitivity analyses were carried out, and the optimal control theory was searched using the Pontryagin minimum principle. The analysis results showed three equilibriums: two non-endemic equilibriums (when plant and vector populations exist and when plant, vector, and natural enemy populations exist) and one endemic equilibrium. The non-endemic equilibrium will be asymptotically stable locally if R 0 < 1 . At the same time, the parameters that greatly influence the spread of this disease are parameters μ ,   μ 2 , and ϕ for local sensitivity analysis and α ,   a ,   β ,   b ,   ϕ , and μ 2 for global sensitivity analysis. The results of the numerical simulation show that control using combined control is more effective in reducing the intensity of the spread of tungro disease in rice plants than control in the form of planting refugia plants as a source of food for natural enemies. The use of pesticides is sufficient for only four days, so the costs incurred are quite effective in controlling the spread of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study examines the attitude of Romanian small farmers towards ground mole infestations, analysing texts from social media and blog discussions. We explore the concerns and attitudes of these small farmers, and what methods they use to repel moles, with a focus on environmental impact and relevant aspects for the human-mole relationship. In this paper, we analyse the attitudes and sentiments of Romanian smallholders towards mole infestations, as expressed in online contexts. A corpus of texts on the topic of ground moles and how to get rid of them was collected from social media and blog thread discussions. The texts were analysed using topic modelling, clustering, and sentiment analysis, revealing both negative and positive sentiments and attitudes. The methods used by farmers when dealing with ground moles involve both eco-friendly repellent solutions and toxic substances and pesticides. Even well-intentioned farmers are discouraged by crop and lawn damage, resorting to environmentally aggressive solutions. The study shows that the relationship between humans and moles could be improved by active education on effective ecological agricultural approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey, a natural food with a rich history, is produced by honeybees and other species of bees from nectar, other plant fluids, and honeydew of sap-sucking insects. During foraging, these bees may be exposed to plant protection products (PPPs), metals, and metalloids, potentially leading to residues in honey and hive products that could have a negative impact on human safety. Recognizing the lack of an appropriate methodology for pesticide contamination of honey and other hive products, this research aims to support the need for studies on residues in pollen and bee products for human consumption to establish safe maximum residue levels (MRLs) for consumers. A UHPLC-MS/MS residues method and a modified QuEChERS extraction were applied to simultaneously determine 237 pesticide residues in honey and pollen. The study in North Sardinia analyzed honey and pollen samples from six areas for pesticide residues and verified 27 heavy metals and metalloid residues using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The data obtained showed residues at levels close to the LOQ of the method, cycloate in a few samples of pollen, and dichlorvos, zoxamide, cycloate, and chlorantraniliprole in honey samples. All samples showed the absence of heavy metal contamination. Overall, no risk to human health was identified. The results of this study confirm that honey and pollen may be a good bioindicator of environmental contamination of a wide area surrounding honeybee hives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multicolor immunoassay is a powerful tool for rapid analysis without the use of bulky instruments owing to various color conversions, which is suitable for on-site visual analysis for pesticides. Herein, this study developed a multicolor immunoassay for the rapid detection of isocarbophos. After competitive immunoassay, the secondary antibody (GAM-ALP) catalyzed ascorbyl-2-phosphate (AAP) into ascorbic acid (AA). The AA can reduce K3[Fe(CN)6] into K4[Fe(CN)6]. The latter can react with Fe3+ to form Prussian blue; otherwise, the orange AAP-Fe3+ complex was generated. Therefore, the multicolor immunoassay achieved a color conversion of orange–green–blue in response to isocarbophos, allowing for rapid semiquantitative analysis by the naked eye. After parameter optimization, the multicolor immunoassay was developed depending on the ratiometric absorbance between the Prussian blue and AAP-Fe3+ complex. Moreover, a smartphone was used to measure the RGB value of the color conversion for the development of portable visual, quantitative analysis. Both the absorbance-based and RGB-based multicolor immunoassays showed good accuracy and practicability in the recovery test. This study provided a common approach for the development of dual-readout multicolor immunoassay, which can be used for on-site rapid screening by quantitative or visual semiquantitative analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture and food production use very large amounts of plant protection products. These include insecticides, including pyrethroids, which belong to the third generation of pesticides. Although the ecotoxicity of these compounds is well known, their effect on environmental bacteria is still undefined. The aim of the presented research was to determine how permethrin can change the metabolism and surface properties of bacterial cells isolated from surface waters. Bacteria from water from a protected area (Snowy Ponds, Karkonosze National Park, Poland, 50°46′58″ N 15°33′47″ E) and a relatively polluted Kierskie Lake (52°27′10″ N 16°47′35″ E) next to the Poznań (Poland) agglomeration were compared. The obtained results showed that for the tested microorganisms, the toxic effect of permethrin is observed at 1000 ppm for water consortia and pure strains as well, except Bacillus thuringiensis KlaKry, which appeared to be resistant to the insecticide. What is more, the bacteria consortium from Kierskie Lake appeared to be more sensitive to insecticide, from the perspective of compound toxicity. At the same time, the metabolism assessed using EcoPlate™ showed that permethrin is not a factor determining the lower assimilation of various carbon sources, excluding carboxylic acids. Permethrin exposure also resulted in the decreased hydrophobicity of bacterial cells and increased permeability of their cell membrane. As a result, the obtained results show that if permethrin itself is not highly toxic, it can affect the properties of the cell wall and membrane. Consequently, it can potentially change the susceptibility of environmental bacteria to other xenobiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the distribution of commonly used pesticides and their metabolites in drinking water before and after treatment at drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in the Yangtze River Delta and to assess the health risks from the perspective of non-carcinogenicity and carcinogenicity. A total of 85 pesticides and their metabolites were analyzed in source, finished, and tap water using online solid-phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Across 91 water samples, 31 parent compounds and 9 metabolites were detected, with the median total concentrations of 62.2 (range: 6.20 to 392) ng/L. Atrazine, 2-hydroxyatrazine, and S-metolachlor were detected in all samples. Advanced treatment processes at DWTPs effectively reduced the residues of pesticides and their metabolites (removal rates 51.5~95.2%), with removal rates for metabolites significantly lower than those for parent compounds (p = 0.03). Regarding health risks, the estimated carcinogenic risk for pesticides and metabolites detected in tap water was within acceptable limits and the non-carcinogenic risk was insignificant. However, it is important to note that both of the two compounds with the relatively highest non-carcinogenic risks are pesticide metabolites. Overall, this study showed that despite dozens of pesticides and metabolites being detected in water from the Yangtze River Delta, their health risks were assessed to be insignificant. The lower effectiveness of current advanced treatments in removing pesticide metabolites indicates the necessity of technique improvement in DWTPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the compatibility of two new biocontrol fungi with common chemical pesticides, this study examined the effects of three insecticides, namely, avermectin, imidacloprid, and acetamiprid, and three fungicides, namely, chlorogenonil, boscalid, and kasugamycin, on the mycelial growth and spore germination of Cordyceps javanica strains IF-1106 and IJ-tg19. The insecticidal effects of mixed insecticides or fungicides with good compatibility with C. javanica IJ-tg19 against Myzus persicae were tested. The results showed that the six chemical pesticides exerted different degrees of inhibition on the mycelial growth of both C. javanica strains, with an obvious dose-dependent effect. The inhibitory effect of chlorothalonil on the mycelial growth of IF-1106 and IJ-tg19 was greater than 75%. Different kinds and concentrations of chemical pesticides had significant effects on spore germination. Among them, acetamiprid had little inhibitory effect on C. javanica spores. Therefore, the two C. javanica strains exhibited good compatibility with the insecticide acetamiprid and had some compatibility with avermectin and imidacloprid. Among the fungicides, the compatibility of the two strains of biocontrol fungi was the best with kasugamycin, followed by boscalid, while their compatibility with chlorothalonil showed the least compatibility. The median lethal time (LT50) of five concentrations of C. javanica IJ-tg19 (1 × 103, 1 × 104, 1 × 105, 1 × 106, and 1 × 107 spore/mL) mixed with acetamiprid against M. persicae were 5.28, 4.56, 3.80, 2.73, and 2.13 days, respectively, and the insecticidal rate was higher than that of fungus treatment alone (5.19, 4.59, 4.05, 3.32, and 2.94 days, respectively) or chemical pesticide treatment (5.36 days). This study provides data support and a theoretical basis for reducing the use of chemical pesticides, improving the efficiency of C. javanica-based insecticides, and optimizing the synergistic use of fungi and chemical pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of pesticides remains a necessary measure for pest management in agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. After harvest, the presence of pesticide residues in greengrocery (fruits and vegetables) is significantly influenced by various factors, including storage conditions, handling practices, and subsequent processing methods. The mitigation of these residues to levels compliant with regulated maximum thresholds ensures the safety of raw and processed fruits and vegetables for consumption. A contemporary survey of pesticide residues in greengrocery has gathered considerable attention from consumers, driven by concerns over the potential health risk of pesticide exposure. Consequently, consumers want to be extensively informed about household processing techniques to minimize associated risks. Meanwhile, a critical question arises: does household processing effectively eliminate pesticide residues? A comprehensive review of the literature reveals that conventional methods, such as washing and soaking, offer only limited reduction in residue levels, while emerging treatments, suitable both at household and industrial scale, demonstrate increased efficiency in residues mitigation. This study aims to emphasise the ubiquitous use of pesticides in crop cultivation while providing recommendations for the implementation of efficient treatment protocols to address residue concerns. Following upon available evidence and database mining, the worldwide purpose must be to outline agriculturally and economically viable strategies that prioritize both the health and safety of consumers, as well as the green cultivation and processing of fruits and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to pesticides such as paraquat and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been linked to harmful health effects, including alterations in male reproduction. Both herbicides are widely used in developing countries and have been associated with reproductive alterations, such as disruption of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. The thyroid axis and Ca2+-permeable ion channels play a key role in these processes, and their disruption can lead to reproductive issues and even infertility. This study evaluated the short-term effects of exposure to commercial herbicides based on paraquat and 2,4-D on gene expression in rat testes. At the molecular level, exposure to paraquat increased the expression of the thyroid hormone transporters monocarboxylate transporter 8 (Mct8) and organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1C1 (Oatp1c1) and the thyroid receptor alpha (TRα), suggesting a possible endocrine disruption. However, it did not alter the expression of the sperm-associated cation channels (CatSper1-2) or vanilloid receptor-related osmotically activated channel (Trpv4) related to sperm motility. In contrast, exposure to 2,4-D reduced the expression of the Mct10 transporter, Dio2 deiodinase, and CatSper1, which could affect both the availability of T3 in testicular cells and sperm quality, consistent with previous studies. However, 2,4-D did not affect the expression of CatSper2 or Trpv4. Deregulation of gene expression could explain the alterations in male reproductive processes reported by exposure to paraquat and 2,4-D. These thyroid hormone-related genes can serve as molecular biomarkers to assess endocrine disruption due to exposure to these herbicides, aiding in evaluating the health risks of pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu) is a worldwide hidden health threat that is associated with progressive loss of kidney functions without showing any initial symptoms until reaching end-stage renal failure, eventually leading to death. It is a growing health problem in Asia, Central America, Africa, and the Middle East, with identified hotspots. CKDu disease mainly affects young men in rural farming communities, while its etiology is not related to hypertension, kidney stones, diabetes, or other known causes. The main suspected causal factors are heat-stress, dehydration, exposure to agrochemicals, heavy metals and use of hard water, infections, mycotoxins, nephrotoxic agents, altitude, and genetic factors. This review gives an overview of CKDu and sheds light on its medical history, geographic distribution, and worldwide prevalence. It also summarizes the suspected causal factors, their proposed mechanisms of action, as well as the main methods used in the CKDu prior detection and surveillance. In addition, mitigation measures to reduce the burden of CKDu are also discussed. Further investigation utilizing more robust study designs would provide a better understanding of the risk factors linked to CKDu and their comparison between affected regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Insect decline is a global environmental issue. Its causes are not yet fully understood due to the complexity of contributing factors, and a lack of historical data. Here, we investigate a set of 92 potential drivers and their development over the past decades, in connection with a dataset on insect biomass decline in Western Germany over 33 years. Among potential drivers, factors related to landscape structure and land management changes were most significant. Besides increasing urbanization, grassland management intensification, shifts in arable land use towards bioenergy and feed crop cultivation, and dairy farming intensification are among the likely key factors linked to insect decline in the region. Conversely, no obvious links were found to climate and weather, or to crop protection. Our results suggest that land management intensification can be considered an important driver of insect decline in central Europe, rather than land-use change, which is largely restricted to urbanization. Consequently, improved landscape management, including an optimized balance between extensively and intensively managed areas and natural habitats, and conservation of structural landscape diversity could offer solutions to counteract insect decline. Our results will help facilitate more targeted and focused action against insect decline by highlighting likely causative factors. The decline of insects is a global concern, yet identifying the factors behind it remains challenging due to the complexity of potential drivers and underlying processes, and the lack of quantitative historical data on insect populations. This study assesses 92 potential drivers of insect decline in West Germany, where significant declines have been observed. Using data from federal statistical offices and market surveys, the study traces changes in landscape structure and agricultural practices over 33 years. Over the years, the region underwent major landscape changes, including reduced cropland and grassland and increased urbanization and forest areas. Potential detected drivers of insect decline include: (1) urban expansion, reducing insect habitats as urban areas increased by 25%; (2) intensified grassland management; (3) shifts in arable land use towards bioenergy and feed crop cultivation, particularly corn, driven by dairy farming intensification and renewable energy policies. While the toxic load of pesticide application has decreased, land-use changes, most likely driven by market demands and shifts in national and EU policies, have reduced habitat availability and suitability for insects. This study highlights how these landscape and land management changes over the past 33 years align with the observed decline in insect biomass in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Declines in bumblebee abundance have been documented in recent decades, mostly attributed to agricultural intensification, landscape simplification and loss of semi-natural grasslands. We investigated the effects of landscape composition on bumblebee abundance at different spatial scales in 476 semi-natural grassland sites in southern Sweden. The area of arable land had a negative effect on total bumblebee abundance at all scales. This was most pronounced for short-tongued species, species typical of forested landscapes, and species with medium to large colony sizes and early queen emergence. The negative effect of arable land on bumblebees suggests that there is scope for improving their conservation, for example, by reducing pesticide use, improving crop diversity and promoting the presence of floral resources and alternative bumblebee habitats, such as species-rich field margins. Conservation of bumblebee populations is essential because of their role as pollinators. Declines in bumblebee abundance have been documented in recent decades, mostly attributed to agricultural intensification, landscape simplification and loss of semi-natural grasslands. In this study, we investigated the effects of landscape composition on bumblebee abundance at different spatial scales in 476 semi-natural grassland sites in southern Sweden. The area of arable land had a negative effect on total bumblebee abundance at all scales. This was most pronounced for short-tongued bumblebees, species typical of forested landscapes, and species with medium to large colony sizes and early queen emergence. The area of semi-natural grassland had a clear negative effect up to 1 km, affecting short-tongued bumblebees in both forested and agricultural landscapes and species with medium colony sizes and early queen emergence. The negative effect of arable land on bumblebees calls for action to adapt farming practices to ensure their conservation, e.g., by reducing pesticide use, improving crop diversity and promoting the presence of floral resources and alternative bumblebee habitats, such as species-rich field margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excessive use of pesticides in agriculture causes problems related to public health; biodiversity; the contamination of water bodies, soil and air; and general environmental degradation, including interactions with climate change effects. The aim of this work was to describe the patterns of pesticide use in 17 Latin American countries and their associations with the total harvested area and the harvested areas of the five main crops on the basis of statistics reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization from 1990 to 2021. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed four different patterns among countries according to the magnitude of pesticide application: Brazil (G1) > Argentina (G2) > Colombia and Mexico (G3) > Central and South America (G4). Together, more than 1.2 million tons of active ingredients is applied annually, carrying harmful effects and risks. In the joint analysis of both datasets (applied pesticides and harvested area), different correlations were observed between the amount of pesticides applied and the harvested area; for example, in G1 and G2, positive and significant correlations were detected between the applied amounts of total pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and bactericides and the total area harvested by the main crop, but in G3, there was a negative correlation with the five main crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of using kitchen electrolyzed water devices (EWDs) for removing residual concentrations of pesticides (malathion, fenitrothion, and p,p′-DDT) from lemon, cucumber, and carrot surfaces was tested. Three commercial devices with different parameters were tested, and their effectiveness was compared with traditional washing methods using water. Based on the results, it was found that by using EWDs, the best removal of water-soluble pesticides was achieved with malathion and fenitrothion (reduction of up to 80%). The worst effectiveness was observed for lipophilic DDT, where a reduction of 20 to 40% was noted. Traditional methods proved to be more effective for removing DDT. Our studies have shown that EWDs can effectively remove pesticide residues; however, further studies should be conducted on a wider spectrum of pesticides and the process should be optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymes secreted by white rot fungi (WRF), such as laccase, offer a promising approach for the treatment of hazardous xenobiotic compounds. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the pesticides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and chlorpyrifos on the laccase of Phlebia brevispora BAFC 633 through in vitro and bioinformatics analyses. The fungal strain was shown to be tolerant to both pesticides, with notable morphological and ultrastructural alterations in the mycelium. Laccase activity and two isoenzymes (53 and 70 kDa) were detected in all initial treatments. The laccase was concentrated for subsequent catalytic evaluation in the presence of both pesticides, showing high stability at a pH of 3.6 and a temperature range of 50–60 °C. The lacI gene, corresponding to this laccase, was modeled, and its structure revealed a defined catalytic pocket validated with a drug score of 0.61. Molecular docking estimated affinity energies of −5.06 and −9.41 Kcal mol−1 for 2,4-D and chlorpyrifos, respectively. Molecular Mechanics Poisson–Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) analysis through 250 ns of molecular dynamics revealed stronger hydrophobic interactions of laccase with chlorpyrifos and highlighted the importance of residue His460 in stabilizing both complexes. Understanding the impact of these agrochemicals on the catalytic function of laccase is crucial for developing future biotechnological strategies involving this enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contamination of agricultural soils by microplastics (MPs) has significant implications for herbicide efficacy and soil health. This study investigates the effects of MPs on critical processes such as the sorption, desorption, and degradation of herbicides, highlighting their influence on these compounds' mobility, persistence, and bioavailability. MPs interact with herbicides through sorption mechanisms, often reducing the availability of these compounds for weed control by retaining them on their surfaces. This sorption not only limits the immediate efficacy of herbicides but also alters their desorption process, resulting in a prolonged release into the soil environment. Additionally, MPs can inhibit microbial activity involved in herbicide degradation, increasing the time degradation of the half-life of these substances and extending their persistence in the environment. These processes collectively enhance the risks of bioaccumulation and environmental contamination. Understanding these interactions is essential for developing strategies to mitigate the impacts of MPs on herbicide performance and promote sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food quality and safety are critical public health concerns, with approximately 600 million people worldwide being affected by foodborne diseases each year due to contamination. These diseases not only lead to a notable number of deaths but also impose substantial economic burdens, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Given the severe health risks posed by food contaminants, developing advanced, sensitive analytical methods to detect such contaminants is essential. Contemporary food safety challenges include detecting contaminants at trace levels and managing cumulative risks from simultaneous exposure to multiple chemicals. Liquid chromatography, particularly in combination with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC/MS), has proven indispensable for detecting key contaminants such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, veterinary residues, packaging-derived contaminants, mycotoxins, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids in various food matrices. The present article reviews recent studies on the subject published between 2020 and 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lobo reservoir, designed to supply water to the Daloa city population (central west of Côte d'Ivoire), is facing the phenomenon of eutrophication due to the agricultural plots located upstream of the reservoir inputs. Studies have highlighted the reservoir pollution and sedimentation problems. This study was initiated to test the effectiveness of a transfer model in the fight against the eutrophication problem. The objective of this study was to determine the optimal width of a vegetative filter strip on the banks of the Lobo reservoir, where the water intake installations of the drunk water company SODECI are located, using the VFSMOD model. The methodological approach is structured into four (4) main stages: 1—Evaluation of runoff from the source of pollution (contributing surface) during a rainy episode; 2—Calculation of the incoming runoff volume and the sediment load; 3—Simulation of runoff reduction and incoming sediments within the grassy filter strip; and 4—Determination of the optimal width of the grassy strip. The results obtained showed a contributing source area of 13.5 ha and 2% as the average slope. A runoff volume of 4680 m3 coming from the source of pollution is reduced by 1119 m3 (24%) through a grassy strip that is 3 m wide. The sediment load goes from 132 kg to 33 kg, a reduction of 75% in the quantity of sediment entering. The scenarios tested showed that a grassy strip width equal to 3 m should allow for a reduction of 75% of upstream sediments. This grassy strip width of 3 m should be considered for implementing a vegetative filter strip around the Lobo reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticide application has significantly aided global agriculture, but the overuse of pesticides also poses a threat to sustainable agriculture development in the future. The application of outsourcing services in the pesticide application process is a good way to promote pesticide reduction, but the actual effect is not satisfactory. The possible reason is ignorance of the regulatory role of supervision and land management scale. Based on the data of 1490 corn growers, this research investigates how outsourcing service application affects pesticide application intensity through the principal–agent theory through the instrumental variable method and examines the moderator effect of supervision and land management scale. The study found that: (1) Farmers who applied outsourcing services during pesticide application process constituted 15% of the farmers in the sample, and the average pesticide cost per 0.000667 km2 was USD 7.59; (2) The use of outsourcing services in the pesticide application process can lower the pesticide application intensity; (3) The application of outsourcing services in the pesticide application process has received the regulatory role of supervision and land management scale in reducing the intensity of pesticide application. Specifically, supervision can play a positive regulatory role, and land management scale plays a negative regulatory role. The research is helpful to deepen the understanding of the correlation between outsourcing service adoption and pesticide application reduction and provide decision-making reference for the formulation and improvement of pesticide reduction-related policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-animal assessment of skin sensitization is a global trend. Recently, scientific efforts have been focused on the integration of multiple evidence for decision making with the publication of OECD Guideline No. 497 for defined approaches to skin sensitization. The integrated testing strategy (ITS) methods reported by the guideline integrates in chemico, in vitro, and in silico testing to assess both hazard and potency of skin sensitization. The incorporation of in silico methods achieved comparable performance with fewer experiments compared to the traditional two-out-of-three (2o3) method. However, the direct application of current ITSs to agrochemicals can be problematic due to the lack of agrochemicals in the training data of the incorporated in silico methods. To address the issue, we present ITS-SkinSensPred 2.0 for agrochemicals and agrochemical formulations using a reconfigured in silico model SkinSensPred for pesticides. Compared to ITSv2, the proposed ITS-SkinSensPred 2.0 achieved an 11% and 16% improvement in the accuracy and correct classification rate for hazard identification and potency classification, respectively. In addition, an online ITS tool was implemented and available on the SkinSensDB website. The tool is expected to be useful for evaluating skin sensitization of substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leveraging the transformative potential of digital technologies to support the farmers' green production transformation (FGPT) is a critical catalyst for facilitating the accelerated green transformation and upgrading of agricultural systems, thereby achieving high-quality agricultural development. Using survey data from major watermelon- and muskmelon-producing regions in Henan, Shandong, and Xinjiang, and employing Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and the Logit model, this study examines the mechanisms through which digital technology influences FGPT. The findings reveal that the adoption of digital technology significantly reduces farmers' use of pesticides and fertilizers, with a particularly pronounced effect on pesticide reduction. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the impact of digital technology on reducing pesticide and fertilizer usage varies across regions: while its adoption leads to significant reductions in Henan and Shandong, the positive effects in Xinjiang remain statistically insignificant. Mechanism analysis shows that digital technology enhances FGPT by reducing information asymmetry, improving market access, and enhancing precision management practices. Based on these findings, this study recommends expanding awareness campaigns to accelerate the adoption of digital technology, enhancing digital infrastructure to bridge the urban–rural digital divide, and optimizing digital technology promotion systems. These actions can be taken alongside the implementation of economic incentives and compensation mechanisms. The insights and policy recommendations from this research provide valuable guidance for China and other countries seeking to leverage digital technology for sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pencycuron is a fungicide whose maximum residue limit (MRL) in eggplant is either set at very low levels (0.02 mg/kg in European Union) or remains unestablished in many countries, necessitating stringent pesticide management. To enable timely interventions by farmers and regulators, pre-harvest residue limits (PHRLs) propose maximum allowable pesticide concentrations for each day during the pre-harvest period. An analytical method was developed to conduct residue determination trials, demonstrating that graphitized carbon black (GCB) effectively removes eggplant matrices during sample preparation. The LC-MS/MS method was established with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.005 mg/kg, recovery rates ranging from 102.6% to 106.1% with relative standard deviation (RSD; 2.3–6.4%), and a matrix effect (%ME) of +8.1%. Residue analysis revealed a concentration of 0.045 mg/kg at 0 days after treatment (DAT), decreasing to 0.006 mg/kg at 14 DAT. The residue dynamics followed a first-order kinetic model, as confirmed by the F-test, with a rate constant of 0.1405. Therefore, the half-life was determined to be 4.9 d. Based on the MRL value of 0.02 mg/kg at 0 days before harvest (DBH), the PHRL was determined using both k and kmin, resulting in values of 0.04 mg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg at 5 days and 0.08 mg/kg and 0.03 mg/kg at 10 DBH, respectively. Using kmin yields more conservative results, which ensures food safety under conditions of slower degradation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an air-assisted sprayer for vineyard pesticide application. The spraying unit was designed with two symmetrically arranged ports. The airflow velocity distribution of the sprayer was investigated using a combination of experimental validation and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The results of both the simulation and the experiment showed good agreement in airflow velocity, and the distribution was uniform. Both unilateral and bilateral spraying field experiments were conducted in this study. The unilateral spraying experiment showed that higher spray pressure and lower sprayer speed increased both total deposition coverage and spray penetration (SP), while shorter spray distances improved SP but decreased total deposition coverage. The optimal operational conditions for the sprayer were determined as follows: spray pressure of 0.40 MPa, sprayer speed of 0.83 m/s, and spray distance of 1.00 m. The results of the bilateral spraying field experiment indicated that the coefficient of variation (CV) for deposition coverage in Columns A, B, and C were 16.20%, 8.10%, and 15.47%, respectively. The CVs in Layers a, b, and c were 6.14%, 12.62%, and 6.74%, respectively. This result demonstrated that the deposition coverage distribution in the canopy was relatively uniform, and the air-assisted sprayer exhibited good spray penetration performance. This study demonstrates the effectiveness and potential of the air-assisted sprayer for vineyard pesticide application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Low-cost method for the assessment of the presence of cytotoxic and genotoxic contaminants in water. This study employed the Allium cepa bioassay to evaluate the toxic effects of contaminants in the Yucatan aquifer. Seven monitoring wells were studied during September and October 2021. Nutrient concentrations showed significant variation between sites, with samples closer to the coast (P3 and P7) presenting higher ammonia and phosphate concentrations. The pesticides found at the highest concentration were δ-HCH and chlorpyrifos, with 141.44 and 175.92 ng/L, respectively. Heptachlor and aldrin were present in sites P4oct and P2sept. Interestingly, DDT values were highly correlated with caffeine concentrations. The PAHs acenaphthylene and the sum of B(k)fluoranthene and B(b)fluoranthene presented the highest prevalence. B(k)fluoranthene and B(b)fluoranthene were the PAHs found at the highest concentration. The results of the A. cepa bioassay indicated no nuclear abnormalities. The study also found no statistical differences in the mitotic index, root length, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and inhibition of B-esterases between sites and controls. In summary, the wells sampled in the present study had low concentrations of contaminants that can be used as a proxy of anthropogenic discharges; the lack of effect in the biomarkers used at organism, cellular, and biochemical levels indicated no toxic effect on A. cepa roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensive use of pesticides contaminates soil and water, raising the risk of diseases like cancer and hormonal/neurological disorders. The continuous exposure to pesticides through water and food is concerning. Therefore, raising awareness about biological pest control is essential to reduce the harmful impact of pesticides on food and the environment. This study evaluates students' literacy on pesticide use and its implications, focusing on three topics, pesticide use, disease prevention, and sustainability and health promotion. Thus, a questionnaire was drawn up and distributed to students of both genders, aged between 12 and 16 years old, from Alentejo (Portugal). The students were asked to indicate their agreement grade with statements related to key themes, such as pesticide use and consumer attitudes, healthy practices and disease prevention, and sustainability and health promotion. The cohort includes 1051 students, and the results suggest that environmental education and student awareness are crucial for promoting sustainable water resources and minimizing exposure to environmental and food pesticides. This study presents an Artificial Neural Network model, with its accuracy surpassing 90%, to assess students' literacy on pesticide use and its implications. It also proposes a new approach to evaluate their potential for improvement, which is essential for developing educational strategies on health and the environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlike many other fungicides, strobilurins are applied several times during the growing season for prophylactic purposes, thus heightening the risk of environmental contamination. In the EU, the dimoxystrobin approval period lasted for 17 years. It has been classified as moderately toxic to birds and highly toxic to earthworms, and it is suspected to be carcinogenic to humans. However, it is still commercialized in several countries. The effects of dimoxystrobin are still largely underexplored, with only three studies reporting sublethal alterations in fish. Here, we evaluated for the first time the effects of dimoxystrobin on zebrafish liver after short-term exposure (96 h) to two sublethal and environmentally relevant concentrations (6.56 and 13.13 μg/L), providing evidence of morphological, functional, and ultrastructural modifications. We revealed severe alterations encompassing three reaction patterns: circulatory disturbance, regressive and progressive changes, which also showed a dose-dependent trend. Furthermore, we revealed that dimoxystrobin induced a significant increase in lipid content, a decrease in glycogen granules and affected the defensive response against oxidative stress through a significant downregulation of SOD and CAT. The information presented here demonstrates that the hazardous properties of dimoxystrobin may result from several pathological events involving multiple targets. Our results also emphasize the importance of the combined use of morphological, ultrastructural and functional investigation in ecotoxicological studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncontrolled use of pesticides in agriculture leads to negative consequences for the environment, as well as for human and animal health. Therefore, timely detection of pesticides will allow application of measures to eliminate the excess of maximum residue limits and reduce possible negative consequences in advance. Common methods of pesticide analysis suffer from high costs, and are time consuming, and labor intensive. Currently, more attention is being paid to the development of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors as a non-destructive and highly sensitive tool for detecting various chemicals in agricultural applications. This review focuses on the current developments of biocompatible SERS substrates based on natural materials with unique micro/nanostructures, flexible SERS substrates based on biopolymers, as well as functionalized SERS substrates, which are close to the current needs and requirements of agricultural product quality control and environmental safety assessment. The impact of herbicides on the process of photosynthesis is considered and the prospects for the application of Raman spectroscopy and SERS for the detection of herbicides are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By 2030, the global deficit in freshwater resources is projected to reach 40%, in direct correlation with global population growth. To cope with this increase in demand, the Sustainable Development Goals outlined by the United Nations, specifically goal No. 6 of the 2030 agenda, have identified wastewater as a new resource. Indeed, the reuse of wastewater offers three primary advantages: (i) Reused wastewater can serve as an alternative to water from natural reserves, particularly in sensitive geographical areas experiencing water stress. (ii) Wastewater reuse limits the discharge of treated water into the natural environment, which is often a source of pollution, thus helping preserve ecosystems. (iii) Wastewater reuse also facilitates the extraction of valuable compounds, such as fertilisers and precious metals, along with energy generation. This review focuses on various uses of water and the global reuse of treated wastewater from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The focus then shifts to pesticides, exploring the origins of these emerging contaminants and their impacts on aquatic environments. An in-depth analysis of diuron follows, examining its origin, toxicity and regulation and the performance of existing advanced treatments to produce safe water from WWTP effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xenoestrogens (XEs) are a group of exogenous substances that may interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system. They may mimic the function of estrogens, and their sources are plants, water or dust, plastic, chemical agents, and some drugs. Thus, people are highly exposed to their actions. Together with the development of industry, the number of XEs in our environment increases. They interact directly with estrogen receptors, disrupting the transmission of cellular signals. It is proven that XEs exhibit clinical application in e.g., menopause hormone therapy, but some studies observed that intense exposure to XEs leads to the progression of various cancers. Moreover, these substances exhibit the ability to cross the placental barrier, therefore, prenatal exposure may disturb fetus development. Due to the wide range of effects resulting from the biological activity of these substances, there is a need for this knowledge to be systematized. This review aims to comprehensively assess the environmental sources of XEs and their role in increasing cancer risk, focusing on current evidence of their biological and pathological impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The man-made load on the environment and the decrease in biodiversity cause a direct negative environmental impact on the existence of honey bees and beekeeping products. The priority directions of the food industry are the use of high-quality environmentally friendly raw materials and the prevention of the ingress and formation of harmful substances in food products, including honey. This implies the need to develop methods for assessing the environmental safety of the studied raw materials and products. The purpose of this study was to implement a mathematical modeling method for studying the environmental safety of honey. Five types of honey were studied: Robinia, rapeseed, linden, buckwheat, and sunflower. Mathematical models were built according to the following parameters: total activity of β-emitting radionuclides; residues of levomycetin (chloramphenicol), nitrofuran (according to AOZ and AMOZ), metronidazole, and pesticides (according to hexachloran); and the content of water-insoluble substances (mechanical impurities) and heavy metals. On the basis of the obtained data and established quality criteria, calculation graphic models were built. Using algebraic methods, they derived new formulas for calculating quality coefficients. Multivariate analysis and programming methods were used to evaluate honey using mathematical modeling. The most and least ecologically dangerous contaminants and their share of influence for different types of honey were determined based on the complex of research on negative factors. The proposed mathematical models can be implemented for practical use in specialized laboratories as a tool for determining the environmental safety of honey of various botanical origins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals affected by neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are dramatically increasing worldwide. Thus, several efforts are being made to develop strategies for stopping or slowing the spread of these illnesses. Although causative genetic variants linked to the onset of these diseases are known, they can explain only a small portion of cases. The etiopathology underlying the neurodegenerative process in most of the patients is likely due to the interplay between predisposing genetic variants and environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, are central candidates in translating the effects of environmental factors in genome modulation, and they play a critical role in the etiology of AD, PD, and ALS. Among the main environmental exposures that have been linked to an increased risk for these diseases, accumulating evidence points to the role of heavy metals, pesticides, and air pollutants. These compounds could trigger neurodegeneration through different mechanisms, mainly neuroinflammation and the induction of oxidative stress. However, increasing evidence suggests that they are also capable of inducing epigenetic alterations in neurons. In this article, we review the available literature linking exposure to metals, pesticides, and air pollutants to DNA methylation changes relevant to neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is a significant global producer and consumer of pesticides and antibiotics, with their excessive use leading to substantial water pollution that poses challenges for subsequent treatment. Photocatalytic degradation, leveraging renewable solar energy, presents an effective approach for decomposing organic pollutants and reducing residual contaminant levels in water bodies. This approach represents one effective way for addressing environmental challenges. This paper classifies representative photocatalytic materials by structural design and degradation principles including MOFs (Metal–Organic Frameworks), metal- and nonmetal-doped, mesoporous material-loaded, carbon quantum dot-modified, floatation-based, and heterojunction photocatalysts. We also discuss research on degradation pathways and reaction mechanisms for antibiotics. Of particular importance are several key factors influencing degradation efficiency, which are summarized within this work. These include the separation and charge transfer rate of catalyst surface carriers, and the wide-spectrum response capabilities of photocatalysts, as well as persulfate activation efficiency. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on the significant role played by intrinsic driving forces such as built-in electric fields within catalytic systems. Moreover, this paper introduces several promising composite-structure photocatalytic technologies from both composite-structure perspectives (e.g., Aerogel-based composites) and composite-method perspectives (e.g., the molecularly imprinted synthesis method). We also discuss their latest development status, along with future prospects, presenting valuable insights for pollutant degradation targets. This work aims to facilitate the design of efficient photocatalytic materials, while providing valuable theoretical references for environmental governance technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study focuses on the management of the red imported fire ant (RIFA), an invasive pest in China that threatens local biodiversity. We implemented a two-step control method using three insecticides, 0.5% beta-cypermethrin dust, 1.0% hydramethylnon bait, and 0.1% indoxacarb bait, and monitored their effects on ant communities. The results showed significant reductions in RIFA populations, with the most effective insecticide being 0.1% indoxacarb bait. After treatment, there was an increase in ant species richness and diversity, indicating a positive impact on local ecosystems. The findings highlight that effective RIFA management can also restore ecological balance among native ant species, providing valuable insights for future biodiversity conservation strategies. The red imported fire ant (RIFA, Solenopsis invicta Buren) represents a significant invasive pest in China, exerting extensive negative impacts on ecosystems. The invasion of RIFA not only poses a severe threat to biodiversity within the environment; inappropriate controlling measures can also adversely affect community dynamics. Therefore, while implementing effective management strategies to control the proliferation of RIFA populations, it is imperative to evaluate the potential effects of these measures on the structure of local biological communities to safeguard native biodiversity. This study employs a "two-step method" using dust and bait formulations, respectively, to control RIFA while conducting ecological monitoring to further assess the impact of RIFA population decline on ant communities. The results of RIFA management showed that after post-treatment periods of 28 days, 35 days, and 60 days, the worker ant reduction rates for the three insecticides—0.5% beta-cypermethrin dust, 1.0% hydramethylnon bait, and 0.1% indoxacarb bait—reached approximately 72%, with their efficacy ranked as follows: 1.0% hydramethylnon bait > 0.1% indoxacarb bait > 0.5% beta-cypermethrin dust. By the 60th day of the experiment, the ant nest reduction rates reached their highest values—66.84% for 0.5% beta-cypermethrin dust, 77.89% for 1.0% hydramethylnon bait, and 87.52% for 0.1% indoxacarb bait—with the latter performing the best. Meanwhile, the occurrence level of RIFAs in all three pesticide treatment areas decreased from level III to level I 60 days post-treatment. Following the application of these three insecticides, the RIFA population significantly decreased, leading to an increase in species richness within the ant community. The reduction in RIFA numbers had a positive impact on the restoration of ant community diversity, as evidenced by significant improvements in both diversity and evenness indices. Notably, 0.1% indoxacarb bait was particularly effective in enhancing the ant community diversity and species richness, while 1.0% hydramethylnon bait was more effective in improving community evenness. These findings indicate that the controlling strategy used in this study not only effectively manages RIFA populations but also promotes recovery and contributes to the ecological balance of local ant communities, providing an important reference for future biodiversity conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spraying is currently one of the main methods of pesticide application worldwide. It converts the pesticide solution into fine droplets through a sprayer, which then deposit onto target plants. Therefore, in the process of pesticide application, improving the effectiveness of spraying while minimizing or preventing crop damage has become a key issue. Combining the advantages of electrostatic spraying technology with the characteristics of ground boom sprayers, a contact-type electrostatic boom spraying system based on a rod–plate electrode structure was designed and tested on a self-propelled boom sprayer. The charging chamber was designed based on the characteristics of the rod–plate electrode and theoretical analysis. The reliability of the device was verified through COMSOL numerical simulations, charge-to-mass ratio, droplet size, and droplet size spectrum measurements, and a droplet size prediction model was established. The deposition characteristics in soybean fields were analyzed using the Box–Behnken experimental design method. The results showed that the rod–plate electrode structure demonstrated its superiority with a maximum spatial electric field of 2.31 × 106 V/m. When the spray pressure was 0.3 MPa and the charging voltage was 8 kV, the droplet size decreased by 26.6%, and the charge-to-mass ratio reached 2.88 mC/kg. Field experiments showed that when the charging voltage was 8 kV, the spray pressure was 0.3 MPa, the traveling speed was 7 km/h, and the number of deposited droplets was 8517. This study provides some basis for the application of electrostatic spraying technology in large-scale field operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty commercial honey bee colonies were monitored over the course of one year with the goal of assessing potential correlations between measured colony strength and environmental stressors, including exposures to pesticides and pathogens. We developed a new method for assessing colony health by determining the fractional change in population of the four colonies on each pallet between peak population on 1 June and the last population assessment prior to winter on 1 October. This fractional change in population was evaluated as a function of pesticide load per pallet for each of the 37 pesticide chemicals detected, grouping pallets by beekeeper. The analysis of individual chemicals showed that both imidacloprid and cyprodinil were negatively correlated with colony health, while tau-fluvalinate and dinotefuran (at very low concentrations) were positively correlated, possibly because of effects on Varroa control. Exposure to groups of chemicals was also evaluated. Normalization of each chemical concentration to the maximum observed for that chemical provided an equal weighting for each chemical, even though their relative occurrence in the environment and their effective toxicities might differ. A total of 24 chemical groups whose members share a structural commonality, a functional commonality, or suspected synergistic actions were considered, demonstrating negative correlations between colony health and exposures to neonicotinoids as a group and neonicotinoids in combination with (1) methoxyfenozide (2) organophosphates, and (3) diflubenzuron. Analysis of several groups of fungicides applied to almonds during pollination also showed negative correlations with colony health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypocrellins (HYPs), naturally occurring 3,10-xylene-4,9-anthracene derivatives sourced from Shiraia bambusicola and Hypocrella bambusae, exhibit significant photobiological activities. Despite their capability for generating a high yield of reactive oxygen species, including singlet oxygen and superoxide anion radical, their application in photodynamic therapy (PDT) is constrained. This limitation is due to their low dark phototoxicity, weak absorption within the therapeutic window of PDT (600–900 nm), and inherent hydrophobicity, which hinder their immediate use in amphipathic PDT applications. This review comprehensively discusses the research advancements in the bioactivities and biosynthesis of HYPs, alongside the reported chemical and physical modifications that enhance their water solubility and extend their therapeutic window. Additionally, it explores potential strategies for developing pharmaceuticals, photocatalytic agents, and photosensitive pesticides based on HYPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]