Organophosphate pesticides an emerging environmental contaminant: Pollution, toxicity, bioremediation progress, and remaining challenges

A highly selective ratiometric fluorescent probe for butyrylcholinesterase: Applications in quantification, residue screening, and toxicological studies of organophosphorus pesticides

This study presents a ratiometric fluorescent probe, DEDD, designed for selective detection of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and accurate quantification of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs). DEDD combines a 4-hydroxy-1,8-naphthalimide fluorophore with a cyclopropanecarboxylate recognition group, enabling an intramolecular charge transfer-based dual-wavelength response. This design mitigates issues associated with conventional single-wavelength probes, such as photobleaching and environmental interference. The probe achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.59 mU/mL for BChE, with a linear range extending up to 0.16 U/mL, and demonstrated remarkable selectivity over acetylcholinesterase and other biomolecules. By leveraging the inhibitory effects of OPPs on BChE, DEDD quantified paraoxon with an LOD of 2.49 ng/mL and exhibited high accuracy in foods, achieving spiked recoveries of 92.04-103.02 %. In addition, a dual-mode test strip was developed, integrating colorimetric and fluorescence detection to eliminate food matrix interference. Furthermore, DEDD showed low cytotoxicity and cell membrane permeability, enabling imaging of OPP-induced BChE inhibition in cells.

Understanding phytotoxicity of fosthiazate on crop seedlings through uptake kinetics, ROS burst and chloroplast metabolism

As a crucial management strategy for crop diseases, pests and weeds, the use of pesticides can also have some adverse effects on plant health. Understanding the specific mechanisms is essential for developing effective mitigation measure. However, most studies on phytotoxicity mechanism have focused on ionic balance and biochemical responses, with little consideration given to pesticide distributions within plants. Herein, symptoms and the underlying mechanisms of fosthiazate phytotoxicity to crops represented by tomatoes were investigated. Necrotic leaf edge and the root inhibition of tomato seedlings was observed after fosthiazate soil applied at the maximum registered dose. Given its high hydrophilicity, fosthiazate dissolved in soil solution was readily absorbed by plant roots and efficiently translocated upward via the transpiration stream, leading to varying concentrations across different organs and thus differential phytotoxicity. As fosthiazate accumulates, it induced plasmolysis, triggered reactive oxygen species (ROS) bursts, and disrupted photosynthesis, resulting in leaf wilting and necrotic. The interference of sucrose synthesis, transport and metabolism further inhibited root growth. Fosthiazate-loaded microcapsules could alleviate its phytotoxicity by slowing down the release rate. Our findings provided an important basis for the improvement of pesticide application safety and guiding the development of chemicals targets at specific organisms.

Stable isotope probing and oligotyping reveal the impact of organophosphorus pesticides on the carbon fixation related bacterioplankton lineage

Freshwater bacterioplankton communities play a pivotal role in global carbon fixation and energy exchange. However, establishing direct linkages between environmental stressors like organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and the ecological functions, such as carbon-fixing related microorganisms (CFMs), remains challenging. This study investigated the effects of four OPPs - two phosphates (dichlorvos, monocrotophos) and two phosphorothioates (omethoate, parathion) - on bacterioplankton communities using stable isotope probing, high-throughput sequencing and oligotyping analysis. Seven CFMs were identified. All OPPs significantly reduced total biomass (from 7.87 ×104 to 2.30-4.11 ×104 cells/mL) but stimulated CFMs proliferation. Notably, phosphorothioates induced a greater increase in CFMs abundance (36.84 %-57.18 %, up from 21.1 %) compared to phosphates (23.85 %-37.10 %; p < 0.05). Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed that phosphorothioates exerted stronger effects on microbial community and CFMs oligotypes structure compared to phosphates (p < 0.05). Variance partitioning analysis (VPA) identified pesticide type as the dominant driver of community structure. PICRUSt2 prediction demonstrated that OPPs suppressed oxidoreductase pathways linked to energy metabolism while activating transferase pathways associated with microbial stress resistance. Phosphorothioates depleted 64 pathways and enhanced 208 pathways, far exceeding phosphate impacts (2 depleted, 22 enhanced), indicating the phosphorothioates played a more important role on bacterioplankton communities than phosphate. Additionally, OPPs exposure reduced functional redundancy and destabilized community stability in bacterioplankton, potentially granting CFMs a long-term competitive advantage and elevating algal bloom risks. These findings provide insights into active CFMs in aquatic systems and their responses to diverse OPPs, offering new perspectives for managing organophosphorus pesticide contamination.

Biochar alleviates nanoplastics and bisphenol A mediated immunological, neurological and gut microbial toxicity in channel catfish Ictaluruspunctatus

Nanoplastics (NPs) and bisphenol A (BPA), exhibit abundant industrial applications, are produced in large volumes and ubiquitously released into the environment, posing a serious threat to ecological and human health. Biochar has been extensively studied for its ability to mitigate the negative effects of contaminants on plants. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether biochar co-exposure with polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs, size 80 nm) and BPA mitigate their toxic impacts on Ictalurus punctatus and maintain its normal growth. The I. punctatus was exposed individually to PS-NPs (0.5 mg/L) and BPA (0.2 mg/L) as well as co-exposed to PS-NPs + biochar and BPA + biochar for 7 days. Results showed PS-NPs and BPA single exposure caused tissue damage in terms of hepatocyte swelling and gut villi diffusion, and induced oxidative stress. PS-NPs and BPA single exposures led to significant changes in enzymatic activities and genetic expressions of biomarkers related to the immune system, producing inflammatory response. It also led to dysregulation of neurotransmitter enzymes (ACH, ChAT, AChE) and overexpression of neuron genes, resulting in neurotoxicity. Moreover, there was an increase in the diversity and alteration in composition of the gut microbiota (Plesiomonas, Pseudomonas), resulting in dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. However, biochar presence (0.5 g/L) reduced the accumulation of PS-NPs and BPA in fish and contributed to various degrees of mitigation for the toxic impacts of PS-NPs and BPA. Overall, biochar helped to mitigate the negative effects of PS-NPs and BPA on oxidative stress, histopathology, immune system, neurological responses and gut microbiota. This study emphasized the potential of biochar to mitigate the negative impacts of NPs and BPA on aquatic organisms.

Rapid detection of organophosphorus pesticide monocrotophos by pore size-regulated amplified fluorescence "turn-on" response of Zr-MOF

BACKGROUND

Organophosphorus pesticides pose a severe threat to human health even at trace levels in the environment, owing to their high persistence and neurotoxic effects. Rapid detection methods based on luminescent metal organic frameworks (LMOFs) have great advantages in environmental applications, attributing to their unique luminescence characteristics, structural flexibility, high porosity, and tunable synthesis. Therefore, an effective strategy for adjusting pore size in LMOFs is essential to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of fluorescence recognition.

RESULTS

In this study, a fluorescence probe NH2-UiO-66@cur was synthesized, where curcumin was utilized to modulate the pore size of NH2-UiO-66, resulting in a fluorescence "turn-on" response for the rapid detection of monocrotophos (MCP). The incorporation of curcumin increased the average pore size of NH2-UiO-66 from 2.01 to 3.61 nm, thereby facilitating the mass transfer of MCP in NH2-UiO-66@cur. Additionally, the coordinating of MCP with the zirconium node effectively block the ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) process, significantly improving sensitivity with an ultra-low detection limit of 0.41 μg L-1 for MCP. The NH2-UiO-66@cur sensor exhibited excellent selectivity for MCP compared to other organosphosphorus compounds, as well as robust interference resistance. In practical applications, the fluorescence probe showed stable and accurate detection potential, with spiking recoveries ranging from 84.2 % to 105 % in environmental water samples.

SIGNIFICANCE

This work provides a novel strategy for tailoring the pore size for a MOF sensor platform, which notably enhances the mass transfer and fluorescence emission intensity by blocking LMCT effect. As a result, it improves the detection sensitivity and selectivity on trace organophosphate pollutants in the environment samples, addressing critical concerns in environmental monitoring.

Biocontrol potential of Vibrio maritimus chitinase: Heterologous expression and insecticidal activity against Acanthoscelides obtectus

In this study, the chitinase gene from the marine bacterium Vibrio maritimus was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli, purified via affinity chromatography and tested for its insecticidal activity against the storage pest Acanthoscelides obtectus. The recombinant VmChiA protein exhibited a molecular mass of ~60 kDa, with optimum activity observed at pH 6.0 and 40 °C. Enzyme kinetic analysis revealed a Km value of 0.042 mM, Vmax of 17.48 μmol min-1, kcat of 1.75 min-1 and catalytic efficiency of 41.61 mM-1 min-1, respectively. Furthermore, a dose of 40 U mL-1 of recombinant VmChiA showed similar efficacy to malathion insecticide against A. obtectus, with 100 % mortality in both treatments. LC50 and LC90 values of VmChiA were 13.95 U mL-1 and 27.66 U mL-1, respectively. Furthermore, the three-dimensional structure of the catalytic site of VmChiA was modeled. Molecular dynamics simulation technique was used to explore and analyze the dynamics and interactions. A salt bridge (GLU274-ARG296) in the α + β domain was observed as a critical feature facilitating substrate (GlcNAc)2 binding and enzymatic activity. These findings demonstrate that recombinant VmChiA possesses potent insecticidal properties, highlighting its potential as a bio-based, eco-friendly alternative for managing significant agricultural pests.

Bimetallic Ag2CrO4 nanoparticles with dual-enzyme-mimic activities in colorimetric sensor for sensitive and highly selective detection of dimethoate in vegetables

Colorimetric methods have the benefits of rapid detection and easy operation in dimethoate (DMT) analysis. However, the existing colorimetric sensor for DMT detection still face challenges in terms of performance stability and result reliability of sensing materials. Bimetallic Ag2CrO4 nanoparticles (NPs) have been found to have both oxidase-mimic and laccase-mimic catalytic activities. DMT has opposite effect on the above dual-enzyme-mimic activities, which can enhance oxidase-mimic activity while inhibiting laccase-mimic activity of Ag2CrO4 NPs. Therefore, a novel colorimetric sensor was constructed using the dual-enzyme-mimic activities as a sensing signal for rapidly detecting DMT in vegetables. The concentration of DMT is directly correlated with the absorbance change of the sensing solution, and the color change is further integrated with the smartphone to enable quantitative measurement of DMT. The limits of detection were as low as 8.7 μg L-1 in the oxidase-mimic channel and 10.9 μg L-1 in laccase-mimic channels. Besides, the colorimetric sensor has shown marked preference in selectivity over other competing pesticides, and obtained relatively preferable recovery rates in some vegetables, indicating that the established sensor has a wide range of potential applications in the area of vegetable pesticide detection.

Organophosphate pesticides and their potential in the change of microbial population and frequency of antibiotic resistance genes in aquatic environments

Heavy metals (HMs) and pesticides disrupt aquatic biodiversity and microbial communities, contributing to antibiotic resistance via cross-resistance and co-selection mechanisms. This study investigates the relationship between organophosphorus pesticides (OPs), HMs, microbial diversity, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in eight lakes and wetlands. Microbial communities were analyzed via metagenomics methods, and data were processed using CLC Genomics Workbench 22. ARGs, including tetA, tetB, qnrA, qnrS, CIT, Fox, KPC, CTX-M1, DHA, GES, OXA, IMP, VEB, NDM1, SHV, TEM, CTX-M, PER, and MOX, were identified through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Element concentrations and pesticide were quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. The results indicate that environmental elements and pesticides significantly influence microbial diversity. Proteobacteria (Gamma, Beta, Alpha) dominate over other bacteria in all locations. β-Lactamase resistance genes have a significant positive correlations with the concentrations of boron, iron, lithium, magnesium, sodium, and phosphorus (P-value<0.05). Positive correlations between phosphorus, iron, and beta-lactamase genes suggest that higher concentrations of these elements may increase resistance likelihood by promoting resistant bacterial growth or facilitating gene transfer. Additionally, tetA and tetB exhibited a significant positive correlation with parathion concentration. The results showed that OPs and HMs increase antibiotic resistance by causing gene mutations, altering gene expression, and promoting horizontal gene transfer, resulting in multidrug-resistant strains. This highlights the need for monitoring these pollutants as they affect microbial diversity and accelerate antibiotic resistance. Targeted measures, such as bioremediation and pollution control, are essential to mitigate risks to the environment and public health.

Development of an Interpretable QSAR Model for Predicting Acute Oral Toxicity of Organophosphates in Rats Based on GA-MLR Algorithm

Organophosphates (OPs) are highly hazardous chemicals with broad-spectrum toxicity. Traditional in vivo methods for determining OP toxicity are time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, we developed a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model to predict acute rat toxicity of OPs using two-dimensional molecular and quantum chemical descriptors, optimized through genetic algorithm-based multiple linear regression (GA-MLR). The optimal model demonstrated robust performance with the following statistical parameters: coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.7451, leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV) coefficient (Q2Loo) of 0.6208, external test set coefficient of determination (R2ext) of 0.7360. These metrics indicate excellent generalization and predictive capabilities of the model. Interpretative analysis of the model revealed that NumHDonors and PEOE_VSA were the most significant descriptors influencing OP toxicity. An increase in hydrogen bond donors within OP molecules reduces toxicity, as these donors enhance hydrophilicity, diminishing membrane permeability. Moreover, the PEOE_VSA descriptor characterizes the partial charge properties of OP molecules, reflecting their electrostatic interactions with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) during binding, which influences toxicity. This study presents an optimized modeling strategy designed for small datasets, enabling stable feature selection and accurate assessment of their contributions to toxicity prediction. This research provides a reliable QSAR approach for OP toxicity prediction while offering new insights into toxicity mechanisms.

Electrochemical reduction for chlorinated hydrocarbons contaminated groundwater remediation: Mechanisms, challenges, and perspectives

Electrochemical reduction technology is a promising method for addressing the persistent contamination of groundwater by chlorinated hydrocarbons. Current research shows that electrochemical reductive dechlorination primarily relies on direct electron transfer (DET) and active hydrogen (H⁎) mediated indirect electron transfer processes, thereby achieving efficient dechlorination and detoxification. This paper explores the influence of the molecular charge structure of chlorinated hydrocarbons, including chlorolefin, chloroalkanes, chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, and chloro-carboxylic acid, on reductive dechlorination from the perspective of molecular electrostatic potential and local electron affinity. It reveals the affinity characteristics of chlorinated hydrocarbon pollutants, the active dechlorination sites, and the roles of substituent groups. It also comprehensively discusses the current progress on electrochemical reductive dechlorination using metal, carbon-based, and 3D electrode catalysts, with an emphasis on the design and optimization of electrode materials and the impact of catalyst microstructure regulation on dechlorination performance. It delves into the current application status of coupling electrochemical reduction technology with biodegradation and electrochemical circulating well technology for the remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons. The paper discusses practical application challenges such as electron transfer, electrode corrosion, water chemistry environment, and aquifer heterogeneity. Finally, considerations are presented from the perspectives of environmental impact and sustainable application, along with a summary and analysis of potential future research directions and technological prospects.

Cyclodextrin-based formulations for delivering broad-spectrum nerve agent antidote to the central nervous system: stability, physicochemical characterization and application in a human blood-brain barrier model

Nerve agents, such as VX and sarin, represent a significant threat to global security due to their devastating neurotoxic effects and potential for misuse. The therapeutic inefficacy of current countermeasures underscores the urgent need for more effective alternatives. In this context, recent advances have identified JDS364.HCl, an uncharged hybrid antidote, as a promising candidate. However, its instability in aqueous solution remains a significant challenge. To address this, cyclodextrin-based formulations were developed using two EMA-approved cyclodextrins: HP-β-CD and SBE-β-CD. These formulations significantly improved JDS364.HCl stability for over two months at room temperature. Interaction studies revealed a 1:1 stoichiometry for both cyclodextrin complexes, with JDS364.HCl: SBE-β-CD exhibiting a 100-fold higher affinity constant, attributed to additional electrostatic interactions with SBE-β-CD sidechains. While SBE-β-CD provided superior plasma stability compared to HP-β-CD, the high binding affinity of JDS364.HCl: SBE-β-CD complexes hindered the molecule's release and reduced its ability to cross the BBB, as observed in a human BBB model. Nonetheless, the results for both cyclodextrins are encouraging, as they enhance JDS364.HCl's stability in plasma while allowing its passage across the BBB. Notably, JDS364.HCl demonstrated superior BBB permeability compared to marketed antidotes such as 2-PAM. These findings highlight the potential of cyclodextrins to improve the efficacy of JDS364.HCl as a nerve agent antidote.

Enhanced electrochemical sensing of methyl parathion using AgNPs@IL/GO nanocomposites in aqueous matrices

Methyl parathion (MP) is a widely used pesticide; it is recognized as being toxic to both target and non-target species, posing serious risks to environmental and human health. Monitoring and controlling MP residues is thus essential, necessitating the development of innovative sensors that are highly sensitive, selective, and reproducible. In the present study, an efficient electrochemical MP sensor is proposed based on silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in conjunction with graphene oxide/ionic liquid (GO/IL) on screen printed electrodes (AgNPs@GO/IL@SPCE). The AgNPs were synthesized via a cost-effective wet-chemical process and characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The modified electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The active surface area and charge transfer were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), respectively. The modified electrodes' electrocatalytic performance towards the reduction of MP was investigated by CV, complemented by semiempirical quantum chemistry calculations to elucidate the interaction and the electrochemical reduction mechanism of MP. The sensor demonstrates a remarkable limit of detection of 0.009 μmol L-1 within a linear range of 0.025 to 200 μmol L-1. It has an excellent analytical performance in terms of selectivity, reproducibility, and long-term stability over 60 days. The designed sensor was effectively used to inspect MP in groundwater and surface water samples, with recovery values ranging from 95.60% to 99.68%.

Prenatal organophosphate pesticide exposure and sex-specific estimated fetal size

Prenatal organophosphate (OP) pesticide exposure may be associated with reduced fetal growth, although studies are limited and have mixed results. We investigated associations between prenatal OP pesticide exposure and fetal size and modification by fetal sex. Maternal urinary concentrations of dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites were measured at 3 time points. Fetal biometrics were obtained from ultrasounds in the second (n = 773) and third (n = 535) trimesters. Associations between pregnancy-averaged ΣDAP and fetal biometry z scores were determined through multiple linear regression. Modification by sex was investigated through stratification and interaction. In the second trimester, one ln-unit increase in ΣDAP was associated with lower estimated fetal weight (-0.15 SD; 95% CI, -0.29 to -0.01), head circumference (-0.11 SD; CI, -0.22 to 0.01), biparietal diameter (-0.14 SD; CI, -0.27 to -0.01), and abdominal circumference (-0.12 SD; CI, -0.26 to 0.01) in females. In the third trimester, one ln-unit increase in ΣDAP was associated with lower head circumference (-0.14 SD; CI, -0.28 to 0.00) and biparietal diameter (-0.12 SD; CI, -0.26 to 0.03) in males. Our results suggest that prenatal OP pesticide exposure is negatively associated with fetal growth in a sex-specific manner, with associations present for females in mid-gestation and males in late gestation. This article is part of a Special Collection on Environmental Epidemiology.

Next Generation Risk Assessment of Acute Neurotoxicity from Organophosphate Exposures Using the In Vitro-In Silico Derived Dietary Comparator Ratio

Organophosphate (OP) pesticides are common environmental contaminants, of which the resulting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition and concomitant neurotoxic effects following exposure remain a global concern. To evaluate the safety upon acute exposure to OP pesticides, the Dietary Comparator Ratio (DCR) approach was used for the first time for this class of chemicals. Six OPs including chlorpyrifos, diazinon, fenitrothion, methyl parathion, profenofos, and chlorfenvinphos were selected as model compounds. Seventy-four reports of human exposures were collected, and a DCR value at each defined exposure level was calculated with in vitro determined AChE inhibition potency and in silico simulated internal exposures. Results indicate that the DCR outcomes are comparable to the actual knowledge on the presence or absence of in vivo AChE inhibition and adverse effects for the respective exposure scenarios. Of all collected scenarios, only four false positives but no false negatives were obtained. No safety concern on acute neurotoxicity appears to be raised for the evaluated environmental exposure scenarios to OPs. To conclude, the described DCR approach provides an adequate evaluation of the OP-induced adverse outcomes for humans, shedding light on its utility for 3Rs-compliant safety assessment of chemicals with different toxicity mechanisms especially for which in vitro bioassays are available.

Highly Stable, Excellent Foliar Adhesion and Anti-Photodegradation Nucleic Acid-Peptide Coacervates for Broad Agrochemicals Delivery

Agrochemicals play a pivotal role in the management of pests and diseases and the way agrochemicals are utilized exerts significant impacts on the environment. Ensuring rational application and improving utilization rates of agrochemicals are major demands in developing green delivery systems. Herein, a model of nucleic acid-peptide coacervate (NPC) for agrochemical delivery is presented, which is formed by mixing negatively charged single-stranded DNAs with positively charged poly-L-lysine. The NPC microsystem exhibits broad loading capacities for various types of agrochemicals. Furthermore, the NPCs demonstrate remarkable protection against photodegradation for photosensitive agrochemicals. In the foliar interactions, the NPCs exhibit excellent wetting performances and foliar adhesion on hydrophobic cabbage leaves and wheat leaves infected with powdery mildew to facilitate direct spaying in practical applications. Subsequently, the NPC microsystem is stabilized against coalescence by a charged comb polymer. Then, the NPC loaded with emamectin benzoates (EBs) exhibited significantly higher insecticidal activity compared to free EBs. This enhanced efficacy can be attributed to the higher insect uptake efficiency of the NPC formulation, as evidenced by fluorescent imaging of mosquito larvae. This coacervate model provides a new biocompatible and highly efficient system for future agrochemical delivery that actively contributes to eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture.

Application of deep eutectic solvents for the simultaneous determination of organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides in aqueous matrices and the assessment of its level of whiteness

This work presents as a novelty the development of a method for the simultaneous determination of organophosphorus and pyrethroid pesticides in aqueous samples using only deep eutectic solvents (DES) followed by a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Combining 4 hydrogen bond acceptors and 6 hydrogen bond donors, 17 DES were prepared. Menthol:thymol in a 1:1 molar ratio presented the best extraction performance and was, therefore, characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), hydrogen-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY-NMR), comparing the spectra from the pure components and from the DES. In the FTIR analysis, the main shifts occurred in the CO bonds. The NMR analyses allowed a better understanding of the interactions occurring during solvent formation, which were attributed to the interaction between the hydroxyls from menthol and thymol. Vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) required no dispersing solvents. The main variables affecting the extraction were optimized using full factorial design, including a triplicate center point. For a fixed 10-mL sample volume, the optimum ranges obtained were: 3.0 ± 0.60 g of NaCl, pH in the range from 5 to 9, a vortex stirring time of 4 ± 2 min and 150 μL of a DES composed of menthol and thymol in a 1:1 molar ratio. Satisfactory figures of merit were then obtained: coefficients of determination greater than 0.99, linear working ranges from 1 μg/L to 400 μg/L, limit of detections of 0.3 μg/L, an inter-day precision from 1.33 % to 9.86 % (n = 12), and an intra-day precision from 4.65 % to 15.52 % (n = 4). The application was carried out in six different aqueous matrices, with methyl parathion being detected in a lake sample. An excellent mean recovery of 98.0 % was obtained for the three levels evaluated and all analytes. The comparison with other methods was based on the principles of White Analytical Chemistry using Algorithm 12, by which the method proposed in this work showed a higher level of whiteness compared to the others.

Insight into the enhanced removal of dimethoate by ferrate(Ⅵ)/biochar system: Contributions of adsorption and active oxidants

Dimethoate is a toxic organophosphorus insecticide and its contamination of water poses a threat to the surrounding ecosystem. In order to enhance the removal effect of ferrate (Fe(VI)) on dimethoate, modified graphene-like biochar (SIZBC) with reduction and adsorption properties was prepared in this study. Compared with Fe(VI) alone, the removal of dimethoate by Fe(VI)/SIZBC increased from 26 % to more than 97 %, and the reaction rate was accelerated by 34 times. The oxidizing property of Fe(VI) was enhanced by the reducing groups loaded on SIZBC, and more active species were produced with the contributions ranked as SO4•¯ > ∙OH > Fe(V). And the contributions of adsorption and active oxidants in the reaction process accounted for 25 % and 75 %, respectively. Enlarging the sulfite solution concentration of modified biochar, the transformation from ∙OH/Fe(V) to SO4•¯ was promoted in the system. As the concentration of Fe(Ⅵ) increased, the contributions of ∙OH and SO4•¯ gradually decreased and Fe(V) became the main active oxidant. Fe(VI)-induced core/shell nanoparticles exhibited in situ adsorption of phosphate which was a mineralization product of dimethoate, thus total phosphorus (TP) removal was increased by 27 %. Through the three degradation pathways, dimethoate and its toxic intermediates were further mineralized to inorganic substances. Finally, the Fe(VI)/SIZBC system was proven to be feasible for actual water treatment and was able to reduce water toxicity.

Real-time detection of organophosphorus pesticides in water using an unmanned boat-borne Raman spectrometer

Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) have been widely used in agricultural production. However, their potential harm to human health and the environment cannot be ignored. On-site detection of OPs in water is valuable for pollution source tracing and early warning of environmental pollution. We design an unmanned boat detection system equipped with a Raman spectrometer, which can achieve automated sampling and real-time detection of OPs in water. The unmanned boat detection system integrates automatic sampling, chemical reaction, spectral detection, and signal transmission modules. This method can specifically detect OPs in water by utilizing the inhibition effect of OPs on acetylcholinesterase activity. The minimum detection concentration is 700 nM for parathion-methyl. This method shows good anti-interference ability for other kinds of pesticides, demonstrating its applicability for rapid detection of OPs under complex water environmental conditions. Our strategy provides an efficient solution for real-time and flexible monitoring of OPs in water environments.

The Novel Nephroprotective Activity of Flaxseed Oil on Diazinon-induced Kidney Damage in Male Rats

In male rats, the flaxseed oil (FS-oil) modulatory properties were investigated on diazinon (DZN)-induced nephrotoxicity. Adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into five groups. To induce nephrotoxicity, animals received DZN (70 mg/kg/day, p.o.). Also, treatment groups received FS-oil (100 and 200 mg/kg/day, p.o.). The animal treatment was 28 consecutive days. On the 29th day, serum and kidney tissue samples were removed and serum levels of the creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT), were measured. Also, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was applied for histological studies. DZN significantly increased the BUN, creatinine, and MDA levels compared to the control group. Besides, DZN significantly decreased the GPx and CAT activity in the kidney tissue. However, the modulatory effects of FS-oil were observed by improving renal enzyme factors, inhibiting oxidative stress, and histological change. This study demonstrated that FS-oil ameliorated DZN-induced nephrotoxicity and can be used as a preventive agent against DZN toxicity because of the FS-oil antioxidant characteristics.

Collaboratively removal of phosphate and glyphosate from wastewater by a macroscopic Zr-SA/Ce-UIO-66 adsorbent: Performance, mechanisms and applicability

Dissolved inorganic and organic phosphorus is a major factor in triggering the eutrophication of water bodies. At present, a novel Zr4+ cross-linked sodium alginate encapsulated in Ce-UIO-66 microspheres (Zr-SA/Ce-UIO-66) was prepared and systematically characterized. Its ability for capture of phosphate and glyphosate in their single and binary systems has been investigated comprehensively. Results showed that Zr-SA/Ce-UIO-66 exhibits excellent phosphate adsorption, achieving 92 % removal and a maximum adsorption capacity of 125 mg P/g at 313 K. Diversified mechanisms, including electrostatic attraction, ligand exchange and hydrogen bonding, have cooperatively participated in phosphate removal. Interestingly, in phosphate and glyphosate mixed solutions, the presence of phosphate significantly enhanced the removal of glyphosate for the formation of complexes between phosphate ions and the adsorbent. And that was similar to the presence of glyphosate in phosphate adsorption. Simulated wastewater experiments demonstrated the adsorbent's practical application in water contaminated with both organic phosphorus and glyphosate composites and its potential for recycling and reuse.

Self-powered photoelectrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer-coupled CBFO photocathode and Ag2S/SnS2 photoanode for ultrasensitive dimethoate sensing

Dimethoate (DIM) is one of the most extensively applied organophosphorus pesticides (OPs), which is used to boost farm productivity due to its high insecticidal efficacy. However, the excessive use of DIM can result in the extensive contamination of soil, groundwater and food. Monitoring of DIM in environmental and food samples is crucial in view of its potential health risks and environmental hazards from excessive residues. The expensive equipment and complex operations for current detection methods greatly limit their practical applications. Herein, a self-powered photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing platform based on Ag2S/SnS2 photoanode, iron-doped cobalt borate (CBFO) photocathode, and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was proposed for the detection of DIM. The molecularly imprinted polymers at CBFO photocathode endow the self-powered PEC sensor with high selectivity. The Ag2S/SnS2 photoanode enhances the efficient of electron transfer between the photoanode and photocathode, contributing to the high sensitivity of PEC sensor. The self-powered molecularly imprinted PEC sensor exhibits outstanding sensitivity and selectivity for DIM at concentrations from 1 × 10-2 to 1 × 105 nM with a detection limit of 5.9 pM. Excellent recoveries (95.4 ± 2.6 %, 98.4 ± 2.3 %, 106.3 ± 3.3 %) were achieved in spiked crown pear samples, indicating that the molecularly imprinted PEC sensor is capable of detecting DIM in real samples. This research provides a novel simple, fast, highly selective and sensitive self-powered molecularly imprinted photoelectrochemical sensing platform for detection of DIM. The fabricated PEC sensor offers a promising candidate for the detection method of organophosphorus pesticides residues, which is of great significance for the fields of food safety and environmental protection.

Synthesis of a new camphor-derived carboxylesterase-activated fluorescent probe for sensitive detection of dimethoate residues in agricultural products and its applications in biological systems

In this paper, a camphor-derived enzyme activatable probe CPA was synthesized for detecting dimethoate pesticide. The ester bond of probe CPA could be selectively hydrolyzed and fragmented in the presence of carboxylesterase (CE), which caused a remarkably enhanced green fluorescence signal at 501 nm. Probe CPA could function as an effective fluorescent platform for the sequential detection of dimethoate due to the obvious inhibition effect of dimethoate on the activity of CE. The detection limit of probe CPA to dimethoate was computed to be 0.1104 μg/mL. Even more important, CPA was effectively utilized for quantitative determination of trace dimethoate residues in agricultural products including fresh vegetables and fruits with good accuracy. Furthermore, the probe CPA could realize the detection of dimethoate in living cells and zebrafish. This work is expected to provide a highly sensitive and accurate analytical method for detecting organophosphorus pesticide residues in food samples and biological systems.

Role of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Insecticide Residue Degradation

Lactic acid bacteria are gaining global attention, especially due to their role as a probiotic. They are increasingly being used as a flavoring agent and food preservative. Besides their role in food processing, lactic acid bacteria also have a significant role in degrading insecticide residues in the environment. This review paper highlights the importance of lactic acid bacteria in degrading insecticide residues of various types, such as organochlorines, organophosphorus, synthetic pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and diamides. The paper discusses the mechanisms employed by lactic acid bacteria to degrade these insecticides, as well as their potential applications in bioremediation. The key enzymes produced by lactic acid bacteria, such as phosphatase and esterase, play a vital role in breaking down insecticide molecules. Furthermore, the paper discusses the challenges and future directions in this field. However, more research is needed to optimize the utilization of lactic acid bacteria in insecticide residue degradation and to develop practical strategies for their implementation in real-world scenarios.

Ultrasensitive non-enzymatic electrochemical detection of paraoxon-ethyl in fruit samples using 2D Ti3C2Tx/MWCNT-OH

This study reports on the development of a highly sensitive non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor based on a two-dimensional Ti3C2Tx/MWCNT-OH nanocomposite for the detection of paraoxon-based pesticide. The synergistic effect between the Ti3C2Tx nanosheet and the functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes enhanced the sensor's conductivity and catalytic activity. The nanocomposite demonstrates superior electrochemical and electroanalytical performance compared to the pristine Ti3C2Tx and MWCNT-OH in detecting paraoxon-ethyl in fruit samples (green and red grapes), with a linear response range from 0.1 to 100 μM, a low limit of detection (LOD) of 10 nM, limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 70 nM, and sensitivity of 0.957 µA μM-1 cm-2 at pH 8. Furthermore, the sensors maintain excellent selectivity and effectiveness in detecting paraoxon-ethyl even in the presence of various interferents, including diazinon, carbaryl, Fe2+, NO2-, NO3-, ascorbic acid, and glucose. The facile fabrication and enhanced sensing capabilities of the Ti3C2Tx/MWCNT-OH nanocomposite position it as a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to conventional detection systems for monitoring pesticide residues in agricultural products.

A novel ultrafast and highly sensitive NIR fluorescent probe for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides in foods and biological systems

The threat posed by organophosphorus pesticides (OPS) to food safety, human health, and the ecological environment is significant, which underscoring the need for the development of new detection tools. We designed and synthesized a NIR fluorescent probe PT-CES which targets carboxylesterase (CES), for the detection of OPS based on the principle of enzyme inhibition. The PT-CES is capable of instantaneous response to CES, exhibiting excellent stability, anti-interference capability. PT-CES realizes the quantitative detection of CES and OPS. It is noteworthy that PT-CES shows excellent stable and accurate detection ability in vegetable pesticide testing. It also enables the monitoring of CES activity in cells and liver tissue. This provides a novel tool for tracking the effect of OPS on CES activity in biological systems. Furthermore, it provides a useful method for ensuring food safety and enhancing pesticide residue analysis.

Paper-based multicolor sensor for on-site quantitative detection of organophosphate pesticides based on acetylcholinesterase-mediated paper-based Au3+-etching of gold nanobipyramids and CIELab color space

On-site quantitative detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) is crucial for safeguarding food and public safety. This study presents a novel acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-mediated paper-based Au3+-etching of gold nanobipyramids (AuNBPs) system. The system employs a long-term storable AuNBPs-deposited nylon membrane embedded within a portable and temperature-controlled paper-based analytical device. This system, coupled with a colorimeter-based quantitative method, enables the development of a practical paper-based multicolor sensor (PMS) for on-site quantitative detection of three common OPs (paraoxon, dichlorvos, and trichlorfon). In the absence of OPs, AChE hydrolyzes acetylthiocholine to thiocholine, which reduces Au3+ to Au+. The presence of OPs inhibits AChE activity, thereby preserving Au3+ to etch AuNBPs on nylon membranes, accompanied by multicolor changes. These color changes can be simply quantified by measuring the a∗ parameter of the CIELab color space using a portable colorimeter. Under optimal conditions, the PMS displayed eight OPs-corresponding color changes with a minimum detectable concentration of 1.0-10 μg/L (visual observation) and limits of detection of 0.8-7.2 μg/L (colorimeter) and 0.2-3.4 μg/L (UV-vis spectrometry). The PMS successfully determined the OPs in vegetable and rice samples with recoveries of 89.0-109 % and RSDs (n = 5) of <6 %. These results were consistent with those obtained using the HPLC-MS method. The PMS demonstrates excellent portability, AuNBPs stability, detection sensitivity, and reproducibility, making it a promising tool for the on-site quantitative detection of OPs residues in food. Furthermore, the paper-based etching system coupled with the colorimeter-based quantitative method provides a valuable reference to develop practical PMSs for various targets in diverse fields.

Electrochemiluminescence sensor for organophosphorus pesticides based on the regulation of resonance energy transfer between negative charged gold nanorods and Ru(bpy)32

Combined the electrostatic interaction of the negatively charged gold nanorods (AuNRs) (as acceptor) and Ru(bpy)32+ (as donor), an electrochemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) sensor was constructed and applied for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). Negatively charged AuNRs were synthesized by modifying AuNRs with polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) firstly, which can bind to Ru(bpy)32+ through electrostatic interaction so that the luminophore was absorbed by the acceptor, the resonance energy transfer occurred and only low ECL signal had been detected. Thiocholine can be produced by the hydrolysis process of acetylthiocholine (ATCh) with the help of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which can bond with PSS-modified AuNRs (PSS-AuNRs) through gold-sulfur interaction, this caused the releasing of the adsorbed Ru(bpy)32+ into the solution and resulting in the restoration of the ECL intensity. However, the activity of AChE was inhibited by OPs, and the recovery process of the ECL signal was thus suppressed as well. In this study, chlorpyrifos was chosen as model target, the results indicated that the correlation between the ECL intensity and the logarithm of chlorpyrifos concentration showed remarkable linearity across 1 ng/mL to 1 mg/mL, achieving a detection limit of 0.51 ng/mL. The proposed system has been utilized for detecting OPs in real samples with satisfied results.

Fe3O4@nitrogen-doped carbon@Pd core-double shell nanotubes as a novel nanosorbent for ultrasonic assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction of organophosphorus pesticides

In this study, an ultrasonic assisted dispersive magnetic solid phase extraction leveraging Fe3O4@nitrogen-doped carbon@Pd core-double shell nanotubes was developed for the extraction of organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in trace levels from real samples. Incorporation of Pd species into the structure of the nanosorbent could enhance its interactions with sulfur groups in the structure of OPPs. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, brunauer-emmett-teller, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the nanosorbent after its synthesis. Then, effective variables on the extraction efficiency of OPPs using the nanosorbent were optimized. These parameters included 2-propanol as the adsorption solvent; the sample pH of 7.0; the sorbent quantity of 10 mg; and the extraction and desorption times of 3 min. Under optimized conditions, linear ranges with determination coefficients (R2) higher than 0.99, low detection limits of 0.30 ng mL-1, high preconcentration factors (423-470) and relatively high extraction recoveries (84-94 %) were obtained. The proposed extraction system was then successfully applied to the analysis of OPPs in fruits, vegetables, water, and agricultural soil samples, yielding relative recoveries from 90.4 to 107 %.

Nanopaper Integrated Smart Device: An Opto-Electrochemical Biosensor for Real-Time Dual On-Field Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides

The frequent and excessive use of organophosphorus pesticides in the agriculture industry raises persistent concerns regarding their environmental protection and public health implications. Addressing these issues requires the development of affordable and reliable sensing platforms for on-field monitoring to mitigate their adverse impacts promptly. This study utilizes nanocellulose papers (bacterial and TEMPO-oxidized) combined with butyrylcholinesterase to create a novel reagent-free and orthogonal nanobioplatform featuring smart opto-electrochemical dual outputs. An integrated nano-PAD, preloaded with enzymes and enzymatic substrates, is fabricated using wax-printing and screen-printing technologies. The nano-PAD measures opto-electroactive products, specifically indoxyl and thiocholine, whose concentrations correlate directly with the enzymatic inhibition caused by paraoxon, used as the organophosphate model. To enhance user convenience and meet the requirements for smart real-time point-of-need detection, integration of the nano-PAD with a smartphone-operated miniaturized potentiostat and a self-developed portable smart optical reader is achieved. The developed bioanalytical platform, further supported by a self-developed Android application, enables accurate and efficient quantification of dual signals in real time. The system covers a wide detection range of paraoxon (20-100 ppb) and demonstrates reliable recovery levels (ranging from 98 to 107%) in a real matrix, specifically wastewater. Given these demonstrated capabilities, this innovative biosensing strategy holds substantial potential for practical application in environmental surveillance, facilitating timely and informed environmental management decisions, particularly in resource-limited settings where traditional analytical tools are inaccessible.

Organophosphorus Pesticides Management Strategies: Prohibition and Restriction Multi-Category Multi-Class Models, Environmental Transformation Risks, and Special Attention List

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.

Visual signal transduction for environmental stewardship: A novel biosensing approach to identify and quantify chlorpyrifos-related residues in aquatic environments

The pervasive presence of organophosphate pesticides (OPs), such as chlorpyrifos (CPF), in aquatic ecosystems underscores the urgent need for sensitive and reliable detection methods to safeguard environmental and public health. This study addressed the critical need for a novel biosensor capable of detecting CPF and its toxic metabolite, 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP), with high sensitivity and selectivity, suitable for field applications in environmental monitoring. The study engineered a whole-cell biosensor based on E. coli strains that utilize the ChpR transcriptional regulator and the vioABCE gene cluster, providing a distinct visual and colorimetric response to CPF and TCP. The biosensor's performance was optimized and evaluated across various water matrices, including freshwater, seawater, and soil leachate. The biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity with a broad linear detection range, achieving limits of detection (LODs) at 0.8 μM for CPF and 7.813 nM for TCP. The linear regression concentration ranges were 1.6-12.5 μM for CPF and 15.6-125 nM for TCP, aligning with environmental standard limits and ensuring the biosensor's effectiveness in real-world scenarios. This innovative biosensing approach offers a robust, user-friendly tool for on-site environmental monitoring, significantly mitigating OPs contamination and advancing current detection technologies to meet environmental protection standards.

Changes of blood cholinesterase activities among pesticides-exposed agricultural workers in Iraq: A meta-analysis

Numerous studies in Iraq have attempted to determine blood cholinesterase (ChE) activities with varying results in agricultural workers and veterinarians exposed to pesticides. This meta-analysis answers the specific inquiry of whether or not blood ChE activities decrease in agricultural workers exposed previously to pesticides. The meta-analysis included 14 records of blood ChE activities extracted from 12 studies after employing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). These records comprised ChE activities in agricultural workers exposed to pesticides (n = 635) versus their respective control cohorts (n = 416). We employed the one-group random effects model for the meta-analysis and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) to examine study quality. The combined effect size of pesticides exposed group (% ChE activity versus control) was significant at 86.13 %. Heterogeneity (I2 = 49.86 %) was moderate. Subgroup analysis of the enzyme source (plasma/serum and erythrocytes/whole blood) revealed that plasma effect size was significant at 82.36 % compared to erythrocytes (92.08 %), which was not significant. No publication bias existed. The studies were of high quality (NOS ≥ 7). The present study is the first meta-analytic report of associating reduced blood ChE activities with pesticides exposure in Iraqi agricultural workers. Reduced pseudo ChE (plasma, serum) activity was the most significant indicator of pesticides exposure. Nevertheless, we recommend biomonitoring erythrocyte and even whole blood ChE activities in pesticides-exposed individuals, because of scarce information on the type and frequency of pesticides employed by Iraqi agricultural workers. Our findings call for a national integrated plan and improved regulations for safer and judicious pesticides applications and follow-up practices in Iraq in order to reduce potential health hazards and environmental risks.

Organophosphate pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in Nigeria: prevalence, environmental impact, and human health implications

Pesticides have become indispensable in modern agriculture, aiding in crop protection, and ensuring food security. However, their extensive use has raised concerns about environmental contamination and human health risks. This manuscript reviews the prevalence of organophosphate pesticide (OPP) use in Nigerian agriculture and explores methods for detecting pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. Despite the critical role of pesticides in safeguarding crop yields, the lack of regulatory enforcement and monitoring in Nigeria poses significant challenges. The review underscores the importance of understanding the health implications of pesticide residues in food. While acute and sub-chronic health effects of OPP exposure have been studied, there remains a need for a focused review of the long-term impacts, particularly in the context of limited regulatory oversight. Additionally, the manuscript highlights gaps in knowledge regarding the effects of pesticides on biodiversity, ecosystems, and vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Recommendations include longitudinal studies to assess cumulative and delayed health consequences, systematic reporting of poisoning incidents, and routine analysis of food products to ensure safety. By addressing these gaps, a more comprehensive understanding of the consequences of OPP usage in Nigeria can be achieved, facilitating the development of effective risk management strategies to protect both the environment and public health.

Ultrasensitive and rapid detection of organophosphates using a dual-signal naked-eye hydrogel sensor based on acetylcholinesterase inhibition

Accurate determination of pesticide residues is crucial for food safety. A self-calibration method was developed for dual-signal "naked-eye" detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) using bifunctional gold nanozymes (AuNEs). OPs inhibit the cascade reaction of acetylcholinesterase/choline oxidase (AChE/CHO) to reduce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, which affects the AuNE-catalyzed color reaction and quenches the fluorescence of AuNEs with the assistance of Fe2+. The multi-enzyme cascade system can be integrated into hydrogel sheets for smartphone-assisted digital, quantitative, and onsite detection of OPs in real food samples by analyzing the linear changes in colorimetric and fluorometric signals, which closely match liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) results. This method displays a lowest 'naked-eye' detection concentration of 7 ppb, a wide linear range (0-2000 ng/mL), and particularly the advantage of anti-interference via self-calibration when one of the signals is abnormal.

Degradation of the novel herbicide tiafenacil in aqueous solution: Kinetics, various influencing factors, hydrolysis products identification, and toxicity assessment

As new pesticides are continually introduced into agricultural systems, understanding their environmental behavior and potential toxicity effects is crucial for effective risk assessment. This study utilized QuEChERS and UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS techniques to analyze Tiafenacil (TFA) and its six hydrolysis products (HP1 to HP6) in water, marking the first comprehensive report on these degradation products. Calibration curves demonstrated strong linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9903) across concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 3.50 mg L-1. TFA's hydrolysis followed single first-order kinetic (SFOK) model, with rapid degradation observed under alkaline and high-temperature conditions, resulting in half-lives ranging from 0.22 to 84.82 days. The ECOSAR model predicts that TFA's hydrolysis products exhibit acute and chronic toxicity to fish, Daphnia, and green algae. Additionally, hydrolysis products HP1, HP5, and HP6 were detected in irrigation water from citrus orchards, posing higher predicted toxicity risks to fish and green algae. This highlights the necessity for further risk assessments considering transformation products. Overall, this study enhances our understanding of TFA's environmental fate and supports its safe agricultural application and monitoring practices.

Impact of organic contaminants in soils from Important Bird and Biodiversity areas

Soils act as sinks for many organic contaminants, posing a threat to biodiversity and essential ecosystem services. In this study, we assessed the contamination status of soils in 140 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Spain. Fifty-two organic contaminants including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and plasticizers or plastic related such as phthalates, bisphenol A, nonylphenol, and organophosphate esters (OPEs) were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The mean soil concentration ranged from 1.41 to 917 ng/g and plasticizer and PAHs were detected at the highest concentrations, while OCPs were the most frequently detected. Hierarchical clustering on principal components (HCPC) and land use data associated PCBs with artificial land, phthalates with industrial sites and incineration plants and PAHs with burned areas, and in a lesser extent pesticides with agricultural activities. A tier I environmental risk assessment (ERA) was performed to identify the most impacted natural areas and the most concerning compounds. Out of the 140 IBAs, 95 presented at least one compound at high-risk concentrations (RQ > 1) for soil organisms. The OPPs chlorpyrifos and malathion, together with the PAH benzo[b]fluoranthene, were detected at high-risk concentrations. Overall, this study highlights the widespread presence of organic contaminants in areas of high natural value and the importance of implementing monitoring studies to identify potential contaminated sites that require conservation and remediation actions for the protection of biodiversity.

Agricultural biomass/waste-based materials could be a potential adsorption-type remediation contributor to environmental pollution induced by pesticides-A critical review

The widespread use of pesticides that are inevitable to keep the production of food grains brings serious environmental pollution problems. Turning agricultural biomass/wastes into materials addressing the issues of pesticide contaminants is a feasible strategy to realize the reuse of wastes. Several works summarized the current applications of agricultural biomass/waste materials in the remediation of environmental pollutants. However, few studies systematically take the pesticides as an unitary target pollutant. This critical review comprehensively described the remediation effects of crop-derived waste (cereal crops, cash crops) and animal-derived waste materials on pesticide pollution. Adsorption is considered a superior and highlighted effect between pesticides and materials. The review generalized the sources, preparation, characterization, condition optimization, removal efficiency and influencing factors analysis of agricultural biomass/waste materials. Our work mainly emphasized the promising results in lab experiments, which helps to clarify the current application status of these materials in the field of pesticide remediation. In the meantime, rigorous pros and cons of the materials guide to understand the research trends more comprehensively. Overall, we hope to achieve a large-scale use of agricultural biomass/wastes.

A review on the encapsulation of "eco-friendly" compounds in natural polymer-based nanoparticles as next generation nano-agrochemicals for sustainable agriculture and crop management

Crop management techniques and sustainable agriculture offer a comprehensive farming method that incorporates social, economic, and ecological factors. Sustainable agriculture places a high priority on soil health, water efficiency, and biodiversity conservation in order to develop resilient and regenerative food systems that can feed both the current and future generations. Our goal in this review is to give a thorough overview of current developments in the use of polysaccharides as raw materials for the encapsulation of natural chemicals in nanoparticles as novel crop protection products. The search for recent research articles and latest reviews has been carried out through pubmed, google scholar, BASE as search engines. Offer cutting-edge solutions for sustainable crop management that satisfy the demands of an expanding population, comply with changing legal frameworks, and address environmental issues by encasing natural compounds inside polysaccharide-based nanoparticles. A variety of natural substances, such as essential oils, plant extracts, antimicrobials compounds and miRNA, can be included in these nanoparticles. These materials have many advantages, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and controlled release of active compounds. Thanks to their action mechanism, they are able to mediate hormone signaling and gene expression in different plant physiological aspects, as well as enhance their tolerance to abiotic stress conditions. Sustainable agriculture can be supported by this type of treatments, correctly developing food safety through the production of non-toxic nanoparticles, low-cost industrial scale-up and the use of biodegradable materials. Polysaccharide-based nanoparticles have a wide range of uses in agriculture: they improve crop yields, encourage "eco-friendly" farming methods and can decrease the concentrations of active ingredient used, providing an accurate and affective dosage without damaging further species, as well as avoiding treatment resistance risks. These nanoparticles can also reduce the negative effects of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, contributing to the environmentally friendly agricultural development. Furthermore, the application of polysaccharide-based nanoparticles is consistent with the expanding trend of green and sustainable agriculture.

HI-6-Loaded Vehicle of Liposomes Mediated by an Amphiphilic Pillar[5]arene against Paraoxon Poisoning

Organophosphate (OP) intoxication has become a severe common health matter all over the world. For the treatment of acute OP poisoning, the effective intracerebral delivery of acetylcholinesterase reactivators is crucial. Here, an amphiphilic hydrazide-pillar[5]arene (HP5A-6C), which could be readily integrated into liposomal bilayers' zwitterionic disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC), was synthesized. A T7 peptide-containing guest (G) was attached on the surface via a noncovalent interaction to make mixed liposomes a particularly appealing candidate for brain-targeting delivery. Such coassembly could remain stable at room temperature for up to 6 weeks, and safety evaluations initially verified its fine biological compatibility. The hydrophilic interiors of T7/HP5A-6C@DSPC could further load HI-6 with 89.70% encapsulation efficiency. Support for brain-targeting potency came from imaging results. Notably, intravenous injection of HI-6-loaded vesicles exhibited a remarkable therapeutic effect on paraoxon (POX)-poisoned mice, effectively alleviating seizures and brain damage and significantly increasing the improving survival rate to 60% over the course of 7 days.

Surface-Initiated Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization (SI-RAFT) to Produce Molecularly Imprinted Polymers on Graphene Oxide for Electrochemical Sensing of Methylparathion

A nonenzymatic redox-responsive sensor was put forward for the detection of methylparathion (MP) by designing globular nanostructures of molecularly imprinted polymers on graphene oxide (GO@MIPs) via surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (SI-RAFT). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies have confirmed the successful formation of receptor layers of MIPs on RAFT agent-functionalized GO sheets. The electrochemical signal with an amplified current response was attained because of the enhanced diffusion rate of ions at the interface provided by widening the pore size of the MIP film. The analytical response of GO@MIPs, validated by recording square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) at varying MP concentrations, followed the linear response between 0.2 and 200 ng/mL. Under optimized conditions, the sensor exhibited a limit of detection of 4.25 ng/mL with high selectivity over other interfering ions or molecules. The anti-interfering ability and good recovery (%) in food samples directed the use of the proposed sensor toward real-time monitoring and also toward future mimicking of surfaces.

A comprehensive review on the treatment of pesticide-contaminated wastewater with special emphasis on organophosphate pesticides using constructed wetlands

Pesticides pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems due to their persistent nature and adverse effects on biota. The increased detection of pesticides in various water bodies has prompted research into their toxicological impacts and potential remediation strategies. However, addressing this issue requires the establishment of robust regulatory frameworks to determine safe thresholds for pesticide concentrations in water and the development of effective treatment methods. This assessment underscores the complex ecological risks associated with organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) and emphasizes the urgent need for strategic management and regulatory measures. This study presents a detailed examination of the global prevalence of OPPs and their potential adverse effects on aquatic and human life. A comprehensive risk assessment identifies azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, and profenfos as posing considerable ecological hazard to fathead minnow, daphnia magna, and T. pyriformis. Additionally, this review explores the potential efficacy of constructed wetlands (CWs) as a sustainable approach for mitigating wastewater contamination by diverse pesticide compounds. Furthermore, the review assess the effectiveness of CWs for treating wastewater contaminated with pesticides by critically analyzing the removal mechanism and key factors. The study suggests that the optimal pH range for CWs is 6-8, with higher temperatures promoting microbial breakdown and lower temperatures enhancing pollutant removal through adsorption and sedimentation. The importance of wetland vegetation in promoting sorption, absorption, and degradation processes is emphasized. The study emphasizes the importance of hydraulic retention time (HRT) in designing, operating, and maintaining CWs for pesticide-contaminated water treatment. The removal efficiency of CWs ranges from 38% to 100%, depending on factors like pesticide type, substrate materials, reactor setup, and operating conditions.

Adsorptive removal of organophosphate pesticides from aqueous solution using electrospun carbon nanofibers

Organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) are widely prevalent in the environment primarily due to their low cost and extensive use in agricultural lands. However, it is estimated that only about 5% of these applied pesticides reach their intended target organisms. The remaining 95% residue linger in the environment as contaminants, posing significant ecological and health risks. This underscores the need for materials capable of effectively removing, recovering, and recycling these contaminants through adsorption processes. In this research, adsorbent materials composed of electro-spun carbon nanofibers (ECNFs) derived from polyacrylonitrile was developed. The materials were characterized through several techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, and contact angle measurements. SEM analysis revealed details of the structural properties and inter-fiber spacing variations of the carbon nanofibers. The results revealed that ECNFs possess remarkable uniformity, active surface areas, and high efficiency for adsorption processes. The adsorption studies were conducted using batch experiments with ethion pesticide in aqueous solution. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector (HPLC-DAD) was utilized to quantify the concentrations of the OPP. Various parameters, including adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and initial ethion concentration, were investigated to understand their impact on the adsorption process. The adsorption isotherm was best described by the Freundlich model, while the kinetics of adsorption followed a non-integer-order kinetics model. The adsorption capacity of the ECNFs for OPP removal highlights a significant advancement in materials designed for environmental remediation applications. This study demonstrates the potential of ECNFs to serve as effective adsorbents, contributing to the mitigation of pesticide contamination in agricultural environments.

Environmental remediation of emerging contaminants using subcritical water: A review

The continuous rise of emerging contaminants (ECs) in the environment has been a growing concern due to their potentially harmful effects on humans, animals, plants, and aquatic life, even at low concentrations. ECs include human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, hormones, personal care products, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organic dyes, heavy metals (HMs), and others. The world's growing population contributes to the release of many kinds of chemicals into the environment, which is estimated to be more than 200 billion metric tons annually and results in over 9 million deaths. The removal of these contaminants using conventional physical, chemical, and biological treatments has proven to be ineffective, highlighting the need for simple, effective, inexpesive, practical, and eco-friendly alternatives. Thus, this article discusses the utilization of subcritical water oxidation (SBWO) and subcritical water extraction (SBWE) techniques to remove ECS from the environment. Subcritical water (water below the critical temperature of 374.15 °C and critical pressure of 22.1 Mpa) has emerged as one of the most promising methods for remediation of ECs from the environment due to its non-toxic properties, simplicity and efficiency of application. Furthermore, the impact of temperature, pressure, treatment time, and utilization of chelating agents, organic modifiers, and oxidizing agents in the static and dynamic modes was investigated to establish the best conditions for high ECs removal efficiencies.

Association between exposure to organophosphorus pesticide and suicidal ideation among U.S. adults: A population-based study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the potential link between exposure to organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) and suicidal ideation (SI) among adults.

METHODS

This study encompassed four cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), involving 5244 participants aged 20 and above. SI was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The levels of exposure to OPPs were estimated by analyzing concentrations of OPP metabolites in urine samples. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the association between exposure to each OPP and SI. Stratified analyses and interaction tests were conducted across various groups, including pairwise combinations of gender and age, as well as body mass index, smoking status, hypertension, and diabetes. Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models were applied to assess the cumulative impact of exposure to the four OPPs on SI, along with their respective contributions. Additionally, the potential interactions among these four OPPs were evaluated.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression revealed that only dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP) among OPPs demonstrated a statistically significant positive association with SI [OR: 1.18; 95 % CI: 1.02-1.37]. Stratified analyses indicated that the influence of OPPs on SI was particularly pronounced in young and older men. The WQS regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between the mixed metabolites of OPPs and SI [OR = 1.10, 95 % CI: 1.04-1.16], with DMTP (weighted 0.63) contributing the most. Furthermore, the BKMR model supported a positive trend in the overall impact of these OPP metabolites on SI, displaying notable individual exposure-response relationships for DMTP (PIP: 0.77).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests an association between exposure to DMTP and an increased risk of SI. Specifically, young adult males and older males appear particularly susceptible to the effects of OPP exposure.

Environmentally responsive changes in mucus indicators and microbiota of Chinese sturgeon Acipensersinensis

The impact of environmental factors on the health of the endangered Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) and the potential hazards associated with sample collection for health monitoring pose urgent need to its conservation. In this study, Chinese sturgeons were selected from indoor and outdoor environments to evaluate metabolic and tissue damage indicators, along with a non-specific immune enzyme in fish mucus. Additionally, the microbiota of both water bodies and fish mucus were determined using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. The correlation between the indicators and the microbiota was investigated, along with the measurement of multiple environmental factors. The results revealed significantly higher levels of two metabolic indicators, total protein (TP) and cortisol (COR) in indoor fish mucus compared to outdoor fish mucus (p < 0.05). The activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly higher in indoor fish, serving as indicators of tissue damage (p < 0.05). The activity of lysozyme (LZM) was significantly lower in indoor fish (p < 0.01). Biomarker analysis at the phylum and genus levels in outdoor samples revealed that microorganisms were primarily related to the catabolism of organic nutrients. In indoor environments, microorganisms displayed a broader spectrum of functions, including ecological niche establishment, host colonization, potential pathogenicity, and antagonism of pathogens. KEGG functional enrichment corroborated these findings. Dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), turbidity (TU), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) exerted effects on outdoor microbiota. Temperature (TEMP), nitrate (NO3-), total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) influenced indoor microbiota. Changes in mucus indicators, microbial structure, and function in both environments were highly correlated with these factors. Our study provides novel insights into the health impacts of different environments on Chinese sturgeon using a non-invasive method.

Applications of Microbial Organophosphate-Degrading Enzymes to Detoxification of Organophosphorous Compounds for Medical Countermeasures against Poisoning and Environmental Remediation

Mining of organophosphorous (OPs)-degrading bacterial enzymes in collections of known bacterial strains and in natural biotopes are important research fields that lead to the isolation of novel OP-degrading enzymes. Then, implementation of strategies and methods of protein engineering and nanobiotechnology allow large-scale production of enzymes, displaying improved catalytic properties for medical uses and protection of the environment. For medical applications, the enzyme formulations must be stable in the bloodstream and upon storage and not susceptible to induce iatrogenic effects. This, in particular, includes the nanoencapsulation of bioscavengers of bacterial origin. In the application field of bioremediation, these enzymes play a crucial role in environmental cleanup by initiating the degradation of OPs, such as pesticides, in contaminated environments. In microbial cell configuration, these enzymes can break down chemical bonds of OPs and usually convert them into less toxic metabolites through a biotransformation process or contribute to their complete mineralization. In their purified state, they exhibit higher pollutant degradation efficiencies and the ability to operate under different environmental conditions. Thus, this review provides a clear overview of the current knowledge about applications of OP-reacting enzymes. It presents research works focusing on the use of these enzymes in various bioremediation strategies to mitigate environmental pollution and in medicine as alternative therapeutic means against OP poisoning.

Effect of emerging pollutants on the gut microbiota of freshwater animals: Focusing on microplastics and pesticides

In recent years, emerging environmental pollutants have increasingly endangered the health of freshwater organisms. The gut microbiota exhibits sensitivity to medications, dietary factors and environmental pollutants, rendering it a novel target for toxicological studies. The gut microbiota can be a potential exposure route affecting the host's health. Herein, we review the current knowledge on two different but concurrent pollutants, microplastics and pesticides, regarding their impact on the gut microbiota, which includes alterations in microbial composition, gene expression, function, and health effects in the hosts. Moreover, synergetic interactions between microplastics and pesticides can exacerbate dysbiosis and health risks. We discuss health-related implications of gut microbial changes based on the consequences in metabolism, immunity, and physiology function. Further research is needed to discover the mechanisms underlying these effects and develop strategies for mitigating their harmful impacts on freshwater animals.

Basic research for identification and classification of organophosphorus pesticides in water based on ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy information

In this study, the goal was to develop a method for detecting and classifying organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) in bodies of water. Sixty-five samples with different concentrations were prepared for each of the organophosphorus pesticides, namely chlorpyrifos, acephate, parathion-methyl, trichlorphon, dichlorvos, profenofos, malathion, dimethoate, fenthion, and phoxim, respectively. Firstly, the spectral data of all the samples was obtained using a UV-visible spectrometer. Secondly, five preprocessing methods, six manifold learning methods, and five machine learning algorithms were utilized to build detection models for identifying OPPs in water bodies. The findings indicate that the accuracy of machine learning models trained on data preprocessed using convolutional smoothing + first-order derivatives (SG + FD) outperforms that of models trained on data preprocessed using other methods. The backpropagation neural network (BPNN) model exhibited the highest accuracy rate at 99.95%, followed by the support vector machine (SVM) and convolutional neural network (CNN) models, both at 99.92%. The extreme learning machine (ELM) and K-nearest neighbors (KNN) models demonstrated accuracy rates of 99.84% and 99.81%, respectively. Following the application of a manifold learning algorithm to the full-wavelength data set for the purpose of dimensionality reduction, the data was then visualized in the first three dimensions. The results demonstrate that the t-distributed domain embedding (t-SNE) algorithm is superior, exhibiting dense clustering of similar clusters and clear classification of dissimilar ones. SG + FD-t-SNE-SVM ranks highest among the feature extraction models in terms of performance. The feature extraction dimension was set to 4, and the average classification accuracy was 99.98%, which slightly improved the prediction performance over the full-wavelength model. As shown in this study, the ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible) spectroscopy system combined with the t-SNE and SVM algorithms can effectively identify and classify OPPs in waterbodies.

Bioremediation and bioscavenging for elimination of organophosphorus threats: An approach using enzymatic advancements

Organophosphorus compounds (OP) are highly toxic pesticides and nerve agents widely used in agriculture and chemical warfare. The extensive use of these chemicals has severe environmental implications, such as contamination of soil, water bodies, and food chains, thus endangering ecosystems and biodiversity. Plants absorb pesticide residues, which then enter the food chain and accumulate in the body fat of both humans and animals. Numerous human cases of OP poisoning have been linked to both acute and long-term exposure to these toxic OP compounds. These compounds inhibit the action of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme (AChE) by phosphorylation, which prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter into choline and acetate. Thus, it becomes vital to cleanse the environment from these chemicals utilizing various physical, chemical, and biological methods. Biological methods encompassing bioremediation using immobilized microbes and enzymes have emerged as environment-friendly and cost-effective approaches for pesticide removal. Cell/enzyme immobilized systems offer higher stability, reusability, and ease of product recovery, making them ideal tools for OP bioremediation. Interestingly, enzymatic bioscavengers (stoichiometric, pseudo-catalytic, and catalytic) play a vital role in detoxifying pesticides from the human body. Catalytic bioscavenging enzymes such as Organophosphate Hydrolase, Organophosphorus acid anhydrolase, and Paraoxonase 1 show high degradation efficiency within the animal body as well as in the environment. Moreover, these enzymes can also be employed to decontaminate pesticides from food, ensuring food safety and thus minimizing human exposure. This review aims to provide insights to potential collaborators in research organizations, government bodies, and industries to bring advancements in the field of bioremediation and bioscavenging technologies for the mitigation of OP-induced health hazards.

Analysis of microbial dynamics in the soybean root-associated environments from community to single-cell levels

Plant root-associated environments such as the rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and endosphere, are notably different from non-root-associated soil environments. However, the microbial dynamics in these spatially divided compartments remain unexplored. In this study, we propose a combinational analysis of single-cell genomics with 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This method enabled us to understand the entire soil microbiome and individual root-associated microorganisms. We applied this method to soybean microbiomes and revealed that their composition was different between the rhizoplane and rhizosphere in the early growth stages, but became more similar as growth progressed. In addition, a total of 610 medium- to high-quality single-amplified genomes (SAGs) were acquired, including plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) candidates while genomes with high GC content tended to be missed by SAGs. The whole-genome analyses of the SAGs suggested that rhizoplane-enriched Flavobacterium solubilizes organophosphate actively and Bacillus colonizes roots more efficiently. Single-cell genomics, together with 16S rRNA gene sequencing, enabled us to connect microbial taxonomy and function, and assess microorganisms at a strain resolution even in the complex soil microbiome.