Dermal pharmacokinetics of the insecticide furathiocarb in rats

Degradation and Persistence of Carbofuran in Peanut and Soil in Field Trails as Determined by GC-MS

This paper investigated the analytical method of degradation and persistence of carbofuran, its metabolite 3-hydroxy carbofuran in peanut seeds, fronds and soils in field trial using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Carbofuran 3GR formulation (3g a.i./100g) was applied at dosages of 2250 and 3375g ha-1in furrow at sowing peanut seeds in the fields of Langfang, Hebei province and Jinan, Shandong province, China, respectively. The soil and the plant samples were collected at different intervals and the residues of carbofuran and 3-hydroxy carbofuran were analyzed by GC-MS. The degradation kinetic result showed that the degradation of carbofuran in peanut fronds in Jinan and Langfang can be well predicted with equation: C=1.2839e-0.1733tand C=0.5731e-0.1567t, with a half-life about 4.0 and 4.4 days respectively. For the degradation of carbofuran in soils, the result coincides well with equations: C= 4.2057e-0.2229t, and C= 5.4014e-0.1499t, with half-life of 3.1 and 4.6 days for Jinan and Langfang, respectively. The pH, organic matter and clay content as well as the climatic temperature play an important role in the degradation of carbofuran in soils. 3-hydroxy carbofuran dissipated rapidly both in peanut fronds and soils, it was not detectable 7 days after treatment for all treatment, the concentration of carbofuran and 3-hydroxy carbofuran in peanut seeds at harvest time were lower than either the maximum residue limit in China or the EUs maximum residue limit of 0.1 mg kg1. Based on the data from this investigation, the use of carbofuran in peanut could be considered to be safe.

Determination of carbofuran, carbaryl and their main metabolites in plasma samples of agricultural populations using gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (GC-MS/MS) method has been developed for the determination of carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate), carbaryl (1-naphthyl-N-methylcarbamate) and their main metabolites in human blood plasma. Optimization of the isolation of the compounds from plasma matrix included the precipitation, denaturation and digestion of plasma proteins. Derivatization was achieved by the use of trifluoroacetic acid anhydride and was optimized for temperature, time and volume of derivatization agent. In the proposed method, a mild precipitation technique was applied using beta-mercaptoethanol and ascorbic acid in combination with solid-phase extraction technique using Oasis HLB (Hydrophobic Lipophilic Balance) cartridges for further clean up of samples. Carbamate linkage was not hydrolyzed to its phenol product, but both carbamate phenol and ketones were transformed into trifluoroacetyl derivatives in order to become volatile compounds and were determined using tandem mass spectrometry. The linearity of the method was shown for nine concentrations in the range of 0.50-250 ng mL(-1) in fortified plasma aliquots. Limits of detection (LODs) for all compounds ranged from 0.015-0.151 ng mL(-1). Inter-day and intra-day assays (RSD) for all compounds, at three concentration levels of 2.5, 25 and 100 ng mL(-1) (n=3) in fortified plasma samples were less than 18%. Accuracy (%E (r)) was calculated at three concentration levels, 8, 80 and 160 ng mL(-1) (n=3), and ranged from -12.0 to 15.0%. Matrix effect was evaluated so mean recoveries were calculated for all compounds and ranged from 81-107%. Specificity for the use of this method to biological monitoring studies was achieved including four main metabolites of CF, 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol from the naphthalene metabolism pathways, and both the parent compound of carbofuran and carbaryl. The proposed method was applied to plasma samples of pesticide users.

STEREOSELECTIVE METABOLISM OF ENDOSULFAN BY HUMAN LIVER MICROSOMES AND HUMAN CYTOCHROME P450 ISOFORMS

Endosulfan (6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6,9-methano-2,3,4-benzo(e)dioxathiepin-3-oxide) is a broad-spectrum chlorinated cyclodiene insecticide. This study was performed to elucidate the stereoselective metabolism of endosulfan in human liver microsomes and to characterize the cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of endosulfan. Human liver microsomal incubation of endosulfan in the presence of NADPH resulted in the formation of the toxic metabolite, endosulfan sulfate. The intrinsic clearances (CL(int)) of endosulfan sulfate from beta-endosulfan were 3.5-fold higher than those from alpha-endosulfan, suggesting that beta-endosulfan would be cleared more rapidly than alpha-endosulfan. Correlation analysis between the known P450 enzyme activities and the rate of the formation of endosulfan sulfate in the 14 human liver microsomes showed that alpha-endosulfan metabolism is significantly correlated with CYP2B6-mediated bupropion hydroxylation and CYP3A-mediated midazolam hydroxylation, and that beta-endosulfan metabolism is correlated with CYP3A activity. The P450 isoform-selective inhibition study in human liver microsomes and the incubation study of cDNA-expressed enzymes also demonstrated that the stereoselective sulfonation of alpha-endosulfan is mediated by CYP2B6, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5, and that that of beta-endosulfan is transformed by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. The total CL(int) values of endosulfan sulfate formation catalyzed by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 were consistently higher for beta-endosulfan than for the alpha-form (CL(int) of 0.67 versus 10.46 microl/min/pmol P450, respectively). CYP2B6 enantioselectively metabolizes alpha-endosulfan, but not beta-endosulfan. These findings suggest that the CYP2B6 and CYP3A enzymes are major enzymes contributing to the stereoselective disposition of endosulfan.

Gas chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric method for the quantitation of carbofuran, carbaryl and their main metabolites in applicators’ urine

A new gas chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric method has been developed and validated for the determination of two N-methylcarbamates, carbofuran and carbaryl and their metabolites in applicators' urine specimens. Mild conditions were used for sample preparation based on enzymic hydrolysis and solid-phase extraction using Oasis HLB sorbent cartridges. Amides, phenols and ketones were first converted to volatile derivatives of trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (TFAA) and afterwards were quantitated using tandem mass spectrometry. Linear calibration equations (1-200 ng mL(-1) urine) were obtained from fortified urine samples for all eight compounds, carbaryl, 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, and carbofuran, 3-hydroxycarbofuran, 7-phenol, carbofuran-3-keto, 3- hydroxycarbofuranphenol. For all compounds, the limit of detection was lower than 0.1 ng mL(-1). Precision for all compounds, at the concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 ng mL(-1) (n = 5) in-fortified urine samples ranged from 0.7% to 18%. Accuracy was calculated at two concentrations 8 and 80 ng mL(-1) (n = 5) and ranged from -8.4% to 8.2%. Relative recoveries at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 ng mL(-1), ranged from 71% to 116%. The method was successfully applied to five male applicators and 10 non-applicators (including both smokers and non-smokers).

In vitro dermal penetration study of carbofuran, carbosulfan, and furathiocarb

In this study, the dermal penetration rate of carbofuran, carbosulfan, and furathiocarb has been measured with rat abdominal skin using the static diffusion cell. The technical grades of three compounds were applied at different doses on skin surface mounted in static diffusion cell and incubated at 32 degrees C for 48 h with shaking. The same procedures were carried out with furathiocarb EC (emulsifiable concentrate) and WP (wettable powder). At regular intervals, the receptor fluid in cell was sampled and analyzed by HPLC. Only carbofuran was found in carbosulfan- or furathiocarb-treated samples, suggesting they converted into carbofuran while passing through the skin layer. The quantity of insecticide penetrating skin increased with time and applied dose. The skin penetration rate increased with the water solubility of insecticides. The dermal penetration rates of carbofuran, furathiocarb, and carbosulfan were determined as 1.05 micro g/cm(2) per h ( r(2)=0.991), 0.46 micro g/cm(2) per h ( r(2)=0.984) and 0.14 micro g/cm(2) per h ( r(2)=0.967), respectively. There was no significant difference in rate of skin penetration between furathiocarb EC (1.42 micro g/cm(2) per h, r(2)=0.988) and WP (1.35 micro g/cm(2) per h, r(2)=0.982), while furathiocarb technical grade showed a lower skin penetration rate. In vitro models may be used to predict percutaneous absorption and are useful in selecting safer formulations for field application of pesticide.