Determination of Pesticides and Transformation Products in Ginkgo biloba Nutraceutical Products by Chromatographic Techniques Coupled to Mass Spectrometry

Open Access Estimation of deltamethrin residues in cow's and goat's environment and trials to reduce its level in milk

Aim:

The present study was aimed to estimate deltamethrin residues in cow’s and goat’s environment over a certain period of time post-application, to identify the role of both feed and water as a source of pesticides, and to conduct some trials to reduce their levels in milk.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 80 water and feed samples (40 of each) and 120 milk samples (80 cow’s milk and 40 goat’s milk) were collected. Fresh milk samples were collected directly from the udder as well as from feed and water before application and 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 7^th, 15^th, 21^st, and 35^th days after insecticide application.

Results:

Deltamethrin residues were detected after its application in both water and feed at different levels up to the first 3 days and in all cow’s and goat’s milk samples at 35^th day. The highest levels were detected in milk samples at the 2^nd day then at the 7^th day followed at the 15^th day after application as such levels were above the maximum residual limits. By microwaving the polluted cow’s milk samples, deltamethrin residues were not detected without influencing the chemical composition of the milk. However, on freezing of milk, the deltamethrin residues reached 12.6±3.24 μg/L in association with a significant decline in the concentration of fat.

Conclusion:

Microwaving of milk is an effective method to decline deltamethrin concentration in milk.

Degradation Processes of Pesticides Used in Potato Cultivations

Potato is one of the most important crops, after maize, rice and wheat. Its global production is about 300 million tons per year and is constantly increasing. It grows in temperate climate and is used as a source of starch, food, and in breeding industry.Potato cultivation requires application of numerous agro-technical products, including pesticides, since it can be affected by insects, weeds, fungi, and viruses. In the European Union the most frequently used pesticides in potato cultivations check are: thiamethoxam, lambda-cyhalothrin and deltamethrin (insecticides), rimsulfuron (herbicide) and metalaxyl (fungicide).Application of pesticides improves crop efficiency, however, as pesticides are not totally selective, it affects also non-target organisms. Moreover, the agrochemicals may accumulate in crops and, as a consequence, negatively influence the quality of food products and consumer health. Additional risks of plant protection products are related to their derivatives, that are created both in the environment (soil, water) and in plant organisms, since many of these compounds may exhibit toxic effects.This article is devoted to the degradation processes of pesticides used in potato crop protection. Attention is also paid to the toxicity of both parent compounds and their degradation products for living organisms, including humans. Information about the level of pesticide contamination in the environment (water, soil) and accumulation level in edible plants complement the current knowledge about the risks associated with widespread use of thiamethoxam, lambda-cyhalothrin and deltamethrin, rimsulfuron and metalaxyl in potato cultivation.