Simultaneous determination of airborne carbamates in workplace by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Airborne Pesticides-Deep Diving into Sampling and Analysis

The escalating utilization of pesticides has led to pronounced environmental contamination, posing a significant threat to agroecosystems. The extensive and persistent global application of these chemicals has been linked to a spectrum of acute and chronic human health concerns. This review paper focuses on the concentrations of airborne pesticides in both indoor and outdoor environments. The collection of diverse pesticide compounds from the atmosphere is examined, with a particular emphasis on active and passive air sampling techniques. Furthermore, a critical evaluation is conducted on the methodologies employed for the extraction and subsequent quantification of airborne pesticides. This analysis takes into consideration the complexities involved in ensuring accurate measurements, highlighting the advancements and limitations of current practices. By synthesizing these aspects, this review aims to foster a more comprehensive and informed comprehension of the intricate dynamics related to the presence and measurement of airborne pesticides. This, in turn, is poised to significantly contribute to the refinement of environmental monitoring strategies and the augmentation of precise risk assessments.

Newly scheduled carbamate compounds: A synopsis of their properties and development, and considerations for the scientific community

In November 2019, for the first time in the history of the Chemical Weapons Convention, changes were made to Schedule 1 of the Annex on Chemicals. While there is little in the scientific literature regarding any of these newly scheduled chemicals, the carbamates, specifically, prove to be substantially different, both in terms of their chemical composition and their toxicological effects, from all the other scheduled nerve agents and have yet to be fully reported on in the literature. Herein, we present a literature review of the available information on carbamates included in Schedule 1, as well as analogous other carbamates, and provide a summary of their utility and function as cholinesterase inhibitors in general and their toxicities. Though there is a paucity of studies in the literature related to the detection of these newly scheduled quaternary and bisquaternary carbamates and/or their biomarkers, information available on carbamate pesticides may be a solid starting point to further postulate amenable detection methodologies. Lastly, we note some implications of these newly scheduled carbamates for the nonproliferation and disarmament community.

Fast Determination of Carbamates in Environmental Water Based on Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymers as Adsorbent

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) were prepared with isoprocarb as template molecule and applied to extraction of carbamates pesticides in different water samples. This method based on magnetic solid-phase extraction (SPE) avoided the time-consuming column-passing process of loading large volume samples in conventional SPE. In the study, only 0.1 g MMIPs could be used to obtain satisfactory recoveries, due to the high-surface area and excellent adsorption capacity of these nano-magnetic adsorbents. Owing to the excellent selectivity of MMIPs, in high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the matrix effects of this technique were obviously lower than the conventional SPE method. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limits of carbamates were in the range of 2.7-11.7 ng L-1. The relative standard deviations of intra-day and inter-day were 2.5-7.4% and 3.6-8.4%, respectively. At all the spiked level, the recoveries of four analyzed carbamates in environmental water samples were in the range of 74.2-94.2%. The significant positive results were achieved in the proposed method for the determination of four carbamates in water samples from different lakes and rivers. In the three samples we tested, the carbaryl was found in the lake water obtained from Yitong River, and the content was 2.4 ng L-1.

Fluorescence-Based Sensing of Pesticides Using Supramolecular Chemistry

The detection of pesticides in real-world environments is a high priority for a broad range of applications, including in areas of public health, environmental remediation, and agricultural sustainability. While many methods for pesticide detection currently exist, the use of supramolecular fluorescence-based methods has significant practical advantages. Herein, we will review the use of fluorescence-based pesticide detection methods, with a particular focus on supramolecular chemistry-based methods. Illustrative examples that show how such methods have achieved success in real-world environments are also included, as are areas highlighted for future research and development.

Optical sensor film for metribuzin pesticide detection

We present a new ratiometric and colorimetric optical sensor film for detection one of the most prevalent pesticide metribuzin. The detection proceeds within the low concentration range between 0 and 1.5 μM. The optical film is based on (a) near infrared (NIR) dye 2-[2-[2-Chloro-3-[2-[1,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1-(4-sulfobutyl)-2H-indol-2-ylidene]-ethylidene]-1-cyclopen-ten-1-yl]-eth-enyl]-3,3-di-methyl-1-(4-sulfobutyl)-3H-indolium hydroxide and (b) upconverting nanoparticles UCNPs of the NaYF₄:Yb,Er type (diameter ~40-100 nm) that can be emitted a dual (green and red) emission under 980 nm laser diode excitation. Commercially available polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was utilized as a homogeneous matrix for immobilizing NIR dye and UCNPs. The color of the NIR dye in the PVC matrix is based on the concentration of the metribuzin. When the sensor film is exposed to metribuzin the color changes from green to blue with a significant blue shift in the absorption peak (656 nm) of the NIR dye. Furthermore, the quenching of the red emission (659 nm) of the UCNPs is proceeded due to an inner filter effect. Thus, increasing the metribuzin concentration causes the red emission of UCNPs to be reduced. Conversely, the green emission (545 nm) of the UCNPs persists uninfluenced by metribuzin and can act as a reference signal. This optical sensor film provides great sensitivity based on their unique luminescence properties of UCNPs and recognition abilities within a very low detection limit for the metribuzin LOD 6.8 × 10^-8 M with a linear range of 0.23 to 1.5 μM and a relative standard deviation RSD_r (1%, n = 3). The novel optical sensor was applied to the detection of metribuzin in real water samples (surface and ground waters). The sensor film exhibits great selectivity in presence of different types of ions and pesticide molecules. But, atrazine pesticide interferes the analytical signal of the sensor film due to the presence of reactive amino groups in its structure. Memorably, we report the first optical chemical sensor film based on polymer film for metribuzin detection.

Development of an immunoassay for the detection of carbaryl in cereals based on a camelid variable heavy-chain antibody domain

BACKGROUND

The variable domain of camelid heavy-chain antibodies (VHH) is increasingly being adapted to detect small molecules in various matrices. The insecticide carbaryl is widely used in agriculture while its residues have posed a threat to food safety and human health.

RESULTS

VHHs specific for carbaryl were generated from an alpaca immunized with the hapten CBR1 coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the VHH C1 and the coating antigen CBR2-BSA was developed for the detection of carbaryl in cereals. This assay, using an optimized assay buffer (pH 6.5) containing 10% methanol and 0.8% NaCl, has a half-maximum signal inhibition concentration of 5.4 ng mL^-1 and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.3 ng mL^-1 for carbaryl, and shows low cross reactivity (≤0.8%) with other tested carbamates. The LOD of carbaryl using the VHH-based ELISA was 36 ng g^-1 in rice and maize and 72 ng g^-1 in wheat. Recoveries of carbaryl in spiked rice, maize and wheat samples were in the range of 81-106%, 96-106% and 83-113%, respectively. Relative standard deviations of repeatability and intra-laboratory reproducibility were in the range of 0.8-9.2% and 2.9-9.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The VHH-based ELISA was highly effective in detecting carbaryl in cereal samples after simple sample extraction and dilution. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

Boron-doped diamond as a sensor for the classification of carbamate pesticides using a chemometric approach

Electrochemical sensor for the classification of carbamate pesticides.

Electrochemical sensor based on a bilayer of PPY–MWCNTs–BiCoPc composite and molecularly imprinted PoAP for sensitive recognition and determination of metolcarb

A molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor for metolcarb detection was constructed by electropolymerizing a poly-o-aminophenol membrane after the modification of a composite that consisted of polypyrrole MWNTs and binuclear phthalocyanine cobalt(ii) sulfonate on a GCE surface.

Dispersive nano solid material-ultrasound assisted microextraction as a novel method for extraction and determination of bendiocarb and promecarb: response surface methodology

A new extraction method, based on Dispersive Nano-Solid material-Ultrasound Assisted Micro-Extraction (DNSUAME), was used for the preconcentration of the bendiocarb and promecarb pesticides in the water samples prior to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The properties of NiZnS nanomaterial loaded on activated carbon (NiZnS-AC) are characterized by FT-IR, TEM, and BET. This novel nanomaterial showed great adsorptive ability towards the bendiocarb and promecarb pesticides. The effective variables such as the amount of adsorbent (mg: NiZnS-AC), the pH and ionic strength of sample solution, the vortex and ultrasonic time (min), the ultrasonic temperature (°C), and desorption volume (mL) are investigated by screening 2(7-4) experiments of Plackett-Burman (PB) design. The important variables optimized by using a central composite design (CCD) were combined by a desirability function (DF). At optimum conditions, the method has linear response over 0.0033-10 µg mL(-1) with detection limit between 0.0010 and 0.0015 µg mL(-1) with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 5.5% (n=3). The method has been successfully applied for the determination of the bendiocarb and promecarb pesticides in the water samples.

A novel luminescent terbium-3-carboxycoumarin probe for time-resolved fluorescence sensing of pesticides methomyl, aldicarb and prometryne

The luminescence arising from lanthanide cations offers several advantages over organic fluorescent molecules: sharp, distinctive emission bands allow for easy resolution between multiple lanthanide signals; long emission lifetimes (μs-ms) make them excellent candidates for time-resolved measurements; and high resistance to photo bleaching allow for long or repeated experiments. A time-resolved (gated) luminescence-based method for determination of pesticides methomyl, aldicarb and prometryne in microtiterplate format using the long-lived terbium-3-carboxycoumarin in 1:3 metal:ligand ratio has been developed. The limit of detection is 1.20×10(6), 5.19×10(5) and 2.74×10(6)ng L(-1) for methomyl, prometryne and aldicarb, respectively. The quantum yield (QY=0.08) of Tb(III)-3-carboxycoumarin was determined using 3-(2-benzothiazolyl)-7-diethylamino-coumarin (coumarin 6). Stern-volmer studies at different temperatures indicate that collisional quenching dominates for methomyl, aldicarb and prometryne. Binding constants were determined at 303, 308 and 313 K by using Lineweaver-Burk equation. A thermodynamic analysis showed that the reaction is spontaneous with negative ΔG. Effect of some relevant interferents on the detection of pesticides has been investigated.

A novel spectrofluorometric method for the determination of methiocarb using an amphiphilic p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene

The characteristics of host-guest complexation between tetrabutyl ether derivatives of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (SC4Bu) and methiocarb [3,5-dimethyl-4-(methylthio) phenyl methylcarbamate] were investigated by fluorescence spectrometry. Upon addition of methiocarb, the fluorescence intensity of SC4Bu was quenched regularly and a slight red shift was observed for the maximum emission peak. These results indicated that the SC4Bu-methiocarb complex was formed a 1:1 mole ratio. An association constant of 1.67×10(4) L mol(-1) was calculated by applying a deduced equation. The interaction mechanism of the inclusion complex was discussed. Based on the results, a novel spectrofluorimetric method was described for the determination of methiocarb with a detection limit at 0.05 μg mL(-1). This method is very simple and shows high sensitivity and selectivity. Moreover, the proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of methiocarb in water samples.

Development of enzyme linked immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of carbaryl and metolcarb in different agricultural products

A direct competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in multi-enzyme tracers format for the simultaneous analysis of carbaryl and metolcarb in agricultural products is described in this study. The concentrations of coating antibodies and enzyme tracer were studied. Under the optimum conditions, the limits of detection of carbaryl and metolcarb were 0.15 microg L(-1) and 1.2 microg L(-1), respectively. Determination of carbaryl and metolcarb in fruit juices and vegetables was accomplished by simple, rapid and efficient extraction methods. Recoveries of spiked samples were great than 70%. Validation of the immunosorbent assay was conducted by comparison of results from high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The correlations between the data obtained using multi-enzyme tracers enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and high performance liquid chromatography were good. Results indicated that the new strategy for developing immunoassay for simultaneous quantitative determination of carbaryl and metolcarb residues was suitable in this study.

Flow-injection determination of carbaryl and carbofuran based on KMnO4–Na2SO3 chemiluminescence detection

A flow-injection method is described for the determination of carbaryl and carbofuran. It was found that a strong chemiluminescence (CL) signal was generated when these pesticides were mixed with Na(2)SO(3) and KMnO(4) in acidic medium. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the enhanced CL intensity was linear, with the concentrations in the range 0.1-2.0 microg/mL (r(2) = 0.9996 and 0.9993, n = 6) with relative standard deviation (n = 4) in the range 1.0-2.3%. The limits of detection (3sigma blank) were 10 and 50 ng/mL, respectively, with a sample throughput of 180/h. The proposed method was applied to determine carbaryl and carbofuran in freshwaters with satisfactory results. Most metal and non-metal ions and some pesticides, such as carbophenothion and aldicarb, do not interfere with the determination. Dinoseb, diazinon and malathion calibration graphs (in the range 0.2-2.0 microg/mL, r(2) = 0.9966-0.9988, n = 6) were also established with relative standard deviations (n = 4) in the range 1.2-2.0% with limits of detection (3sigma blank) in the range 100-300 ng/mL.

Pesticides analysis by liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis

Nowadays, a wide range of pesticides are used in agricultural production, and their monitoring in samples of environmental and alimentary interest is of extreme importance to ensure, among others, the safety of consumption of foods. The aim of this work is to provide updated information about the major developments in CE and HPLC in pesticide analysis, covering relevant publications between 2004 and early 2006. The use of different sample pretreatment steps to provide a suitable extraction of these compounds from the different matrices as well as to increase the sensitivity of the determination is also discussed.

Determination of the pesticide carbaryl and its photodegradation kinetics in natural waters by flow injection–direct chemiluminescence detection

A novel flow injection-chemiluminescence method for the quantitative assay of the pesticide carbaryl in environmental samples is presented. The determination is based on the CL-emission generated by the oxidation of the pesticide with potassium permanganate. The linear response of CL-emission versus concentration is valid in the range from 0.01 to 1.0 microg mL(-1), yielding detection limits (S/N=3) as low as 14.8 ng mL(-1). The method shows high reproducibility (R.S.D.=2.29%, n=10) and is subject to minor interferences from various organic and inorganic species likely to be found in natural waters. The suggested method is rapid and capable to be fully automated, thus resulting to a method of satisfactory sampling throughput, with low detection limits and efficient precision for routine analysis. The use of this technique to a new application of direct chemiluminescence involving the determination of carbaryl photodegradation in natural waters was successfully accomplished.

Determination of carbofuran by flow-injection with chemiluminescent detection

It was found that carbofuran enhances the chemiluminescence reaction between sodium sulphite and Ce(4+) in sulphuric acid, and this formed the basis of a flow-injection system with chemiluminescence detection for determination of carbofuran. Under optimum conditions, the enhanced chemiluminescence intensity was linear, with the concentration of carbofuran in the range 8 x 10(-8)-1.0 x 10(-5) g[sol ]mL, with a detection limit of 2.84 x 10(-8) g[sol ]mL (3 s[sol ]k). The proposed method was applied to the analysis of carbofuran in cabbage, with satisfactory results.