Simultaneous multi-residue determination of twenty one veterinary drugs in poultry litter by modeling three-way liquid chromatography with fluorescence and absorption detection data

Evaluating antibiotic occurrence, degradation, and environmental risks in poultry litter within Argentina's agricultural hub

This study explores the relationship between poultry farming's antibiotic administration practices and residual antibiotic levels in the litter before its application onto agricultural soils. Twenty-three antibiotics were performed across 19 Argentinean farms representing diverse antibiotic management practices. Analysis revealed up to 20 antibiotics from eight chemical classes in poultry litter samples, with tylosin, enrofloxacin, and salinomycin being the most relevant drugs. Farms with restricted antibiotic use in feed exhibited lower residual concentrations. A self-heating treatment was tested to reduce litter antibiotic levels. Although a 60 % reduction of antibiotics was found after treatment, prevalent compounds persisted at residual levels. Regulatory measures and comprehensive litter treatments pre-application are crucial to mitigate environmental risks. This is the first study that provides insight on the occurrence of >20 drugs in real poultry production scenarios from Latin America and demonstrates how relatively simple treatments can be readily applied to decrease the associated environmental risks.

Removal of enrofloxacin using Eichhornia crassipes in microcosm wetlands

The global consumption of antibiotics leads to their possible occurrence in the environment. In this context, nature-based solutions (NBS) can be used to sustainably manage and restore natural and modified ecosystems. In this work, we studied the efficiency of the NBS free-water surface wetlands (FWSWs) using Eichhornia crassipes in microcosm for enrofloxacin removal. We also explored the behavior of enrofloxacin in the system, its accumulation and distribution in plant tissues, the detoxification mechanisms, and the possible effects on plant growth. Enrofloxacin was initially taken up by E. crassipes (first 100 h). Notably, it accumulated in the sediment at the end of the experimental time. Removal rates above 94% were obtained in systems with sediment and sediment + E. crassipes. In addition, enrofloxacin was found in leaves, petioles, and roots (8.8-23.6 µg, 11-78.3 µg, and 10.2-70.7 µg, respectively). Furthermore, enrofloxacin, the main degradation product (ciprofloxacin), and other degradation products were quantified in the tissues and chlorosis was observed on days 5 and 9. Finally, the degradation products of enrofloxacin were analyzed, and four possible metabolic pathways of enrofloxacin in E. crassipes were described.

Use of local waste for biochar production: Influence of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature on chromium removal from aqueous solutions

Sediment enrichment with biochar, a high-carbon material produced by the pyrolysis of biomass, is a promising remediation strategy for metal pollution. The metal immobilization capacity of biochar can be explained by its porous structure, surface functional groups, pH greater than 7, and cation exchange capacity. However, the effectiveness in reducing metal bioavailability depends on the physicochemical characteristics of the biochar, which are strongly associated with the process conditions and feedstock. The aims of this study were to analyze the effect of pyrolysis temperature on the properties of biochars derived from different locally available biomass materials, biochar potential to adsorb Cr, and biochar phytotoxicity in seed germination. Poultry litter (PL), maize straw, the macrophyte Juncus imbricatus, and phytoremediation wastes from the macrophyte previously exposed to Cr were pyrolyzed into biochar at 300 °C and 600 °C. The properties and capacity of biochar to remove Cr from the aqueous phase were determined. Finally, a germination assay was performed to evaluate biochar phytotoxicity. Biochar yield decreased with increasing pyrolysis temperature, whereas ash content and pH increased. Biochar C content and total surface area increased with temperature. Biochar Cr removal capacity improved under the highest temperature, reaching a maximum sorption value of 13.7 mg g^-1 Cr at 300 °C in PL biochar and of 42.6 mg g^-1 Cr at 600 °C in J. imbricatus biochar. Despite the comparatively high metal content in the biochar, the germination indices of all biochars produced at 600 °C were higher than 80%, suggesting no phytotoxicity. Considering the metal sorption capacity and the phytotoxicity, biochars produced from J. imbricatus, PL, and phytoremediation residues at 600 °C were suitable for use in the removal of Cr from water. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:717-725. © 2022 SETAC.

Occurrence of veterinary antibiotics in poultry manure from two farms in Ibadan, Nigeria: Ecotoxicological implications in manure-amended soil

Veterinary antibiotics are commonly used in poultry farming for preventing diseases and promoting growth. As a result of their incomplete metabolism in poultry birds, veterinary antibiotics are usually excreted and are frequently detected in poultry manures. Veterinary antibiotics in poultry manure applied onto soil may pose serious ecological effect to the terrestrial and aquatic environment. In the present work, the occurrence of three veterinary antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole, sulfadimidine and trimethoprim), categorized as veterinary antimicrobial agents of critical importance, was investigated in poultry manure from two poultry farms in Nigeria. The potential ecotoxicological risk of target veterinary antibiotics in poultry manure-amended soil was also assessed. A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) extraction was adopted for the extraction of target veterinary antibiotics and instrumental analysis was achieved by high performance liquid chromatography. Sulfamethoxazole, sulfadimidine and trimethoprim were quantified in poultry manures from the poultry farms up to 12.7 μg g-1, 16.1 μg g-1 and 33.8 μg g-1, respectively. Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in poultry manure-amended soil presented low risk to Eisenia fetida (earthworm). The ecological effect of sulfamethoxazole for the root length of rice was high in Farm B and medium in Farm A. Sulfamethoxazole presented high risk to aquatic organisms while sulfadimidine and trimethoprim posed medium risk and low risk, respectively to aquatic organisms. The results indicated that residual veterinary antibiotics in poultry manures could have adverse effects on crops after application to agricultural soil. There is a need for effective enlightenment programs for poultry farmers in Nigeria to bring about awareness on the environmental and toxicological impact of the excessive and uncontrolled use of veterinary antibiotics in poultry farming and the adverse ecological implications of poultry manure application on farmlands.

Treatment technologies to mitigate the harmful effects of recalcitrant fluoroquinolone antibiotics on the environ- ment and human health

Antibiotic proliferation in the environment and their persistent nature is an issue of global concern as they induce antibiotic resistance threatening both human health and the ecosystem. Antibiotics have therefore been categorized as emerging pollutants. Fluoroquinolone (FQs) antibiotics are an emerging class of contaminants that are used extensively in human and veterinary medicine. The recalcitrant nature of fluoroquinolones has led to their presence in wastewater, effluents and water bodies. Even at a low concentration, FQs can stimulate antibacterial resistance. The main sources of FQ contamination include waste from pharmaceutical manufacturing industries, hospitals and households that ultimately reaches the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). The conventional WWTPs are unable to completely remove FQs due to their chemical stability. Therefore, the development and implementation of more efficient, economical, convenient treatment and removal technologies are needed to adequately address the issue. This review provides an overview of the technologies available for the removal of fluoroquinolone antibiotics from wastewater including adsorptive removal, advanced oxidation processes, removal using non-carbon based nanomaterials, microbial degradation and enzymatic degradation. Each treatment technology is discussed on its merits and limitations and a comparative view is presented on the choice of an advanced treatment process for future studies and implementation. A discussion on the commercialization potential and eco-friendliness of each technology is also included in the review. The importance of metabolite identification and their residual toxicity determination has been emphasized. The last section of the review provides an overview of the policy interventions and regulatory frameworks that aid in retrofitting antibiotics as a central key focus contaminant and thereby defining the discharge limits for antibiotics and establishing safe manufacturing practices.

Valorization of poultry litter using Acutodesmus obliquus and its integrated application for lipids and fertilizer production

Microalgae are recognized as potential candidates for resource recovery from wastewater and projected for biorefinery models. This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential of poultry litter and municipal wastewater as nutrient and water sources, for the cultivation of Acutodesmus obliquus for lipids production for biodiesel application. The efficacy of lipid extracted biomass (LEA) as fertilizer for mung bean crops was also assessed in microcosm. A. obliquus cultivation in acid pre-treated poultry litter extract (PPLE) showed maximum biomass production of 1.90 g L^-1, which was 74.67% and 12.61% higher than the raw poultry litter extract (RPPE) and BG11 respectively. Higher NO₃-N, NH₃-N, and PO₄-P removal of 79.51%, 81.82%, and 80.52% respectively were observed in PPLE as compared to RPLE treatment. The highest biomass (140.36 mg L^-1 d^-1), lipids (38.49 mg L^-1 d^-1), and carbohydrates (49.55 mg L^-1 d^-1) productivities were observed in the PPLE medium. The application of LEA as a fertilizer for mung bean crops showed improvement in plant growth and soil microbial activity. A maximum increase in organic carbon (59.5%) and dehydrogenase activity (130.8%) was observed in LEA amended soil which was significantly higher than chemical fertilizer (CF) control in 30 days. Whilst plant fresh weight and leaf chlorophyll in the LEA amended soil was comparable to whole algal biomass (WA) and CF control. The strategy developed could be a basis for sustainable biorefinery for the valorization of wastewater for the production of microalgae-derived biofuel and byproducts for agricultural application.

Recent Applications of Mixture Designs in Beverages, Foods, and Pharmaceutical Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Design of Experiments (DoE) is a statistical tool used to plan and optimize experiments and is seen as a quality technology to achieve products excellence. Among the experimental designs (EDs), the mixture designs (MDs) stand out, being widely applied to improve conditions for processing, developing, or formulating novel products. This review aims to provide useful updated information on the capacity and diversity of MDs applications for the industry and scientific community in the areas of food, beverage, and pharmaceutical health. Recent works were selected following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses statement (PRISMA) flow diagram. Data analysis was performed by self-organizing map (SOM) to check and understand which fields of application/countries/continents are using MDs. Overall, the SOM indicated that Brazil presented the largest number of works using MDs. Among the continents, America and Asia showed a predominance in applications with the same amount of work. Comparing the MDs application areas, the analysis indicated that works are prevalent in food and beverage science in the American continent, while in Asia, health science prevails. MDs were more used to develop functional/nutraceutical products and the formulation of drugs for several diseases. However, we briefly describe some promising research fields in that MDs can still be employed.

Determination of residual enrofloxacin in eggs due to long term administration to laying hens. Analysis of the consumer exposure assessment to egg derivatives

The use of the antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENR) in poultry is controversial. A high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to fast-scanning fluorescence detection (HPLC-FSFD) method for the determination of ENR in egg white, egg yolk, and lyophilized samples was developed. In a first analysis, the long-term administration of ENR (100 days) to laying hens was carried out to determine its presence in egg white, yolk, or both. The predominance of ENR was observed in egg white and variations in the weight of egg white and eggshell was evidenced, showing a potential problem in the industry. Eventually, the presence of ENR was confirmed in commercial lyophilized egg white samples in concentration values around 350 µg kg^-1. The consumer exposure assessment was estimated for children, adolescents, and adults. The result displayed that, in an intake of lyophilized egg white with food-producing animals, the %ADI exceeds 100%, showing toxicological levels.

Morphological and histological abnormalities of the neotropical toad, Rhinella arenarum (Anura: Bufonidae) larvae exposed to dexamethasone

Dexamethasone (DEX) is a glucocorticoid highly effective as an anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressant and decongestant drug. In the present study, a preliminary acute toxicity test was assayed in order to determinate DEX median-lethal, lowest-observed-effect and the no-observed-effect concentrations (LC₅₀, LOEC and NOEC, respectively) on the common toad embryos (Rhinella arenarum). Also, morphological and histological abnormalities from five body larval regions, liver melanomacrophages (MM) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity were evaluated in the toad larvae to characterize the chronic sublethal effects of DEX (1-1,000 µg L^-L). Results of the acute test showed that the LC₅₀ of DEX at 96 h of exposure for the toad embryos (GS 18-20) was 10.720 mg L^-g, and the LOEC was 1 µg L^-g. In the chronic assay, the larval development and body length were significantly affected. DEX exposition also induced teratogenic effects. Most frequent external abnormalities observed in DEX-treated larvae included abdominal edema and swollen body, abnormal gut coiling and visceral congestion. Intestinal dysplasia was recurrent in cross-section of all DEX-treated larvae. Neural, conjunctive and renal epithelial cells were also affected. Significant increase in liver MM number and size, and GST activity levels were also registered in DEX treatments with respect to controls. The evaluation of a variety of biomarkers provided clear evidence of toad larvae sensitivity to DEX, and the ecotoxicological risk of these pharmaceuticals, commonly found in different water bodies worldwide on aquatic animals.

Determination of veterinary drug/pesticide residues in livestock and poultry excrement using selective accelerated solvent extraction and magnetic material purification combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method based on selective accelerated solvent extraction and magnetic material purification was established to analyze the residues of various veterinary antibiotics and agricultural fungicides and insecticides in livestock and poultry excrement. Methanol-acetonitrile (4:1, V/V) was used as the extraction solvent and static extraction was conducted three times in 5 min. Preliminary purification was achieved by adding 0.5 g acidic alumina-florisil (1:1, W/W) to the extraction cell while the extraction was conducted. This preliminarily-purified extract was further purified using magnetic material, then analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS. Under optimal conditions, 33 types of antibiotics, including 3 amphenicols, 8 macrolides, 17 sulfonamides and 5 nitroimidazoles, as well as 37 types of pesticides, including 27 insecticides and 10 fungicides, were detected. Recoveries ranged from 60.3% to 110.0% at three spiked concentrations (10 μg/kg, 20 μg/kg and 50 μg/kg), the detection limits ranged from 0.2 to 3.5 μg/kg and the quantitative limits ranged from 0.5 to 11.5 μg/kg. This newly-established method was tested using 30 livestock and poultry excrement samples and confirmed its use for determining veterinary drugs and pesticides in practical samples.

Enhancement of multianalyte mass spectrometry detection through response surface optimization by least squares and artificial neural network modelling

In this work, the use of design of experiments and posterior data modelling by artificial neural network (ANN) and least squares (LS) is presented as a suitable analytical tool for the performance optimization of a tandem mass spectrometric detector coupled to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography for the analysis of seventeen veterinary drugs. Firstly, a central composite design was built considering as factors the cone, capillary, extractor and radio frequency voltages of the mass spectrometer in order to obtain a proper combination to improve the sensitivity of the method. Secondly, a one factor design considering the collision voltage was built to define the adequate voltage for each daughter ion. The response surface methodology (RSM) was then applied, and the prediction capability of ANN and LS were compared. As conclusion, the ANN modelling provided better results than LS, both in terms of the ANOVA and predicted areas results. The accuracy of the model prediction was between 85 and 125%, confirming that the estimates of the model were correct, and endorsing the optimization procedure as a suitable way to gather excellent results. The suitability of the new approach and its implications on the simultaneous analysis of seventeen veterinary drugs by ultra-high liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry detection are discussed.

Occurrence, Distribution, and Ecological Risk of Fluoroquinolones in Rivers and Wastewaters

The use of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of infections in humans and animals has increased in Argentina, and they can be found in large amounts in water bodies. The present study investigated the occurrence and associated ecological risk of 5 fluoroquinolones in rivers and farm wastewaters of San Luis, Santa Fe, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, and Buenos Aires provinces of Argentina by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to fast-scanning fluorescence detection and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry detection. The maximum concentrations of ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, ofloxacin, enoxacin, and difloxacin found in wastewater were 1.14, 11.9, 1.78, 22.1, and 14.2 μg L^-1 , respectively. In the case of river samples, only enrofloxacin was found, at a concentration of 0.97 μg L^-1 . The individual risk of aquatic organisms associated with water pollution due to fluoroquinolones was higher in bacteria, cyanobacteria, algae, plants, and anurans than in crustaceae and fish, with, in some cases, risk quotients >1. The proportion of samples classified as high risk was 87.5% for ofloxacin, 63.5% for enrofloxacin, 57.1% for ciprofloxacin, and 25% for enoxacin. Our results suggest that the prevalence of fluoroquinolones in water could be potentially risky for the aquatic ecosystem, and harmful to biodiversity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2305-2313. © 2019 SETAC.

Biotoxicity of diclofenac on two larval amphibians: Assessment of development, growth, cardiac function and rhythm, behavior and antioxidant system

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac (DCF) threatens the health of aquatic animals and ecosystems. In the present study, different biological endpoints (mortality, development and growth, abnormalities, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity and antioxidant system) were used to characterize the acute and chronic effects of DCF (at concentrations ranging between 125 and 4000 μg L^-1) on two amphibian species from Argentina (Trachycephalus typhonius and Physalaemus albonotatus). Results showed that the larval developmental, growth rates, and body condition of DCF-exposed individuals of both species were significantly reduced. DCF-exposed individuals also showed several morphological abnormalities, including significantly altered body axis, chondrocranium and hyobranchial skeleton, and organ and visceral abnormalities including cardiac hypoplasia, malrotated guts, asymmetrically inverted guts, and cholecystitis. DCF also had a significant effect on the swimming performance of both species: at low concentrations (125 and 250 μg L^-1), swimming distance, velocity and global activity decreased, whereas, at high concentrations (1000 and 2000 μg L^-1), these behavioral responses increased. Regarding cardiac function and rhythm, at DCF concentrations higher than 1000 μg L^-1, the heart frequency and ventricular systole interval of both species were significantly reduced. Regarding the antioxidant system, the activity of acetylcholinesterase indicated that DCF is neurotoxic and thus related to the changes in behavioral performance. The DCF concentrations studied produced a biochemical imbalance between radical oxygen species production and antioxidant systems. The sensitivities to sublethal and chronic DCF exposure in both anuran species were similar, thus indicating the inherent complexity involved in understanding the biotoxic effects of DCF.

Altered development, oxidative stress and DNA damage in Leptodactylus chaquensis (Anura: Leptodactylidae) larvae exposed to poultry litter

Poultry litter (PL), which is usually used as organic fertilizer, is a source of nutrients, metals, veterinary pharmaceuticals and bacterial pathogens, which, through runoff, may end up in the nearest aquatic ecosystems. In this study, Leptodactylus chaquensis at different development stages (eggs, larval stages 28 and 31 here referred to as stages I, II and III respectively) were exposed to PL test sediments as follows: 6.25% (T1), 12.5% (T2); 25% (T3); 50% (T4); 75% (T5); 100% PL (T6) and to dechlorinated water as control. Larval survival, development endpoints (growth rate -GR-, development rate -DR-, abnormalities), antioxidant enzyme activities (Catalase -CAT- and Glutathione-S-Transferase -GST-), and genotoxic effect (DNA damage index by the Comet assay) were analyzed at different times. In stage I, no egg eclosion was observed in treatments T3-T6, and 50% of embryo mortality was recorded after 24h of exposure to T2. In stages II and III, mortality in treatments T3-T6 reached 100% between 24 and 48h. In the three development stages evaluated, the DR and GR were higher in controls than in PL treatments (T1, T2), except for those T1-treated larvae of stage II. Larvae of stage I showed five types of morphological abnormalities, being diamond body shape and lateral displacement of the intestine the most prevalent in T1, whereas larvae of stages II and III presented lower prevalence of abnormalities. In stage I, CAT activity was similar to that of control (p>0.05), whereas it was higher in T1- and T2- treated larvae of stages II and III than controls (p<0.05). In stages I and III, GST activity was similar to that of controls (p>0.05), whereas it was inhibited in T1-treated larvae of stage II (p<0.05). T1- and T2-treated larvae of stages II and III caused higher DNA damage respect to controls (p<0.05), varying from medium to severe damage (comet types II, III and IV). These results showed that PL treatments altered development and growth and induced oxidative stress and DNA damage, resulting ecotoxic for L. chaquensis larvae.

A road map for multi-way calibration models

A road map is proposed for the selection of a multi-way calibration model according to the data properties.