Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Pretilachlor Adsorption on Organobentonites for Controlled Release

Low-cost materials as vehicles for pesticides in aquatic media: a review of the current status of different biosorbents employed, optimization by RSM approach

Water contamination by pesticides is increasing dramatically due to population growth and the extensive use of pesticides in agriculture, leading to grave environmental and health concerns. Thus, efficient processes and the design and development of effective treatment technologies are required due to the enormous demand for fresh water. The adsorption approach has been widely used to remove organic contaminants such as pesticides because of its performance, less expense, high selectivity, and simplicity of operation compared to other treatment technologies. Among alternative adsorbents, biomaterials abundantly available for pesticide sorption from water resources have attracted the attention of researchers worldwide. The main objective of this review article is to (i) present studies on a wide range of raw or chemically modified biomaterials potentially effective in removing pesticides from aqueous media; (ii) indicating the effectiveness of biosorbents as green and low-cost materials for removing pesticides from wastewater; and (iii) furthermore, report the application of response surface methodology (RSM) for modeling and optimizing adsorption.

Removal of bromophenol blue from polluted water using a novel azo-functionalized magnetic nano-adsorbent

Water pollution from organic dyes poses a serious danger to the environment. In the present work, we report a novel adsorbent (ADFS) based on azo-dye-functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for the removal of the anionic dye bromophenol blue (BPB) from contaminated water. The fabricated SPIONs, azo dye, and ADFS adsorbent were characterized with FTIR and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, 1HNMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, SEM imaging, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurements, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. DLS measurements showed a particle size of 46.1 and 176.5 nm for the SPIONs and the ADFS, respectively. The adsorbent exhibited an adsorption capacity of 7.43 mg g-1 and followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics model (r2 = 0.9981). The ADFS could efficiently remove BPB from water after stirring for 120 minutes at room temperature and pH 2. The adsorption process was proved to occur via physisorption, as revealed by the Freundlich isotherm (n = 1.82 and KF = 11.5). Thermodynamic studies implied that the adsorption is spontaneous (-8.03 ≤ ΔG ≤ -0.58 kJ mol-1) and enthalpy-driven might take place via van der Waals interactions and/or hydrogen bonding (ΔH = -82.19 kJ mol-1 and ΔS = -0.24 kJ mol-1 K-1).

Ultimate fate, transformation, and toxicological consequences of herbicide pretilachlor to biotic components and associated environment: An overview

Herbicides are applied for effective weed management in order to increase the crop yield. In recent decades, the overuse of these chemicals has posed adverse effects on different biotic components of the environment. Pretilachlor has been widely used during last few decades for weed management in paddy crop. Its excessive use may prove fatal for environment, various organisms, and nontarget plants. Thus, it is pertinent to know the extent to which herbicide residues remain in environment. The potential mobility and the release rate of herbicide in the soil are important factors governing ecotoxicological impact and degradation rate. Therefore, several techniques are being investigated for its effective removal from the contaminated sites. Furthermore, efforts have also been made to study the degradation of pretilachlor by various physicochemical processes, resulting into the formation of different types of metabolites. This review summarizes the available information on environmental fate, various degradation processes, microbial biotransformation, metabolites formed, ecotoxicological effects, techniques for detection in environmental samples, effect of safener, and various control release formulations for sustained release of pretilachlor in applied fields. The information so obtained will be very advantageous in deciding the future policies for safe and judicious use of the herbicide by maintaining health and environmental sustainability.

A Sensitive and Specific Monoclonal Antibody Based Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Rapid Detection of Pretilachlor in Grains and the Environment

Pretilachlor is a chloroacetamide herbicide mainly used for weed and broadleaf weed control in rice, that is widely utilized in China. In order to detect the residue of pretilachlor in the environment and food, a highly sensitive and specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) against pretilachlor was prepared, and the half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the monoclonal antibody was validated to be 31.47 ± 2.35 μg/L. An indirect competitive ELISA (ic-ELISA) based on the antibody with a linear range of 6.25~100 μg/L was developed. The specificity of the antibody was explained by computer simulations and experimental validation. The mAb exhibited negligible cross-reactivity towards alachlor, acetochlor, propisochlor, butachlor, and metalaxyl, and the limits of detection (LOD) for pretilachlor in lake, rice, and soil samples were 4.83~5.23 μg/L. The recoveries of all samples were 78.3~91.3%. The reliability of the ic-ELISA method for residue detection of pretilachlor in the environment and grains was confirmed using high performance liquid chromatography.

Soil parameters including organic matter affecting pretilachlor leaching in different paddy fields

Finding a method, which may indicate the contribution of soil parameters including organic matter, pH and clay to pretilachlor leaching (persistence) in the soil, with the use of a suitable indicator, which indicates pretilachlor presence in the soil is of significance. Accordingly, using undisturbed soil columns, four paddy fields (A, B, C, D) in the suburbs of Babol city (Mazandaran province, northern Iran) were sampled before the preparation and irrigation of the fields in April 2021. Soil samples were transferred into PVC pipes (divided into 2 cm layers) measuring 12 (height) × 10 cm (diameter), and were injected with pretilachlor at the recommended (1.75 L/ha) and high doses (3.5 L/ha). The surface layers of all fields had a higher concentration of pretilachlor and organic matter with the highest contribution to pretilachlor persistence followed by clay and pH. In the 0-4 cm depth, herbicide concertation was the lowest in field A (139 mg/kg) and the highest in field C (161 mg/kg). The corresponding values for organic matter were equal to 1.88 and 5.68%, respectively. The bioassay of rice (the indicator plant), with a significant correlation with chemical analysis results, indicated field A and field C had the pretilachlor infiltration of 6 and 4 cm, respectively. Accordingly, rice is a suitable plant indicator for measuring the presence of pretilachlor as examining its shoot length is a good criterion for bioassay. Additionally, changes in the amount of organic matter in different soil layers can be used to predict the leaching level of pretilachlor.

Long-Chain Molecules with Agro-Bioactivities and Their Applications

Long-chain molecules play a vital role in agricultural production and find extensive use as fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, and plant growth regulators. This review article specifically addresses the agricultural biological activities and applications of long-chain molecules. The utilization of long-chain molecules in the development of pesticides is an appealing avenue for designing novel pesticide compounds. By offering valuable insights, this article serves as a useful reference for the design of new long-chain molecules for pesticide applications.

Pectin functionalized metal-organic frameworks as dual-stimuli-responsive carriers to improve the pesticide targeting and reduce environmental risks

Encapsulation of active ingredients into intelligent response controlled release carriers has been recognized as a promising approach to enhance the utilization efficiency and reduce the environmental risks of pesticides. In this work, an intelligent redox and pectinase dual stimuli-responsive pesticide delivery system was constructed by bonding pectin with metal-organic frameworks (FeMOF nanoparticles) which were loaded with pyraclostrobin (PYR@FeMOF-pectin nanoparticles). The successful fabrication of PYR@FeMOF-pectin nanoparticles was proved by a series of physicochemical characterizations. The results indicated that the loading capacity of PYR@FeMOF-pectin nanoparticles for pyraclostrobin was approximately 20.6%. The pectin covered on the surface of PYR@FeMOF nanoparticles could protect pyraclostrobin from photolysis and improve their spreadability on rice blades effectively. Different biological stimuli associated with Magnaporthe oryzae could trigger the release of pyraclostrobin from the pesticide-loaded core-shell nanoparticles, resulting in the death of pathogens. The bioactivity survey determined that PYR@FeMOF-pectin nanoparticles had a superior fungicidal activity and a longer duration against Magnaporthe oryzae than pyraclostrobin suspension concentrate. In addition, the FeMOF-pectin nanocarriers showed no obvious phytotoxicity and could enhance the shoot length and root length of rice plants. More importantly, PYR@FeMOF-pectin nanoparticles had an 8-fold reduction in acute toxicity to zebrafish than that of pyraclostrobin suspension concentrate. Therefore, the dual-responsive FeMOF-pectin nanocarriers have great potential for realizing site-specific pesticide delivery and promoting plant growth.

Contributions of partition and adsorption to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons sorption by fractionated soil at different particle sizes

Partition and adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are critical mechanisms determining their fate at the solid-liquid interface. The complexity of soil composition makes it difficult to distinguish between partition and adsorption, and bates the accuracy of the research results. This study found that the composition and structure of the soil particles (SAs) of varying particle sizes were significantly different. Partition contributed significantly to phenanthrene (Phe) sorption in SAs over 0.002 mm. However, PAHs had the highest sorption coefficient (K_d) in SA less than 0.002 mm (SA-3), and the lower aqueous phase equilibrium concentration of Phe, the greater the adsorption effect. According to morphology and structural analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), interactions of micropores, soil organic matter (SOM) and minerals enhanced the sorption of PAHs. Additionally, thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry (TG-MS) results proved that SOM could inhibit the release of PAHs adsorbed in SAs during heating process. We observed that the Log Koc of PAHs was the most important factor in determining the K_d in SAs applying principal component analyses (PCA), and they have significant linear relationships (R² = 0.79-0.93). These findings provide new understandings on interface reactivity of PAHs sorption to soils and the development of interface model.

Azo-functionalized superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles: an efficient adsorbent for the removal of bromocresol green from contaminated water

Water contamination is regarded as one of the world's worst tragedies owing to the continual depletion of water resources suitable for drinking and agriculture. Researchers have recently been interested in developing novel and more effective adsorbents for wastewater purification. We report herein a magnetic adsorbent nanomaterial for the removal of the anionic dye bromocresol green (BCG) from wastewater. The adsorbent is based on superparamagnetic iron oxide (cubic Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (SPIONs) coated with a high-molecular-weight azo dye synthesized via diazo coupling of vitamin B1 with a trisubstituted benzene derivative. The proposed adsorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, FTIR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, dynamic light scattering, vibrating sample magnetometry, thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction crystallography. At room temperature and pH 2.0, the synthesized adsorbent showed an average particle size of 65.9 ± 8.0 nm, a high magnetization saturation (65.58 emu g⁻¹), a high equilibrium adsorption capacity (36.91 mg g⁻¹). Adsorption of BCG was found to take place via a physisorption mechanism and followed a pseudo-second-order rate kinetics. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption process is enthalpy driven by hydrogen bonding and/or van der Waals interactions. After treating water samples with the suggested adsorbent, it can be easily removed from water using a strong external magnetic field.

An efficient adsorbent based on azo-dye-coated superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles was synthesized for the removal of the anionic dye, bromocresol green, from wastewater.

Polyurea microencapsulate suspension: An efficient carrier for enhanced herbicidal activity of pretilachlor and reducing its side effects

In this study, Pretilachlor polyurea microencapsulate suspension (PMS) with effective controlled release function was carefully prepared. Under the optimal conditions, wall material PM-200 dosage 4%, emulsifier T-60 dosage 4% with S-20 as solvent, the prepared PMS was demonstrated to have encapsulation efficiency approaching to 95.27 ± 0.57 % and high suspension rates of 97.33 ± 0.49 %. Afterwards, PMS was proved to possess average release rate reached to 85.56 %, 55.46 % and 15.85 % respectively in acidic, basic and natural medium. Subsequently, the herbicidal activity of PMS on barnyard grass and the growth safety of rice were evaluated. PMS showed enhanced herbicidal activity against barnyard grass and had lower toxicity to rice growth compared with technical pretilachlor at dose 270-540 g (a.i.)/hm². In addition, the use safety of PMS was validated to be comparable to that of commercially available pretilachlor emulsifiable concentrate containing additive safener at dose 270-540 g (a.i.)/hm². Moreover, inhibitory effect of PMS on rice growth was demonstrated to completely eliminated by cooperatively treatment with fenclorim. It was concluded that PMS had enhanced herbicidal activity and application safety, meeting the requirements of minimizing adverse effects of the herbicide on the environment, and enjoying a great application potential in agriculture.

Applications of Chemically Modified Clay Minerals and Clays to Water Purification and Slow Release Formulations of Herbicides

This review deals with modification of montmorillonite and other clay-minerals and clays by interacting them with organic cations, for producing slow release formulations of herbicides, and efficient removal of pollutants from water by filtration. Elaboration is on incorporating initially the organic cations in micelles and liposomes, then producing complexes denoted micelle- or liposome-clay nano-particles. The material characteristics (XRD, Freeze-fracture electron microscopy, adsorption) of the micelle– or liposome–clay complexes are different from those of a complex of the same composition (organo-clay), which is formed by interaction of monomers of the surfactant with the clay-mineral, or clay. The resulting complexes have a large surface area per weight; they include large hydrophobic parts and (in many cases) have excess of a positive charge. The organo-clays formed by preadsorbing organic cations with long alkyl chains were also addressed for adsorption and slow release of herbicides. Another examined approach includes “adsorptive” clays modified by small quaternary cations, in which the adsorbed organic cation may open the clay layers, and consequently yield a high exposure of the siloxane surface for adsorption of organic compounds. Small scale and field experiments demonstrated that slow release formulations of herbicides prepared by the new complexes enabled reduced contamination of ground water due to leaching, and exhibited enhanced herbicidal activity. Pollutants removed efficiently from water by the new complexes include (i) hydrophobic and anionic organic molecules, such as herbicides, dissolved organic matter; pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics and non-steroidal drugs; (ii) inorganic anions, e.g., perchlorate and (iii) microorganisms, such as bacteria, including cyanobacteria (and their toxins). Model calculations of adsorption and kinetics of filtration, and estimation of capacities accompany the survey of results and their discussion.

Pretilachlor Releasable Polyurea Microcapsules Suspension Optimization and Its Paddy Field Weeding Investigation

In this study, pretilachlor was encapsulated into polyurea microcapsules prepared by water-initiated polymerization of polyaryl polymethylene isocyanate and eventually made into pretilachlor microcapsules suspension (PMS). We used response surface methodology (RSM) combined with the Box–Behnken design (BBD) model to optimize the formulation of PMS. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) of PMS was investigated with respect to three independent variables including wall material dosage (X₁), emulsifier dosage (X₂), and polymerization stirring speed (X₃). The results showed that the regression equation model had a satisfactory accuracy in predicting the EE of PMS. To achieve an optimal condition for PMS preparation, the dose of wall material was set to 5%, the dose of emulsifier was set to 3.5% and the polymerization stirring speed was set to 200 rpm. The EE of PMS was up to 95.68% under the optimized condition, and the spherical shape with smooth surface morphology was observed. PMS was also proven to have delayed release capability and in vivo herbicidal activity against barnyard grass [Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) Beauv.] with an LC₅₀ value of 274 mg/L. Furthermore, PMS had efficient weed management compared to commercially available 30% pretilachlor emulsifier (PE), showing a promising potential application for weeding paddy fields.