Residue levels and health risk of pesticide residues in bell pepper in Shandong

Dissipation kinetics and the evaluation of dietary risks associated with deltamethrin, ethion, fenazaquin, and fenpropathrin on bell pepper (Solanum annuum L.)

Bell peppers, a globally significant crop, face infestations from various pests. In a study, bell peppers were treated with deltamethrin, ethion, fenazaquin, and fenpropathrin at recommended and double the doses, repeated twice with a 10-day interval. The QuEChERS method underwent validation for linearity, matrix match, accuracy, and precision in bell pepper matrices for residue analysis. The limit of detection for the tested pesticides on bell peppers was 0.01 mg/L, with a quantification limit of 0.05 mg/L. Recovery studies showed a range of 94.80% to 102.80%. Initial deposits of deltamethrin, ethion, fenazaquin, and fenpropathrin on bell peppers at recommended doses were 0.371, 1.237, 0.617, and 0.640 mg/L, respectively, and at double doses were 0.712, 1.945, 1.221, and 1.189 mg/L, respectively. Safe waiting periods of 10, 11, 10, and 8 days were suggested for deltamethrin, ethion, fenazaquin, and fenpropathrin, respectively. The corresponding half-lives for the pesticides were 1.96, 1.79, 2.06, and 1.69 days, all following first-order dissipation kinetics. Dietary risk assessment indicated Hazard Quotients (HQ) below 1 and Theoretical Maximum Daily Intake (TMDI) below Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) and Maximum Permissible Intake (MPI) levels. Therefore, at their recommended doses, the pesticides were deemed safe for bell pepper cultivation.

Fludioxonil induces cardiotoxicity via mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in two cardiomyocyte models

Fludioxonil (Flu) is a phenylpyrrole fungicide and is currently used in over 900 agricultural products globally. Flu possesses endocrine-disrupting chemical-like properties and has been shown to mediate various physiological and pathological changes, such as apoptosis and differentiation, in diverse cell lines. However, the effects of Flu on cardiomyocytes have not been studied so far. The present study investigated the effects of Flu on mitochondria in AC16 human cardiomyocytes and H9c2 rat cardiomyoblasts. Flu decreased cell viability in a water-soluble tetrazolium assay and mediated morphological changes suggestive of apoptosis in AC16 and H9c2 cells. We confirmed that annexin V positive cells were increased by Flu through annexin V/propidium iodide staining. This suggests that the decrease in cell viability due to Flu may be associated with increased apoptotic changes. Flu consistently increased the expression of pro-apoptotic markers such as Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and cleaved-caspase 3. Further, Flu reduced the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in AC16 and H9c2 cells, which is associated with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as observed through JC-1 staining. In addition, Flu augmented the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, which can trigger oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes. Taken together, these results indicate that Flu induces mitochondrial dysregulation in cardiomyocytes via the downregulation of the OCR and MMP and upregulation of the oxidative stress, consequently resulting in the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. This study provides evidence of the risk of Flu toxicity on cardiomyocytes leading to the development of cardiovascular diseases and suggests that the use of Flu in agriculture should be done with caution and awareness of the probable health consequences of exposure to Flu.

A Comprehensive Review of Pesticide Residues in Peppers

Pesticides are chemicals that are used to control pests such as insects, fungi, and weeds. Pesticide residues can remain on crops after application. Peppers are popular and versatile foods that are valued for their flavor, nutrition, and medicinal properties. The consumption of raw or fresh peppers (bell and chili) can have important health benefits due to their high levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Therefore, it is crucial to consider factors such as pesticide use and preparation methods to fully realize these benefits. Ensuring that the levels of pesticide residues in peppers are not harmful to human health requires rigorous and continuous monitoring. Several analytical methods, such as gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), mass spectrometry (MS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), can detect and quantify pesticide residues in peppers. The choice of analytical method depends on the specific pesticide, that is being tested for and the type of sample being analyzed. The sample preparation method usually involves several processes. This includes extraction, which is used to separate the pesticides from the pepper matrix, and cleanup, which removes any interfering substances that could affect the accuracy of the analysis. Regulatory agencies or food safety organizations typically monitor pesticide residues in peppers by stipulating maximum residue limits (MRLs). Herein, we discuss various sample preparation, cleanup, and analytical techniques, as well as the dissipation patterns and application of monitoring strategies for analyzing pesticides in peppers to help safeguard against potential human health risks. From the authors' perspective, several challenges and limitations exist in the analytical approach to monitoring pesticide residues in peppers. These include the complexity of the matrix, the limited sensitivity of some analytical methods, cost and time, a lack of standard methods, and limited sample size. Furthermore, developing new analytical methods, using machine learning and artificial intelligence, promoting sustainable and organic growing practices, improving sample preparation methods, and increasing standardization could assist efficiently in analyzing pesticide residues in peppers.

Dietary risk assessment of selected organophosphorus and pyrethoid pesticide residues in fresh harvested tomatoes at Makambako Town, Njombe region, Tanzania

This study aimed to assess the levels of selected pesticides residues in harvested tomatoes and their associated dietary risks to consumers at Makambako Town in Njombe region, Tanzania. Forty-two fresh tomatoes were sampled among tomato farmers during harvesting season and extraction of analytes was done using QuEChERS method and analysed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer. Residues of chlorpyrifos, profenofos, gamma cyhalothrin and cypermethrin were alternatingly detected in 78.51% of samples. The average concentrations of residues were 0.014, 0.056, 0.003 and 0.2 mg/kg for chlorpyrifos, profenofos, gamma cyhalothrin and cypermethrin and were all below their respective Codex MRLs. The highest concentration was 0.718 mg/kg for cypermethrin, above the Codex MRL of 0.2 mg/kg. The hazard indexes indicate no potential health hazards to the general population due to the lifetime consumption of fresh tomatoes from the study area. Periodic monitoring of residue levels of pesticides in vegetable fruits, including tomatoes, is recommended.

Monitoring of pesticide residues in peppers from Çanakkale (Turkey) public market using QuEChERS method and LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS detection

Residue analyses were conducted for 283 pesticide active ingredients on pepper samples collected from the local markets (between April and November) of Çanakkale province of Turkey by using QuEChERS method and LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS devices. In present pepper samples, 35 different pesticide residues were detected. About 25.0% (27 samples) of present samples had single residue and 43.5% (47 samples) had multiple residues. Of the detected pesticides, acetamiprid, triadimenol, imidacloprid, boscalid, pirimiphos-methyl, tebuconazole, and metalaxyl were the most common ones, while carbendazim/benomyl, fenpropathrin, and thiram were the banned ones. Moreover, 24 of the pesticide residues detected were above the MRL values, 19 pesticides were in the "moderately hazardous (II)," and two pesticides were in the "extremely hazardous (Ib)" class (WHO). Present findings revealed that consumer health may be in danger despite all legal measures by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Turkey, thus greater emphasis should be put on monitoring of pesticide use and residues.