Simple and Rapid Determination of Benzoylphenylurea Pesticides in River Water and Vegetables by LC–ESI-MS

Hexaflumuron insecticide exposure induces behavior alterations, hemato-biochemical disorders, antioxidant-immune dysfunction, and histopathological alterations in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Hexaflumuron (HEX) insecticide is widely used in agriculture practices to fight crop insects. The toxicological effect of HEX on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) was investigated in this study. Two hundred and forty fish (35.50 ± 1.45 g) were divided into six groups in four replicates (40 fish/group; 10 fish/replicate) and were exposed to six distinct HEX concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mg L-1) for 96-h. The 96-h lethal concentration 50 (96-h LC50) of HEX was calculated to be 7.19 mg L-1. The fish exhibited reduced surface and middle swimming, aggressiveness, and tail-spreading behaviors with increasing bottom swimming and resting patterns after HEX exposure. HEX exposure resulted in body bleeding and fin rot. The erythrogram (red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume %) was significantly reduced with increased mean corpuscular volume by HEX exposure. HEX exposure decreased the white blood cells (WBCs) and differential WBC counts. Acute HEX exposure raised 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine level while lowering brain acetylcholine esterase activity. HEX exposure caused hepato-renal dysfunction and increased stress-related parameters (glucose and cortisol). Exposure to HEX reduced the immune responses (lysozyme, nitric oxide, immunoglobulin M, and complement 3). A substantial decrease in the antioxidant variables (reduced glutathione content and catalase) with increasing the malondialdehyde was noted by HEX exposure. Moreover, histopathological changes resulted from HEX exposure in the gills, liver, kidney, and spleen. These results indicate that HEX exposure induced behavioral changes, hepato-renal dysfunction, and immune-antioxidant disruption, indicating a possible physiological disruption in O. niloticus.

Comparative toxicity of Paraquat herbicide and some plant extracts in Lymnaea natalensis snails

Paraquat has been shown to be a highly toxic compound for humans and animals, and many cases of acute poisoning and death have been reported over the past few decades. The present study was undertaken to evaluate comprehensively herbicides (Paraquat) and some plant extracts to biochemical aspects of Lymnaea natalensis snails. It was found that the exposure of L. natalensis to Paraquat and plant extracts led to a significant reduction in the infectivity of Fasciola gigantica miracidia to the snail. The glucose level in hemolymph of exposed snails was elevated, while the glycogen showed a decrease in soft tissues when compared with the control group. In addition, the activity level of some enzymes representing glycolytic enzymes as hexokinase (HK), pyruvate kinase (PK), phosphofructokinase (PFK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI) in snail’s tissues were reduced in response to the treatment. It was concluded that the pollution of the aquatic environment by herbicide would adversely affect the metabolism of the L. natalensis snails. Snails treated with Agave attenuate, Ammi visnaga, and Canna iridiflora plant had less toxic effect compared to snails treated with Paraquat.