Analytical Detection of Sulfonamides and Organophosphorus Insecticide Residues in Fish in Taiwan

Effects of microplastics, pesticides and nano-materials on fish health, oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanism

Microplastics and pesticides are emerging contaminants in the marine biota, which cause many harmful effects on aquatic organisms, especially on fish. Fish is a staple and affordable food source, rich in animal protein, along with various vitamins, essential amino acids, and minerals. Exposure of fish to microplastics, pesticides, and various nanoparticles generates ROS and induces oxidative stress, inflammation, immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, and DNA damage and alters gut microbiota, thus reducing the growth and quality of fish. Changes in fish behavioral patterns, swimming, and feeding habits were also observed under exposures to the above contaminants. These contaminants also affect the Nrf-2, JNK, ERK, NF-κB, and MAPK signaling pathways. And Nrf2-KEAP1 signalling modulates redox status marinating enzymes in fish. Effects of pesticides, microplastics, and nanoparticles found to modulate many antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione system. So, to protect fish health from stress, the contribution of nano-technology or nano-formulations was researched. A decrease in fish nutritional quality and population significantly impacts on the human diet, influencing traditions and economics worldwide. On the other hand, traces of microplastics and pesticides in the habitat water can enter humans by consuming contaminated fish which may result in serious health hazards. This review summarizes the oxidative stress caused due to microplastics, pesticides and nano-particle contamination or exposure in fish habitat water and their impact on human health. As a rescue mechanism, the use of nano-technology in the management of fish health and disease was discussed.

Sublethal biochemical, behavioral, and physiological toxicity of extremely low dose of bendiocarb insecticide in Periplaneta americana (Blattodea: Blattidae)

Insecticides are dedicated to impair the insect organisms, but also have an impact on other, non-target organisms, including humans. In this way, they became important risk factor for disturbance of physiological homeostasis and can be involved in the development of diseases or in deterioration of existing conditions. The influence of sublethal doses of various insecticides on vertebrates' and invertebrates' organisms has been previously observed. In this paper, we have evaluated the impact of exposure to extremely low dose of neurotoxin, bendiocarb (0.1 nM), a commonly used carbamate insecticide on a model organism in neurobiology-Periplaneta americana. The assessment was performed on all levels of animal organism from molecular (oxidative stress parameters: phosphorylation level of proteins, cAMP level, protein kinase A and C levels, and octopamine) to physiological (heart beat and gas exchange tests) and behavioral (motor skills assay, grooming test). Exposure to such a low level of bendiocarb did not cause direct paralysis of insects, but changed their grooming behavior, decreased heart rate, and increased gas exchange. We also observed the increased parameters of oxidative stress as well as stressogenic response to 0.1 nM bendiocarb exposure. Exposure to a trace amount of bendiocarb also increased sensitivity to effective doses of the same insecticide, thus acts as preconditioning. These results force us to reconsider the possible risk from frequent/continuous exposure to traces of pesticide residues in the environment to human health.

Synthesis and insecticidal activities of 4-(propargyloxy) benzenesulfonamide derivatives

A series of 4-(propargyloxy) benzenesulfonamide derivatives with different substituents on the benzene ring were synthesized and evaluated for their insecticidal activity. Some of the compounds showed good insecticidal activity against Mythimna separata, and the LC₅₀ value of the most active compound B2.5 was 0.235 mg/ml. Ultrastructural changes in the midgut epithelial cells of Mythimna separata were observed using transmission electron microscopy, and severe structural damage was found in microvilli, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum. It indicates that the possible site of action of these benzenesulfonamides is the cytoplasmic membrane and endomembrane system of the midgut epithelial cells. The above provides a basis for the development of novel insecticidal active compounds with a novel mechanism of action.

Lactobacillus casei (IBRC-M 10,711) ameliorates the growth retardation, oxidative stress, and immunosuppression induced by malathion toxicity in goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Probiotics can functionality improve fish wellbeing and are suggested as antioxidative agents to protect fish from xenobiotics toxicity. Herein, dietary Lactobacillus casei (IBRC-M 10,711) was included in the diets of goldfish (Carassius auratus) to protect against malathion toxicity. Fish (12.47 ± 0.06 g) were randomly allocated to six groups (triplicates), as follows: T1) control; T2) fish exposed to 50% of malathion 96 h LC50; T3) L. casei at 106 CFU/g diet; T4) L. casei at 107 CFU/g diet; T5) fish exposed to 50% of malathion 96 h LC50 + L. casei at 106 CFU/g diet; T6) fish exposed to 50% of malathion 96 h LC50 + L. casei at 107 CFU/g diet. After 60 days, goldfish fed T4 had the highest final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR), and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the groups (P < 0.05). However, the T2 group showed lower FBW, WG, and SGR and higher FCR than fish in T1 (P < 0.05). Fish in the T4 group had the highest blood total proteins, albumin, and globulin, while fish in T2 had the lowest levels (P < 0.05). Fish in the group T2 had the highest triglycerides, cholesterol, cortisol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in the blood, while fish fed T4 had the lowest values (P < 0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) showed the highest activities in T3 and T4 groups, and the lowest SOD was seen in the T2 group, whereas the lowest CAT was seen in the T2, T5, and T6 groups (P < 0.05). Fish in the T5 and T6 groups had higher glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities than fish in T1 and T2 groups but T3 and T4 groups showed the highest values (P < 0.05). T2 group had the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) level, while T3 and T4 groups had the lowest MDA level (P < 0.05). Blood immunoglobulin (Ig) and lysozyme activity were significantly higher in T3 and T4 groups and lower in the T2 group than in the control (P < 0.05). The alternative complement pathway (ACH50) was significantly higher in T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 groups than in the T1 group (P < 0.05). Skin mucus Ig was significantly higher in T3 and T4 groups and lower in the T2 group than in the control (P < 0.05). The highest lysozyme activity, protease, and ACH50 in the skin mucus samples were in the T4 group, while the lowest values were in the T2 group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary L. casei protects goldfish from malathion-induced growth retardation, oxidative stress, and immunosuppression.

Probabilistic public health risks associated with pesticides and heavy metal exposure through consumption of common dried fish in coastal regions of Bangladesh

The chemical contaminants in dried fish are of great food safety concern and an emerging public health issue in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to assess the public health risk associated with exposure to pesticides (organochlorine and organophosphorus) and heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, arsenic) through the consumption of dried fish (Bombay duck, ribbon fish, silver jewfish, shrimp, Chinese promfret) in coastal districts (Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Bhola, Patuakhali, Khulna) of Bangladesh. Dried fish consumption data were collected from 500 adult respondents (100 from each district) using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Pesticide residues were determined using QuEChERS extraction coupled to gas chromatography and gas chromatography mass spectrometry, and heavy metals were estimated using an atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. The results revealed that the frequency and amount of dried fish consumption was highest for Bombay duck in Cox's Bazar (11.57 g/capita/day) and ribbon fish (12.10 g/capita/day) in Chittagong. The estimated daily intake (EDI, 7.40 × 10^-5 to 1.10 × 10^-4 mg/kg/day) and health risk index (HRI, 0.013 to 0.16) values expressed no health risk from pesticide residues in all the positive samples. For heavy metals, target hazard quotients (THQ) for non-carcinogenic health risk were below 1 (0.001-0.154), indicating no health risk for all samples. However, carcinogenic risk R value indicated a potential health risk for chromium (2.64 × 10^-6 to 4.06 × 10^-6), and carcinogenic R_T value (2.82 × 10^-6 to 5.71 × 10^-6) indicated a potential health risk for all the metals. It is concluded that the risk of exposure to pesticides through the consumption of dried fish is low, while heavy metals pose moderate-to-high health risks to dried fish consumers in the study area. Thus, the study suggests an appropriate risk management policy that controls pesticides and heavy metals in dried fish to ensure safe food for local and global consumers, underpinned by a producers' capacity building and consumers' awareness raising strategy.

Analysis of persistent organochlorine pesticides in shellfish and their risk assessment from aquafarms in Taiwan

In Taiwan, freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) and hard clams (Meretrix lusoria) are the most frequently raised shellfish in land-based pond aquaculture, but research on the accumulation of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in these shellfish is limited. We detected the levels of 14 OCPs in 62 shellfish from Taiwanese aquafarms by performing gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. OCP residues were detected in 4.84% of the samples including readings of 0.04 mg/kg chlordane (in a freshwater clam), 0.03 mg/g p,p'-DDE (in a freshwater clam), and 0.02 mg/g p,p'-DDE (in a hard clam). However, the associated estimated daily intake values were less than the acceptable daily intake levels of chlordane and p,p'-DDE Therefore, the consumption of these shellfish presents no immediate health risks. Our findings contribute to food safety and serve as a reference for OCP screenings for aquatic shellfish.

Simultaneous determination of pharmaceuticals and metabolites in fish tissue by QuEChERS extraction and UHPLC Q/Orbitrap MS analysis

In recent years, the occurrence, fate, and adverse effects of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in aquatic organisms have become a noteworthy issue. In the present study, a rapid and sensitive multiresidue analytical method was developed for the determination of 18 parent PhACs and 5 metabolites in sea bream (Sparus aurata), by combining a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe) procedure with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS). The method development involved optimization of extraction solvent, extraction salts, clean-up sorbents, and amount of sample evaluation, while identification on Orbitrap MS was based on accurate mass and further confirmation with MS/MS fragmentation. The developed method was validated, and linearity was higher than 0.99. Recoveries in all cases ranged between 62 and 107% (at 10, 50, and 100 ng g^-1), while intra-day and inter-day precision, expressed as relative standard deviation, RSD, was lower than 4% and 7%, respectively. In addition, limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged between 0.5 and 19 ng g^-1. The compounds presented a low matrix effect, between - 13 and 4%, while the expanded uncertainty U% estimated at the three spiking levels 10, 50, and 100 ng g^-1 was found below 49% in all cases. Finally, the validated method was applied to sea bream samples from an aquaculture farm located in the Mediterranean Sea, with one positive finding for the antibiotic trimethoprim at a concentration of 26 ng g^-1, presenting negligible human health risk.

Cardiotoxicity of some pesticides and their amelioration

Pesticides are used to control pests that harm plants, animals, and humans. Their application results in the contamination of the food and water systems. Pesticides may cause harm to the human body via occupational exposure or the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Once a pesticide enters the human body, it may create health consequences such as cardiotoxicity. There is not enough information about pesticides that cause cardiotoxicity in the literature. Currently, there are few reports that summarized the cardiotoxicity due to some pesticide groups. This necessitates reviewing the current literature regarding pesticides and cardiotoxicity and to summarize them in a concrete review. The objectives of this review article were to summarize the advances in research related to pesticides and cardiotoxicity, to classify pesticides into certain groups according to cardiotoxicity, to discuss the possible mechanisms of cardiotoxicity, and to present the agents that ameliorate cardiotoxicity. Approximately 60 pesticides were involved in cardiotoxicity: 30, 13, and 17 were insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, respectively. The interesting outcome of this study is that 30 and 13 pesticides from toxicity classes II and III, respectively, are involved in cardiotoxicity. The use of standard antidotes for pesticide poisoning shows health consequences among users. Alternative safe medical management is the use of cardiotoxicity-ameliorating agents. This review identifies 24 ameliorating agents that were successfully used to manage 60 cases. The most effective agents were vitamin C, curcumin, vitamin E, quercetin, selenium, chrysin, and garlic extract. Vitamin C showed ameliorating effects in a wide range of toxicities. The exposure mode to pesticide residues, where 1, 2, 3, and 4 are aerial exposure to pesticide drift, home and/or office exposure, exposure due to drinking contaminated water, and consumption of contaminated food, respectively. General cardiotoxicity is represented by 5, whereas 6, 7, 8 and 9 are electrocardiogram (ECG) of hypotension due to exposure to OP residues, ECG of myocardial infraction due to exposure to OPs, ECG of hypertension due to exposure to OC and/or PY, and normal ECG respectively.

Risk Analysis of Veterinary Drug Residues in Aquatic Products in the Yangtze River Delta of China

ABSTRACT

Aquatic products are favored by people all over the world, but the potential quality and safety issues cannot be ignored. To determine the risk of veterinary drug residues in aquatic products in the Yangtze River Delta, this study used geographic information system method to analyze Chinese veterinary drugs in aquatic products in Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui (Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomerations) from 2017 to 2019. A study of the spatial distribution pattern, hot spot detection and analysis, and spatiotemporal cluster analysis of the residual excess rate and detection rate showed a random spatial distribution in the overall excess rate and detection rate of veterinary drug residues in aquatic products from 2017 to 2019. The results of hot spot analysis and spatiotemporal cluster analysis showed that the rate of detection of veterinary drug residues and the rate of detection of residues in excess of regulatory standards were clustered. This study provides a scientific basis for food safety evaluation and risk management suggestions.

HIGHLIGHTS

QSAR model for pesticides toxicity to Rainbow Trout based on "ideal correlations"

Pesticides have an impact on the aquatic environment, with ecological effects. The regulation of this impact is of key importance. One of the components of the planning of agricultural and industrial activities is the development of databases and models in order to identify substances that may cause damage. In this study, a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) approach was established for the prediction of acute toxicity toward rainbow trout of various pesticides. The so-called index of ideality of correlation is the main component of this approach. The validation of this approach has been carried out with three random splits into the training and validation sets. The range of statistical quality of models obtained here for the validation set is R² = [0.81-0.86] and RMSE = [0.55-0.65].

Quinolone and Organophosphorus Insecticide Residues in Bivalves and Their Associated Risks in Taiwan

Bivalves, such as freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) and hard clams (Meretrix lusoria), are the most extensive and widely grown shellfish in land-based ponds in Taiwan. However, few studies have examined the contamination of bivalves by quinolone and organophosphorus insecticides. Thus, we adapted an established procedure to analyze 8 quinolones and 12 organophosphorus insecticides using liquid and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Surveys in Taiwan have not noted high residual levels of these chemicals in bivalve tissues. A total of 58 samples of freshwater or hard clams were obtained from Taiwanese aquafarms. We identified 0.03 mg/kg of enrofloxacin in one freshwater clam, 0.024 mg/kg of flumequine in one freshwater clam, 0.02 mg/kg of flumequine in one hard clam, 0.05 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos in one freshwater clam, 0.03 mg/kg of chlorpyrifos in one hard clam, and 0.02 mg/kg of trichlorfon in one hard clam. The results indicated that 5.17% of the samples had quinolone insecticide residues and 5.17% had organophosphorus residues. However, the estimated daily intake (EDI)/acceptable daily intake quotient (ADI) indicated no significant risk and no immediate health risk from the consumption of bivalves. These results provide a reference for the food-safety screening of veterinary drugs and pesticides in aquatic animals. Aquatic products should be frequently screened for residues of prohibited chemicals to safeguard human health.