First study on PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, and trace elements in the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) from southern Italy

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and non dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (ndl-PCBs), or also other toxic and potentially toxic elements tend to accumulate in the trophic web, and are associated with a wide range of deleterious effects in animals and humans. Although these contaminants have been banned since more than 30 years, their occurrence remains widespread in most of natural ecosystems. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), being a top predator may cumulate large amounts of these contaminants, and could represent a keystone species serving as sentinel of ecosystem health in freshwater environments. The aim of this paper was to investigate the concentration of OCPs, ndl-PCBs, and essential and not essential elements in tissue samples of Eurasian otter in southern Italy. Six PCBs, seven OCPs, and thirteen trace elements were detected with high concentrations in few cases, however in general, the amounts of toxic compounds seem unlikely to hazard short-term conservation of this endangered mammal. The present paper is the first to provide baseline information concerning the presence of these substances in the Eurasian otter samples and from its fragile ecosystem in Italy.

Non-essential toxic element (Cd, As, Hg and Pb) levels in muscle, liver and kidney of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded along the southwestern coasts of Tyrrhenian sea

Non-essential toxic metals are environmental pollutants that contaminate the marine ecosystem due to their extensive use and long-range transport (by rivers and air). Their presence into the environment is often linked to the human activity, with an expected bioaccumulation in the food chain. Within the marine animals, sea turtles may be considered as potential sentinel species for environmental assessment because of their long lifetime, habitat use and migratory nature. In this study, non-essential toxic metals in the coastal of Tyrrhenian Sea were monitored, during the 2017-2018 period, using the Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) as indicator species. The levels of Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), Mercury (Hg) and Lead, (Pb) were determined in 30 turtles stranded in different locations along the coasts of Campania region of Southern Italy. After morphometric analysis, the non- essential toxic metal accumulation in loggerhead sea turtle muscle and organs have been measured analysing the total concentrations of metals in samples of liver, kidney, and muscle by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) after microwave assisted digestion with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The pattern of contaminants revealed a similar distribution for Pb and total mercury, that were not significantly high in all the analysed matrices. On the contrary, elevated concentrations of total As were found out in all matrices, mainly in muscle (25.7 mg/kg w.w.), and of Cd in liver (1.23 mg/kg w.w.) and kidney (6.82 mg/kg w.w.). These studies allow us to estimate the exposure degree to which these species are subjected.

Heavy metals in organs of stray dogs and cats from the city of Naples and its surroundings (Southern Italy)

The aim of the present study was to assess the concentrations of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in the liver and kidney from stray dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) and cats (Felis catus) found dead between 2014 and 2017 in the city of Naples and its surrounding areas. These organs from 290 dogs and 88 cats were collected after ordinary necropsy of stray animals. Heavy metal concentrations were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Concentrations of Pb (up to 5.93 mg/kg) and Cd (ranging from 0.005 to 6.13 mg/kg) were detected in both livers and kidneys analyzed. Differences in concentration were found based on age class, gender, and kind of tissue for both elements, with a trend similar to those already reported in the literature for comparable studies from different countries. Cadmium levels in the kidney were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in females than those in males for both species. As regards to Pb, the highest concentrations were detected in the liver (3.45 mg/kg in dog and 5.93 in cat, respectively) followed by the renal tissue, with no significant difference depending on the animal gender. This study can be considered the first one in Italy regarding stray dogs and cats as bio-indicators of environmental contamination due to lead and cadmium, suggesting that pets could be sentinel animals to evaluate human exposure to these heavy metals.

Total mercury content in commercial swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from different FAO fishing areas

Mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant that affect human and ecosystem health. It is transferred through trophic level and bio magnification in the food chain. In this study, total Hg was measured in the muscular tissue of samples of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from different FAO fishing areas and imported in Italy between 2014 and 2017. Total mercury concentrations of muscular tissues were determined using cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry. In order to assess the health risk associated with human consumption of this fish, the Hg intake values were calculated and compared with those of provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) (0.57 μg/kg b.w.) as fixed by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). The estimated PTDI (provisional tolerable daily intake) were lower for adults (0.40 μg/kg b.w./day) but not for children (0.97 μg/kg b.w./day), and therefore is considered to pose an alert for children with the present fish consumption volume.

Inspective and toxicological survey of the poisoned baits and bites

Cases of intentional animal poisonings are still widespread in Italy, even if the improper or malicious use of poisoned baits is banned. This represents a serious threat to pets as well as wildlife species, but also an environmental and human health concern. A retrospective study was performed based on baits sent for toxicological analysis to the laboratories of Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno (IZSM) in Southern Italy over a five year period. Analyses were carried out by using different analytical techniques in relation to the toxicants. Results show a trend different from other countries, as well as from that reported for Northern Italy. The molluscicide metaldehyde proved to be the most common substance detected in our laboratory (63.9%) followed by organochlorine insecticides (29.2%), organophosphine insecticides (11.1%) and anticoagulant rodenticides (9.7%). Other rodenticides, such as strychnine and zinc phosphide were detected only one time in baits. Among the organochlorine insecticide, endosulfan (both alpha and beta isomers) occurred as the main poisoning agent. The incidence of poisoning cases detected in the present survey is extremely alarming and pointed out that actions have to be made to reduce this illegal practice and its environmental impact.

Metaldehyde Poisoning of Companion Animals: A Three-year Retrospective Study

Introduction

Intentional and accidental poisoning of animals is often caused by readily available commercial pesticides, such as the molluscicide metaldehyde. A retrospective analysis of suspected metaldehyde poisonings between 2014 and 2016 in Italy was conducted.

Material and Methods

Biological matrices were collected for toxicological analyses in the course of routine Institute activity. A total of 183 organs from dogs and cats and 49 pieces of bait, here specifically poisoned food used to lure animals, were analysed and the presence of metaldehyde was confirmed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Results

A high content of metaldehyde was demonstrated in the analysed samples from dogs and cats: 50 (27.3%) animals were found positive for metaldehyde intoxication together with 17 pieces of bait.

Conclusion

The study emphasised the need for the control of metaldehyde use by the veterinary service.

Evaluation of Trace Elements in Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) from a Suburban Area of Naples, Italy: The "Triangle of Death"

Human exposure to contaminated food is a general health concern worldwide; it is necessary to evaluate food safety with respect to contaminants present in the edible parts of major food crops. This study evaluated the concentrations of 17 trace elements (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Tl, V, and Zn) from 51 potato plantations in the Campania region, inside the area known as the "Triangle of Death," with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis. Results confirm that the potatoes collected from the suburban area of Naples contained concentrations of trace elements below the safe limits prescribed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The concentrations of elements were similar to those reported for potatoes grown in other countries. Monitoring the content of toxic and potentially toxic elements is one of the most important aspects of food quality assurance. The environmental persistence of metals may result in the accumulation of significant levels of these contaminants in plants. They are absorbed to different extents, depending on their source, soil and climatic factors, plant genotype, and agrotechnical conditions, thereby entering the food chain and representing a risk to human health.

Endosulfan poisoning in canids and felids in the Calabria region of southern Italy

Endosulfan, a highly toxic insecticide and acaricide, was globally banned under the Stockholm Convention in May 2011 because of its threats to human health and the environment. Despite the ban on its use, endosulfan is still present in the environment, causing poisoning events in domestic animals and wildlife. Toxicologic analysis of poisoned animals conducted by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno revealed that in the past 3 y, this pesticide has not disappeared in the regions of interest. More than 650 samples (baits and animal organs) collected from 2013 to 2015 were analyzed through solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography–electron capture detection. This methodology allowed us to identify 45 positive samples from the Calabria region of southern Italy (10.2 % of the total samples). Most were samples of gastric content (alpha-endosulfan range: 1.27–3,800 mg/kg) and baits (alpha-endosulfan range: 92–1,497 mg/kg). Lower concentrations of pesticide were found in samples of stomach (alpha-endosulfan: 6.7–118 mg/kg) and liver (alpha-endosulfan: 0.38–14.2 mg/kg).

Carbohydrates as building blocks of privileged ligands for multiphasic asymmetric catalysis

To combine the high chemical performance of asymmetric catalysis with the increasing need for sustainability, a strategy is presented that involves the straightforward preparation of "Trost"-like ligands suitable for application in multiphasic homogeneous catalysis. Ligands with coordinating functions (phosphinoamide-phoshinoester groups) as well as phase tags introduced on a D-glucose scaffold were prepared and then examined in the Pd-catalysed asymmetric desymmetrization of meso-2-cyclopenten-1,4-diol biscarbamate. In line with our assumption, the performance of the catalyst system under traditional conditions is as high as that of the original Trost ligand, derived from trans-cyclohexanediamine, giving enantioselectivities of 98 % ee. Moreover, promising results were observed under multiphasic homogeneous conditions.