Field Efficacy of Different IPM Modules for Management of Aphid on Cumin (Cuminum Cyminum L.) Under Semi-Arid Conditions

Aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) and Aphis gossypii Glower (Hemiptera: Aphididae) are the two major species damaging cumin crop throughout the cumin growing states of India. Its infestation initiated on cumin crops at 20 days after seed germination with very low incidence and became abundant at 70-80 day after seed germination during second week of January till February when crops are in full grown stage. Since cumin is most important seed spice crop, having huge nutritional, medicinal and aromatic properties, and its seed and essential oil is exporting in many countries over the world, hence quality production is the major challenge for the growers. The multiple sprays of chemical pesticides with heavy doses for pest management induce resistance in aphids, harmful to natural enemies and also enhance the pesticide residue level in the produce (seed). With this approach, the present study was conducted for two consecutive years to evaluate the cumulative effect of botanicals, cultural and physical methods, bio-pesticides, and bio-control agents and insecticides in the form of IPM module for the management of aphid and relative safety to natural enemies in cumin under field conditions. In this study, amongst eight different IPM modules evaluated against aphid, module M-5 consisted by seed treatment with imidacloprid 600FS @ 3ml/kg seed followed by foliar spray of ker plant extract @ 10ml/litre, Verticillium lecanii (1x108cfu/g) @ 6g/litre, and fipronil 5%SC @ 0.035% at definite interval secured efficient management of aphids (>92% mortality) with relative safety to natural enemies and minimized pesticide residue in the seeds. The highest seed yield (934 kg/ha), test weight (5.24 g), essential oil (5.98%), economics (Rs.1.08 Lakh) and B: C ratio (3.69:1) was obtained by the application of IPM modules M-5. Similarly, the higher seed yield 1072.5 kg per hectare (21.19% appreciation over farmers practices) was also recorded in field validation study under non replicated field in large area, proved its effectiveness by the farmers. Consequently, it recommends that IPM module M-5 consisted with botanical product, entomopathogenic fungi and insecticides exhibited sustainable aphid management module for cumin, comparatively safer to natural enemies and lower residue level in the seeds.

Heavy Metal, Aflatoxin, Pesticide Residue, Microbial Analysis of Siddha Polyherbal Formulation Veppampoo mathirai

Aim: The polyherbal siddha formulation veppampoo Mathirai is effective in regulating blood pressure but its safety is not known. The heavy metal, aflatoxins, pesticide residue, microbial count have not been evaluated so far. The current study evaluated the above parameters. The present study was aimed to evaluate the safety parameters (heavy metal, aflatoxin, pesticide residue and microbial profile) of Veppampoo Mathirai. Materials and Methods: According to AYUSH [Ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha, naturopathy] Pharmacopoeial laboratory for Indian medicine (PLIM) guidelines, the formulation was evaluated for its safety parameters at Noble research solutions, kolathur, Chennai, accredited with ISO 9001: 2015.Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) was used for testing heavy metals and aflatoxins were tested using Thin layer chromatography(TLC). The Pesticide residues content was estimated by GC/MS while microbial count by pour plate method. Results: The study revealed presence of heavy metals mercury, arsenic, lead and cadmium within the recommended limit as per AYUSH Pharmacopoeial Laboratory for Indian Medicine Guidelines whereas presence of Aflatoxin, pesticide residues and microbes were absent in the sample which showed the formulation Veppampoo Mathirai (VPM) was free from toxicity. Conclusion: VPM showed heavy metal content below the permissible limit as per PLIM guidelines of AYUSH. Aflatoxins and pesticide residue were not detected while the microbes and specific pathogens were absent in the current batch of VPM. Hence, the present study ensures the formulation was safe for therapeutic use.

Investigation of pesticide residues in Fragaria and Myrica rubra sold in Hangzhou

This study investigated the concentration of the pesticide residues found in Fragaria and Myrica rubra sold in the city of Hangzhou. From an analysis of 151 (77 Fragaria and 74 Myrica rubra ) samples using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), a total of 41 different pesticide residues were found to be present. Of the 41 residues, 14 were found using GC-MS/MS and 27 using LC-MS/MS. Of the 151 samples, 10 (13.0%) of the 77 Fragaria and 5 (6.8%) of the 74 Myrica rubra samples were found to contain a specific pesticide residue, and only 4 Fragaria samples and 2 Myrica rubra samples were found to be without any pesticide residue. Eighteen of the 41 pesticides were not detected in either Fragaria or Myrica rubra samples. Of the 41 different residues, 10 were detected in Fragaria samples and 20 in Myrica rubra samples. In Fragaria , procymidone was the most commonly detected residue, with a detection rate of 88.3%, followed by prochloraz, with a detection rate of 53.2%. In Myrica rubra , prochloraz was the most commonly detected residue, with a detection rate of 71.6%, followed by carbendazim, with a detection rate of 68.9%. The pesticide residues in some of the samples exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL) set in People’s Republic of China. The MRL of dimethomorph was exceeded in 3 of the Fragaria samples and that of dichlorvos was exceeded in 2 of the Myrica rubra samples.

Organochlorine Pesticide Residue Levels in Kola Nuts (Cola nitida Schott & Endl.) and Estimation of Risk Exposition in Côte d’Ivoire

Background: The kola nut represents a significant economic interest for Côte d’Ivoire as well as many households and public authorities. Despite its obvious importance, the kola nut sector is facing a delicate sanitary quality of the marketed product. About 90% of produced kolanut is consumed daily fresh by people and poses a serious organochlorine pesticide toxicity health problem for consumers. Aims: This study aimed to determine the organochlorine pesticide residue levels in kola nuts and assess the risks of kola nuts consumption on population health in Côte d'Ivoire. Study Design: Samples were collected from Farmers, rural Collectors, urban Stores in Districts (Mountains, Comoe, Lagoons, Down-Sassandra) and big storage Centers of Anyama and Bouake for three separate periods of kola nuts harvesting (2016-2017 ; 2017-2018 and 2018-2019). Methodology: Concentrations of 24 organochlorine pesticide (OCPs) residues were measured using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector. Results: The OCPs concentrations ranging from 5.19 to 92.93 µg/kg for Aldrin and Lindane. The results indicate that Methoxychlor, DDE (op'), Endrin ketone, Hexachlorobenzene, Chlorfenapyr, Chlorthal dimethyl and Quitozene concentrations are below the quantification limit (LOQ). Based on the concentrations and the daily consumption of kola nuts estimated at 0.6 g/person in Côte d'Ivoire, the intakes values estimated of OCPs vary from 5.4.10-5 to 7.96.10-4 µg/kg/day for Aldrin and Lindane, respectively. The Exposure Daily Doses (EDD) are all lower than the toxicological reference values. Thus, the occurrence of a toxic effect from OCPs after kola nuts consumption is very unlikely since the hazard quotient HQ sum is less than 1 (∑HQ = 0.13 < 1). Consumption of kola nuts from Côte d’Ivoire does not pose a health risk to consumers. Conclusion: Kola nuts would not represent a health risk for humans and would be safe for comsumption.

Novel Method Development for Extraction and Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Human Serum Samples

In recent years, exposure to pesticides has gained widespread attention due to their adverse health effects. Long-term exposure to pesticides has shown hazardous effects on vital functions of the human nervous and reproductive systems. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the extent of pesticide exposure in humans. Primarily, it is quite challenging to determine trace levels of pesticide residues in biological matrices. Hence, a quick, multi-residue extraction procedure was experimented for pesticide residue analysis in human serum. Herein, the original QuEChERS extraction method was modified for achieving the best possible recoveries. A total of 15 representative pesticides from each class were selected and fortified into the human serum samples. The extraction was performed by employing acidified solution containing acetonitrile and ethyl acetate followed by vortex and centrifugation. The obtained aqueous layer was collected and vapourised to dryness and d-SPE clean-up was conducted utilising PSA. The extracted sample was injected into the GC-MS/MS system under MRM mode. The method development parameters such as linearity, % RSD, accuracy, LOD, LOQ and % ME were assessed. The results obtained for the serum matrix were found to be within the criteria mentioned in European Union SANTE/12682/2019 guidelines for method validation. The developed solitary method is quick, simple and highly efficient for routine pesticide residue analysis. Hence, a wide spectrum of pesticides can be analysed utilising the proposed method for human serum.

Postharvest Treatment of Chinese Kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra) by Pulse Light to Removal of Microbial Load, Pesticide Residue and Integrity of Physicochemical Quality and Phytochemical Constituent

Existence of microorganisms, pesticide residue on fresh vegetables has a potential hazard to human health. The demand for safe green Chinese kale (Brassica oleracea var. alboglabra) has increased recently. Chinese kale is a healthy botanical attached to the Brassicaceae class. It contains numerous nutritional and phytochemical constituents beneficial for human health. Besides health benefits, this green vegetable also poses food safety concerns due to pathogen and pesticide residue during cultivation. Non-thermal physical technology like pulsed light (PL) will be a promising alternative to eradicate microbial and pesticide residue while preserving the best physicochemical properties and phytochemical components. This research evaluated the influence of different pulsed light intensities (1.2-10.8 J/cm2) on the removal of microbial load and pesticide residue as well as weight attrition, texture hardness, dry matter, vitamin C, total phenolic content in the treated Chinese kale. Results showed that pulsed light intensity 8.4 J/cm2 was appropriate to completely eliminate pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella; pesticide substances such as carbendazim, abamectin, cypermethrin, chlorpyrifos ethyl, mancozeb. At pulsed light intensity 8.4 J/cm2, weight attrition in the treated sample was lower than weight attrition in the untreated; meanwhile textural hardness, dry matter, ascorbic acid and total phenolic content remained higher in the treated sample compared to the untreated. The results reveals that the pulsed light technique should be applied as a promising decontamination approach for removal of the pathogen as well as pesticide residue with minor impact on physicochemical properties and phytochemical constituents.