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Excessive residues of neonicotinoid insecticides in food and environmental samples pose a serious threat to human health. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the detection capacity of neonicotinoid pesticide residues. Various biosensor-based platforms are now available for the fast, simple, and low-cost detection of neonicotinoid residues. This review mainly summarizes the latest progress in the application of electrochemical sensors, fluorescence sensors, colorimetric sensors, electrochemiluminescence biosensors, and Raman spectroscopy-based biosensors in the rapid detection of neonicotinoid residues. It also discusses the challenges facing these sensor technologies and provides some solutions for addressing these challenges. We anticipate that this review will provide a reference for the further development and utilization of biosensors in pesticide residue detection.

Polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) are promising devices for measuring the time‐weighted average concentrations of hydrophilic compounds in aquatic environments. However, the mechanisms underlying compound uptake by POCIS remain unclear. We investigated the permeation kinetics of polyethersulfone and polytetrafluoroethylene membrane filters, and the sorption kinetics of Oasis HLB (Waters), Envi‐Carb (Supelco), and Oasis WAX (Waters) sorbents. The log octanol−water partition coefficient (KOW) values of the 19 targeted compounds ranged from −0.55 to 6.0. The overall mass‐transfer coefficients were negatively correlated with KOW, indicating that interactions between hydrophobic compounds and the membrane inhibit permeation. The sorption rate coefficient showed no correlation with KOW and depended on the type of sorbent used. These results imply that the uptake of highly hydrophilic compounds by POCIS is determined by both the membrane and the sorbent kinetics; however, membrane kinetics dominate the uptake of hydrophobic compounds. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2115–2121. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Beeswax, an FDA-approved component, has been extensively applied in feed, pharmaceutical, and food industries. The occurrence of neonicotinoid pesticides in beehive systems and their residues in beeswax have caused safety risks. Therefore, establishing a detection method for neonicotinoid pesticide residues in beeswax is crucial for ensuring its quality. The superhydrophobic property of beeswax makes it a challenge to develop suitable determination methods. In this work, we determined Proline and Oxalic acid as a suitable deep eutectic solvent (DES) to extract neonicotinoids from beeswax through theoretical design and verification tests. Systematic molecular dynamics simulations confirmed that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces facilitate the migration of neonicotinoid pesticides from beeswax into the DES. Performance analysis of the method revealed that the DES extraction combined with UHPLC-MS/MS approach exhibited excellent detection capabilities. It was applied to real beeswax sample analysis with the characteristics of simpleness, quickness, environmental friendliness, and high throughput.

The aim of this study is to develop a modified QuEChERS method to analyze the thiamethoxam (TMX) and its metabolite clothianidin (CLO) in Okra. Using the developed analytical method the residue level of the neonicotinoid pesticides thiamethoxam (TMX) and its metabolite clothianidin (CLO) was determined in okra. The extraction was carried out using acetate buffer (1.5 g sodium acetate and 3.0 g anhydrous magnesium sulfate) in acetonitrile, and then the extract was cleaned up with optimized dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE) sorbents. The method linearity in a wide range (0.001–1.0 mg/L) with (R2≥0.9996), selectivity, accuracy (recoveries in the range of 86.9–97.8 %), precision (relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 5.8 %), limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.0007 and 0.002 mg/kg, respectively, and matrix suppression effect (ME) was observed -19.86 and -7.76 % for TMX and CLO, respectively. A total of 100 samples were collected from different market places in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The developed method coupled with LC-MS/MS was applied to determine the residue amount in the collected samples. In 43 % of the samples, TMX residues were found in the range of 0.0051- 0.214 mg/Kg. The maximum residue limit (MRL) of TMX and CLO in okra is 0.010 mg/kg; in 30 % of collected samples, TMX residue exceeds the MRL levels. The residue data were applied to estimate the human health risk.

Abstract Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs), as a new type of insecticide, are widely used in agriculture and daily life. Because of the low volatility of NNIs, few studies have evaluated them in atmospheric particulate matter. In this study, 101 outdoor PM2.5 samples were collected from the Wuhan urban area from 2019 to 2021, leading to the detection of seven NNIs and three of their metabolites. The detection frequencies of all 10 substances were more than 60%, with DIN (dinotefuran) and IMI (imidacloprid) reaching 100%. DIN (52.4 pg/m3) and IMI (43.0 pg/m3) had higher median concentrations than other substances. Concentration distributions of the four substances ACE (acetamiprid), DIN, IMI, and 5-OH-IMI (5-Hydro-Imidacloprid) exhibited statistically significant differences (P

Neonicotinoids (NEOs), highly selective toward insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, are extensively used due to their effectiveness against pests and relative non‐toxicity to vertebrates. However, their prolonged persistence in soil and water has led to frequent detection in food and environmental samples, posing significant environmental and health concerns. Recent research indicates these pesticides infiltrate aquatic ecosystems, threatening aquatic life and human health. Here, we improved the ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry method for detecting NEOs in water samples, increasing its sensitivity to fulfill forthcoming detection needs. This approach enables the simultaneous quantification of eight NEOs and five NEO metabolites in diverse water sources, including tap, surface, groundwater, sewage, and seawater. Our method achieves remarkably low detection limits for direct injection (0.78–1.7 ng/L) and solid‐phase extraction methods (0.13–0.25 ng/L). Critically, our findings reveal that boiling domestic drinking water doesn't degrade NEOs; instead, it increases their concentration due to water evaporation. A 6‐min boiling period can amplify pesticide concentration by 4–5 times, presenting a significant hazard in culinary practices of specific regions where prolonged cooking could lead to alarmingly high levels of these insecticides. This research underscores the importance of monitoring and mitigating NEO contamination in water sources to safeguard environmental and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs), as a new type of insecticide, are widely used in agriculture and daily life. Because of the low volatility of NNIs, few studies have evaluated them in atmospheric particulate matter. In this study, 101 outdoor PM2.5 samples were collected from the Wuhan urban area from 2019 to 2021, leading to the detection of seven NNIs and three of their metabolites. The detection frequencies of all 10 substances were more than 60%, with DIN (dinotefuran) and IMI (imidacloprid) reaching 100%. DIN (52.4 pg/m3) and IMI (43.0 pg/m3) had higher median concentrations than other substances. Concentration distributions of the four substances ACE (acetamiprid), DIN, IMI, and 5-OH-IMI (5-Hydro-Imidacloprid) exhibited statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) across the four seasons. Concentration levels of ACE, CLO (clothianidin), and IMI were statistically different between the three years (P < 0.05). The median concentration of imidacloprid-equivalent total neonicotinoids (IMIeq: generated by the relative potency factor method) was 256.1 pg/m3. Finally, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of NNIs via respiration was greater in infants and young children than in the rest of the population, suggesting that infants and young children were more likely to be exposed to the health effects of airborne residual PM2.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective modified pre-concentration technique, namely Cloud Point Extraction (CPE) coupled with QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe)), was developed to extract and clean up four neonicotinoid pesticide residues (nitenpyram, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and thiacloprid) from honey samples. Two cloud point processes were performed, whereby Triton™ X-114 was used to extract neonicotinoid residues into the surfactant-rich phase and the analytes were then transferred into an alkaline solution by ultrasonication prior to clean-up via QuEChERS method. Numerous variables affecting extraction performance were investigated, including surfactant type and concentration, salt type and content, back-extraction agent type and concentration, solvent type, QuEChERS salt quantity, and incubation temperature and time. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry triple-quadrupole (UHPLC-MS/MS) (QQQ) was used for analysis. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification limits (LOQs) were 0.13 to 0.18 μg kg−1 and 0.2 to 2.3 μg kg−1 respectively. The overall recoveries of all target compounds were between 85.3% to 104.5%, and excellent repeatability was achieved with relative standard deviations (RSD) ranging from 2.0% to 11.5%. The proposed extraction approach successfully detected trace amounts of neonicotinoids in honey samples obtained from local markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful molecular spectroscopy technique that combines Raman spectroscopy with nanostructured metallic surfaces to amplify the Raman signals of target molecules by more than 103. The high sensitivity of SERS poses a significant opportunity for pesticide detection in complex matrices at ultralow concentrations. In this study, we improved the SERS sensitivity for imidacloprid (IMD) by employing silver nanostars (AgNs) coated with gold nanostars (AuNs) as the SERS-active substrate. The SERS response towards IMD detection increased based on the combination of AuNs and AgNs on the substrate surface. The intensity of the SERS signal of IMD using the AuNs/AgNs substrate increased compared to using individual metal nanoparticle substrates. The excellent reproducibility of SERS intensity using the AuNs/AgNs substrate was achieved with a low relative standard derivative (RSD) of 4.87% for 20 different spots on the same sample and 5.19% for 20 different samples. This detection system can be used for multiple tests, which is crucial for the advancement of handheld sensors designed for field use, where minimal or no high-level technical support is accessible. This manuscript reports the first introduction of gold nanostars on silver nanostars surface as the Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) active elements to increase the SERS response towards imidacloprid pesticide. This combination of two metal nanostars showed an enhancement in imidacloprid signal at low concentrations on the AuNs/AgNs surface when compared to the signal on the surface composed of a single type of metal nanostars. The substrates were shown to be stable over a month in storage and can be reused many times. (Image credit: N. Abu Bakar.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile procedure for extracting and determining seven neonicotinoids was developed. Water was the only extraction solvent without phase separation and cleanup steps. The method was validated according to European Union standards, and the values obtained were compared with the criteria. The accuracy values were between 99.8% (thiamethoxam) and 106.8% (clothianidin) at the spiking levels of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg in the tested matrices. The precision as pooled RSD values was ≤6.1% (intra-day) and ≤6.9% (inter-day). The limit of quantification was set and tested at 0.01 mg/kg. The matrix effect was evaluated, and all matrices had a suppressive effect. The matrix of the cucumber was the most effective, with −20.9% for dinotefuran and an average of −9.8% for all compounds, while the tomato matrix had the slightest effect. Real marketed samples were analyzed using the developed and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) methods; the results were not significantly different. A supervised field trial was conducted in the open field to study the dissipation patterns of imidacloprid and dinotefuran in tomatoes. The dissipation of both compounds followed first-order kinetics. The half-life (T½) values were 3.4 and 2.5 days, with dissipation rates k of 0.2013 and 0.2781 days, respectively. Following the EU-MRL database, the calculated pre-harvest interval (PHI) values were 7 and 14 days for imidacloprid and dinotefuran, respectively, and 3 days for both compounds following Codex Alimentarius regulations. The risk of imidacloprid and dinotefuran residues was estimated from chronic and acute perspectives. The risk factors of dinotefuran were lower than those of imidacloprid. Nonetheless, the highest expected residues of both compounds were below the tolerance limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids is commonly used in agriculture, but the pesticides are harmful to bees, other pollinators, and humans. To detect neonicotinoids in the environment, sensitive and selective methods are needed. The conventional techniques of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are effective, but expensive and time-consuming. A promising alternative to real-time detection of neonicotinoids is electrochemical analysis, since it is relatively inexpensive and can be performed instantly. Electrochemical sensors are primarily sensitive to the surface of the working electrode. Various modifiers are employed to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of the electrochemical sensor. This review article focuses on recent advances in neonicotinoid detection technologies using metal/metal oxide nanoparticles, graphene/graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, metal-organic frameworks, and conducting polymers. The detailed descriptions of the developed electrochemical sensors, including sensitivity, selectivity, detection limits, sample complexity, and field applicability, are presented. The article also discussed current challenges and future prospects for electrochemical methods for real-time monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An increasing amount of evidence suggests that telomere length (TL) at birth can predict lifespan and is associated with chronic diseases later in life, but newborn TL may be affected by environmental pollutants. Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are widely used worldwide, and despite an increasing number of studies showing that they may have adverse effects on birth in mammals and even humans, few studies have examined the effect of NEO exposure on newborn TLs. Objective: To investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to NEOs and the interactions between NEOs and sampling season on newborn TL. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 500 mother-newborn pairs from the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort. Ultraperformance liquid chromatographymass spectrometry was used to detect ten NEOs in maternal serum, and fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to estimate the newborn TL. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to evaluate the relationships between individual NEO exposures and TLs , and quantile g-computation (Qgcomp) model and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model were used to evaluate the combined effect of mixtures of components. Results: The results of the GLM showed that compared with maternal TMX levels < LOD, maternal TMX levels < median were negatively correlated with newborn TL (-6.93%, 95% CI%: −11.92%, −1.66%), and the decrease in newborn TL was more pronounced in girls (-9.60%, 95% CI: −16.84%, −1.72%). Moreover, different kinds of maternal NEO exposure had different effects on newborn TL in different sampling seasons, and the effect was statistically significant in all seasons except in autumn. Mixed exposure analysis revealed a potential positive trend between NEOs and newborn TL, but the association was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Prenatal exposure to TMX may shorten newborn TL, and this effect is more pronounced among female newborns. Furthermore, the relationship between NEO exposure and TL may be modified by the sampling season.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been introduced to detect pesticides at low concentrations and in complex matrices to help developing countries monitor pesticides to keep their concentrations at safe levels in food and the environment. SERS is a surface-sensitive technique that enhances the Raman signal of molecules absorbed on metal nanostructure surfaces and provides vibrational information for sample identification and quantitation. In this work, we report the use of silver nanostars (AgNs) as SERS-active elements to detect four neonicotinoid pesticides (thiacloprid, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and nitenpyram). The SERS substrates were prepared with multiple depositions of the nanostars using a self-assembly approach to give a dense coverage of the AgNs on a glass surface, which ultimately increased the availability of the spikes needed for SERS activity. The SERS substrates developed in this work show very high sensitivity and excellent reproducibility. Our research opens an avenue for the development of portable, field-based pesticide sensors, which will be critical for the effective monitoring of these important but potentially dangerous chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, leaf tube film method was used to determine the indoor virulence of Metartaria anisopliae CQMa421 mixed with neonicotinoid pesticides（thiamethoxam, thiamethoxidin, imidacloprid, and amidine） in different active component ratios（1∶ 9,3∶ 7,5∶ 5,7∶ 3,9∶ 1）.The results showed that the virulence of four neonicotinoid pesticides at 24 h and 48 h was in the order of thiamethoxam ＞ thiamethoxam ＞ acetamidine ＞ imidacloprid, which was higher than that of Metarium anisopliae CQMa421,but the mixture of Metarium anisopliae with thiamethoxam and imidacloprid（1∶ 9,3∶ 7,5∶ 5,7∶ 3,9∶ 1） had significant synergistic effect. Metarhizium anisopliae mixed with clothianidin and acetamidine（9∶ 1,7∶ 3） also had a good synergistic effect.It can be seen that the mixture of Metartaria anisopliae and neonicotinoid pesticides can alleviate the pesticide resistance, which provides a reliable scientific basis and a new way for the resistance management of neonicotinoid pesticides in Frankliniella occidentalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hive-forming bees play an integral role in promoting agricultural sustainability and ecosystem preservation. The recent worldwide decline of several species of bees, and in particular, the honeybee in the United States, highlights the value in understanding possible causes. Over the past decade, numerous mathematical models and empirical experiments have worked to understand the causes of colony stress, with a particular focus on colony collapse disorder. We integrate and enhance major mathematical models of the past decade to create a single, analytically tractable model using a traditional disease modeling framework that incorporates both lethal and sublethal stressors. On top of this synthesis, a major innovation of our model is the generalization of stressor attributes including their transmissibility, impairment level, lethality, duration, and temporal-occurrence. Our model is validated against numerous emergent, biological characteristics and demonstrates that precocious foraging and labor destabilization can produce colony collapse disorder. The thresholds for these phenomena to occur depend on the characteristics and timing of the stressor, thus motivating further empirical and theoretical studies into stressor characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of pesticides can have a negative impact on pollinating honey bees, Apis mellifera L., ranging from sublethal to lethal concentrations. Consequently, it is important to comprehend any possible impacts of pesticides. Herein, we evaluated the toxicity of specific pesticides (Sulfoxaflor, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, and acetamiprid) on A. mellifera workers after exposure of 24, 48, 72, and 96 hrs under laboratory conditions. As a result, sulfoxaflor was considered the most toxic compound among the tested pesticides after 24-h of exposure. Further, acetamiprid was found least toxic pesticide. The same trend of toxicity on A. mellifera was observed after 48, 72, and 96 hrs of exposure. These results of the current investigation suggested that sulfoxaflor might be harmful to honey bee workers. This demonstrates the extraordinary sensitivity of local honey bee to routinely applied agricultural pesticides, which may have an impact on the colony level due to the extensive usage of these pesticides in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Electrochemical oxidation using a boron-doped diamond anode (EO-BDD) was tested to remove emerging contaminants commonly present in wastewater treatment plant effluents (WWTPe). The main objective of the work was the regeneration of this water for its possible reuse in high-quality demanding uses. In the first part of the work, we investigated the potential of this technique for removing a group of neonicotinoid pesticides (thiamethoxam (TMX), imidacloprid (ICP), acetamiprid (ACP), and thiacloprid (TCP)) in a WWTP effluent. The influence of operating variables, such as current density, the conductivity of media, supporting electrolyte type (Na2SO4, NaCl or NaNO3), or the natural aqueous matrix on target variables were fully established. Selected target variables were: (1) the percentage of pollutant removal, (2) the kinetics (apparent pseudo-first-order kinetic rate constant), (3) total organic carbon (TOC) removal, and (4) the specific energy consumption (SEC). A response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to model the results for all cases. In the paper's final part, this technology was tested with a more broad group of common emerging pollutants, including some azole pesticides (such as fluconazole (FLZ), imazalil (IMZ), tebuconazole (TBZ), or penconazole (PNZ)), antibiotics (amoxicillin (AMX), trimethoprim (TMP), and sulfamethoxazole (SMX)), and an antidepressant (desvenlafaxine (DVF)). The results confirm the power of this technology to remove this emerging contamination in WWTP effluents which supposes an interesting way towards its regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile procedure for extracting and determining seven neonicotinoids was developed. Water was the only extraction solvent without phase separation and cleanup steps. The method was validated according to European Union standards, and the values obtained were compared with the criteria. The accuracy values were between 99.8% (thiamethoxam) and 106.8% (clothianidin) at the spiking levels of 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg in the tested matrices. The precision as pooled RSD values was ≤6.1% (intra-day) and ≤6.9% (inter-day). The limit of quantification was set and tested at 0.01 mg/kg. The matrix effect was evaluated, and all matrices had a suppressive effect. The matrix of the cucumber was the most effective, with −20.9% for dinotefuran and an average of −9.8% for all compounds, while the tomato matrix had the slightest effect. Real marketed samples were analyzed using the developed and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) methods; the results were not significantly different. A supervised field trial was conducted in the open field to study the dissipation patterns of imidacloprid and dinotefuran in tomatoes. The dissipation of both compounds followed first-order kinetics. The half-life (T½) values were 3.4 and 2.5 days, with dissipation rates k of 0.2013 and 0.2781 days, respectively. Following the EU-MRL database, the calculated pre-harvest interval (PHI) values were 7 and 14 days for imidacloprid and dinotefuran, respectively, and 3 days for both compounds following Codex Alimentarius regulations. The risk of imidacloprid and dinotefuran residues was estimated from chronic and acute perspectives. The risk factors of dinotefuran were lower than those of imidacloprid. Nonetheless, the highest expected residues of both compounds were below the tolerance limits.

Global losses of insects jeopardize ecosystem stability and crop pollination. Robust evidence indicates that insecticides have contributed to these losses. Notably, insecticides targeting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have neurotoxic effects on beneficial insects. Because each nAChR consists of five subunits, the alternative arrangements of subunits could create a multitude of receptors differing in structure and function. Therefore, understanding whether the use of subunits varies is essential for evaluating and predicting the effects of insecticides targeting such receptors. To better understand how the use and composition of nAChRs differ within and between insect pollinators, we analysed RNA‐seq gene expression data from tissues and castes of Apis mellifera honey bees and life stages and castes of the Bombus terrestris bumble bees. We reveal that all analysed tissues express nAChRs and that relative expression levels of nAChR subunits vary widely across almost all comparisons. Our work thus shows fine‐tuned spatial and temporal expression of nAChRs. Given that coexpression of subunits underpins the compositional diversity of functional receptors and that the affinities of insecticides depend on nAChR composition, our findings provide a likely mechanism for the various damaging effects of nAChR‐targeting insecticides on insects. Furthermore, our results indicate that the appraisal of insecticide risks should carefully consider variation in molecular targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agro-Environment Science is the property of Journal of Agro-Environment Science Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Shaanxi is an important agricultural province in China. The rapid development of agriculture has led to an increase in the use of pesticides, which has resulted in a serious pesticide pollution problem. In addition, assessing the total residue concentrations would overestimate the actual hazard of neonicotinoid pesticides, so it is essential to study the bioavailability of neonicotinoid pesticides. In the study, 115 soil samples collected from different areas from northern, central, and southern Shaanxi were used to determine the residues of four neonicotinoid pesticides: imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam. An analytical method applied to assess the bioavailability of neonicotinoid pesticides was established, the bioavailability of different types of neonicotinoid pesticides and related factors affecting their bioavailability were determined, and the changes in the bioavailability of neonicotinoid pesticides in actual and simulated soils were explored. The results showed that the detection rates and residue levels of neonicotinoid pesticides varied in different regions of Shaanxi. By studying the bioavailability of neonicotinoid pesticides, it was found that the bioavailability of the four neonicotinoid pesticides was always: thiamethoxam > acetamiprid > imidacloprid > clothianidin, which may be related to their structural properties. Soil pH is positively related to the size of the bioavailability of neonicotinoid pesticides, while soil organic matter content and soil aging time are negatively related to the size of the bioavailability of neonicotinoid pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been introduced to detect pesticides at low concentrations and in complex matrices to help developing countries monitor pesticides to keep their concentrations at safe levels in food and the environment. SERS is a surface-sensitive technique that enhances the Raman signal of molecules absorbed on metal nanostructure surfaces and provides vibrational information for sample identification and quantitation. In this work, we report the use of silver nanostars (AgNs) as SERS-active elements to detect four neonicotinoid pesticides (thiacloprid, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and nitenpyram). The SERS substrates were prepared with multiple depositions of the nanostars using a self-assembly approach to give a dense coverage of the AgNs on a glass surface, which ultimately increased the availability of the spikes needed for SERS activity. The SERS substrates developed in this work show very high sensitivity and excellent reproducibility. Our research opens an avenue for the development of portable, field-based pesticide sensors, which will be critical for the effective monitoring of these important but potentially dangerous chemicals.

Abstract A method based on isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC/MS/MS) was established as a candidate reference method for accurate determination of neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam in kimchi cabbage. Their deuterated isotopes, imidacloprid-d 4, chlothianidin-d 3, and thiamethoxam-d 4 were used as internal standards. The combination of HLB and Carb solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges was used to clean-up kimchi cabbage extracts. The ID-LC/MS/MS conditions were optimized with fortified kimchi cabbage samples for validation. Imidacloprid in the ERM-BC403 cucumber sample (0.627 ± 0.026) mg/kg was analyzed with the developed method, and the measured value (0.604 ± 0.028) mg/kg agreed within their uncertainties. The developed method was employed for the certification of kimchi cabbage reference materials prepared in this laboratory. The measured values of imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam are (0.860 ± 0.020) mg/kg, (0.524 ± 0.012) mg/kg, (0.787 ± 0.014) mg/kg, respectively. The standard deviation of the measured values for ten bottles was

The similar nervous system structure between crustaceans and insects and the high-water solubility of thiamethoxam can lead to the more severe toxicity of thiamethoxam to crustaceans. However, the effects of thiamethoxam on crustaceans are unclear. Therefore, a 96-h acute toxicity test was performed to explore the hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity effects of thiamethoxam on Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) at concentrations 0 µg/L, 150 µg/L and 300 µg/L. The antioxidant and detoxification systems (including phases I and II) were significantly activated after exposure of juvenile crabs to thiamethoxam for 24 h in 300 µg/L group, whereas the toxic activation effect in 150 μg/L group was delayed. Moreover, a similar pattern was observed for the transcription levels of immune-related genes. Further analysis of inflammatory signaling pathway-related genes showed that thiamethoxam exposure with 300 µg/L for 24 h may induce a pro-inflammatory response through the NF-κB pathway. In contrast, the gene expression levels in 150 µg/L group were significantly upregulated compared with 0 µg/L group after 96 h. In addition, although the acute exposure of 150 μg/L thiamethoxam did not seem to induce significant neurotoxicity, the acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly decreased in 300 μg/L group after thiamethoxam exposure for 96 h. Correspondingly, thiamethoxam exposure with 300 µg/L for 24 h resulted in significantly downregulated transcriptional levels of synaptic transmission-related genes (e.g. dopamine-, gamma-aminobutyric acid- and serotonin-related receptors). Therefore, thiamethoxam may be harmful and cause potential toxic threats such as neurotoxicity and metabolic damage to crustaceans.

Residues of neonicotinoid pesticides have potential risks to food, environmental and biological safety. In this study, the hapten toward imidacloprid was adopted to gain antibodies. After molecular modeling, the electrostatic potentials of eight commonly-used neonicotinoid pesticides were individually calculated to analyze the structural similarity. Two representative compounds (imidacloprid and acetamiprid) with moderate similarity were rationally selected for hybridoma screening. Using this strategy, four clones of broad-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against multiple neonicotinoids were obtained, and the clone 6F11 exhibited the broadest spectrum to six neonicotinoid pesticides and two metabolites, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) ranging from 0.20 to 5.92 ng/mL. Then, the novel antibody gene was sequenced and successfully expressed in full-length IgG form using mammalian cells. Based on the sensitive recombinant antibody, a gold lateral-flow immunosensing strip assay was developed and it was qualified for rapid detection of imidacloprid, clothianidin or imidaclothiz residues in food samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Biogenic activated carbon with a strong affinity for neonicotinoid pesticides. • Continuous adsorption of multicomponent solutions using sludge-derived materials. • Mesopority of the novel material promoted adsorption kinetics. • FBU values reaching up to 71%, compared to 7–8% for commercial adsorbent. • Regeneration of the fixed bed for reuse was successfully accomplished. The environmental impact of pesticides, together with the increasing regulatory framework on sewage sludge disposal, has raised a great political and social concern. Neonicotinoid pesticides, such as imidacloprid (IMD), thiamethoxam (THM), and acetamiprid (ACT), have been included among the main emerging pollutants on the latest EU Watch Lists derived from Directive 2008/105/EC. This research aims at valorising an industrial sludge through the synthesis of a biogenic activated carbon for the continuous adsorption of the aforementioned plaguicides from multicomponent aqueous solutions. AC-Industrial2 was prepared by combining chemical and physical activation, resulting in a mesoporous material with a high surface area (S BET = 750 m2∙g−1) and a strong affinity for the micropollutants tested. The sludge-derived adsorbent achieved maximum adsorption capacity values at equilibrium of 124.3, 124.4 and 153.1 mg∙g−1 for ACT, THM and IMD, respectively. Therefore, this material not only presented similar removal yields to those obtained with the commercial material (AC-F400), but also it considerably favoured the adsorption kinetics due to its great mesoporosity contribution. The best fitting of experimental kinetic data was found by using pseudo-first order model, while Freundlich model successfully fitted most of the equilibrium adsorption isotherms. The breakthrough behaviour of the multicomponent fixed-bed system for AC-Industrial2 was related to the pesticides' hydrophobicity, rather than the molecular volume of the pollutants. Additionally, an overshooting phenomenon was noticed for the weakest adsorbable components (THM and ACT). The sorbent developed in this work allowed a bed utilisation in the range 51–67.2 %, whereas the commercial material led to values between 7.0 and 8.3 %. This fact, together with the complete and efficient regeneration of the novel material by a Fenton process, highlighted its excellent reusability and stability for scale-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a QuEChERS method based on citrate was developed and utilized for the analysis of twelve neonicotinoid pesticides in fresh red chilies, fresh green chilies, and dried chilies, coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). In the sample preparation, acetonitrile containing 1% formic acid was used as the extraction solvent. Anhydrous sodium sulfate replaced the traditional anhydrous magnesium sulfate for water removal, effectively eliminating the issues of salt caking. Graphitized carbon black, octadecyl silica, and primary secondary amine were used as cleaning agents. The method showed good sensitivity, with the limits of quantification below 0.03 mg/kg for fresh chilies and below 0.15 mg/kg for dried chilies. Values of matrix effects ranged from −19.5% to 8.4%, and the recovery was 86.9% - 105.2%. The analytical method provided an effective tool for the high throughput detection of neonicotinoid pesticide residues in multiple chili matrices. [Display omitted] • Twelve neonicotinoid pesticides were effectively analyzed using a modified QuEChERS method. • Anhydrous sodium sulfate was used to avoid the impact of salt caking. • Cleaning agents effectively removed interfering substances in chili. • Validation data demonstrated satisfactory performance of the developed method. • The method was applied for the analysis of neonicotinoid pesticides in multi-matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An UPLC-MS/MS 5-window-method enduring 22 min has been optimized. • This sensitive and accurate method allows to quantify 23 pesticides in human urine. • The optimization includes 3 further pesticide groups: neonicotinoids, carbamates and triazoles. • Pesticides still in use and others already banned by legislations are included. • This method is optimal as a HBM tool for health risk assessment in large population surveys. An accurate and sensitive method for the determination of a total of 23 pesticides and their metabolites in human urine has been optimised. The methodology is based on a previously published method based on solid-phase extraction with methanol and acetone followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) in the selected reaction mode (SRM) with both positive and negative electrospray ionization (ESI+/-). The detection settings of the previous method, which allowed to determine the metabolites from 6 organophosphate and 2 pyrethroid pesticides, were optimised in order to include further pesticide groups, such as 11 neonicotinoids, 3 carbamates/thiocarbamates and 2 triazoles. The 5-windows method enduring 22 min was optimized with acceptable results in relation to accuracy (recoveries >75 %), precision (coefficients of variation <26 %) and linearity (R2> 0.9915). The limits of detection ranged between 0.012 ng/mL and 0.058 ng/mL. Samples from the German External Quality Assessment Scheme (G-EQUAS) encompassing 2 pyrethroids, 2 organophosphate and one neonicotinoid (6-chloronicotinic acid, a common metabolite of imidacloprid and acetamiprid) were analysed, and the latter, included in this newest optimization, provided good reference results. The method is optimal as a human biomonitoring tool for health risk assessment in large population surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the pesticide and its metabolite residues in processed fruits could become a significant route of human exposure. The work presented herein focuses on developing a feasible quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method with improved extraction and cleanup system for the determination of imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, and clothianidin (a metabolite of thiamethoxam) in canned fruits. The low toxic solvent ethanol was used to extract the analytes, and ammonium sulfate was used to promote phase separation. Moreover, the carboxylated multi‐walled carbon nanotube acted as the clean‐up sorbent for the removal of high solubility impurities. The proposed method was validated with fortified real samples at different concentration levels (20–200 μg/kg). Recoveries obtained from three spiked levels (20, 50, and 200 μg/kg) ranged from 74.9 to 86.4% with relative standard deviations of the intra‐day and inter‐day in the range of 0.8–5.5 and 2.0–7.1%, respectively. The limits of detection ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 and 0.2 to 0.6 μg/kg for orange and peach, respectively. The results demonstrated that the proposed method could be considered appropriate, and comparatively lower toxic for the analysis of neonicotinoid pesticide residues in canned fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides are synthetic chemicals that destroy pests and insects, improving vegetation and damaging the ruling class. Pesticides gain the vegetation; However, the protective use of pesticides goes against the traditional ethics of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), leading to environmental concerns. It has been observed that neonicotinoid pesticides and their metabolites can continue and accumulate in soils. They are freely soluble in water and compulsive, draining into waterways, and more are found in environmental samples, eventually affecting human well-being. Therefore, regional instability, the traditional principles, and anthropogenic versus natural origin of conceivably dangerous title pesticide in soils and water assessment are precariously main to evaluate human impact. This review article mainly focuses on extensive information about the sample preparation methods, discovery methods, and the developed systems to samples from various fields of soils and water to detect the neonicotinoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method based on isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (ID-LC/MS/MS) was established as a candidate reference method for accurate determination of neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam in kimchi cabbage. Their deuterated isotopes, imidacloprid-d4, chlothianidin-d3, and thiamethoxam-d4 were used as internal standards. The combination of HLB and Carb solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges was used to clean-up kimchi cabbage extracts. The ID-LC/MS/MS conditions were optimized with fortified kimchi cabbage samples for validation. Imidacloprid in the ERM-BC403 cucumber sample (0.627 ± 0.026) mg/kg was analyzed with the developed method, and the measured value (0.604 ± 0.028) mg/kg agreed within their uncertainties. The developed method was employed for the certification of kimchi cabbage reference materials prepared in this laboratory. The measured values of imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam are (0.860 ± 0.020) mg/kg, (0.524 ± 0.012) mg/kg, (0.787 ± 0.014) mg/kg, respectively. The standard deviation of the measured values for ten bottles was < 1%, and the measured values after one year agreed with their first measurements indicating reliable repeatability and reproducibility of the developed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To develop an analytical method for determination of seven trace neonicotinoid pesticides in milk by using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. Methods The samples were extracted, enriched and cleaned up using acetonitrile-water based on cold-induced liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) method. The chromatographic separation of analytes was conducted on an HSS T3 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) using acetonitrile-water system as the mobile phase with gradient elution. The analytes were detected by high resolution mass spectrometry using target single ion monitoring mode and the internal standard method was used as the quantitative analysis. Results Seven neonicotinoid pesticides showed a good linearity in a certain concentration range with relative coefficient of R2>0.999. Limits of detection (LODs) were in the range of 3-7 ng/L, and limits of quantitation (LOQs) were between 8 and 20 ng/L. At the spiked levels of 20, 100, 1 000 ng/L, the average recoveries of analytes in milk were between 89.4%-105.7%, with the intra-day precision (RSDr) of 0.8%-6.4% and the inter-day precision (RSDR) less than 11.0%. Conclusion Cold-induced LLE and DSPE method allows one-step sample preparation. This method demonstrates a rapid, simple and low-cost pretreatment with high sensitivity and good reproducibility, which is suitable for trace analysis of neonicotinoid pesticides in milk.

Neonicotinoid pesticides are a relatively new class of pesticides that have garnered significant attention owing to their potential ecological risks to nontarget organisms. A method combining solid phase extraction with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-LC-MS/MS) was developed for the rapid and accurate detection of eight neonicotinoid pesticides (dinotefuran, E -nitenpyram, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, imidacloprid, imidaclothiz, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid) in wastewater. The chromatographic mobile phase and MS parameters were selected, and a single-factor method was used to determine the optimal column type, extraction volume, sample loading speed, and pH for SPE. The optimal parameters were as follows: column type, HLB column (500 mg/6 mL); sample extraction volume, 500 mL; sample loading speed, 10 mL/min; and sample pH, 6-8. The matrix effects of the wastewater samples were reduced by optimizing the chromatographic gradient-elution program, examining the dilution factor of the samples, and using the isotope internal standard calibration method. Prior to analysis, the wastewater samples were diluted 5-fold with ultrapure water for pretreatment. Subsequently, 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate aqueous solution containing 0.1% (v/v) formic acid and methanol was used as mobile phases for gradient elution on a ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C18 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 μm). The samples were quantified using positive-ion multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode for 10 min. Imidacloprid-d4 was used as the isotope internal standard. The SPE process was further optimized by applying response surface methodology to select the type and mass of rinsing and elution solvents. The optimal pretreatment of the SPE column included rinsing with 10% methanol aqueous solution and elution with methanol-acetonitrile (1∶1, v/v) mixture (7 mL). The eight neonicotinoid pesticides showed satisfactory linearity within the relevant range, with linear correlation coefficients ( r ) all greater than 0.9990. The method detection limits (MDLs) ranged from 0.2 to 1.2 ng/L, and the method quantification limits (MQLs) ranged from 0.8 to 4.8 ng/L. The average recoveries of the eight neonicotinoid pesticides were in the range of 82.6%-94.2% at three spiked levels, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranging from 3.9% to 9.4%. Finally, the optimized method was successfully applied to analyze wastewater samples collected from four sewage treatment plants. The results indicated that the eight neonicotinoid pesticides could be generally detected at concentrations ranging from not detected (ND) to 256 ng/L. The developed method has a low MDL and high accuracy, rendering it a suitable choice for the trace detection of the eight neonicotinoid pesticides in wastewater when compared with other similar methods. The proposed method can be utilized to monitor the environmental impact and assess the potential risks of neonicotinoid pesticides in wastewater, thus promoting the protection of nontarget organisms and the sustainable use of these pesticides in agriculture.

Polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) devices have been suggested for measuring time‐weighted averages (TWAs) of contaminant concentrations resulting from chemical leak accidents in aquatic environments. However, the response of the POCIS device in the emergency condition in natural water remains unclear. The response of the POCIS device to contaminant fluctuation was investigated using a chamber test with tap water and a channel test with natural water. The fluctuation in the chamber and the channel simulated the condition of river water under a chemical leak scenario (maximum concentration: 1–10 μg L–1, half‐life: 1 day). The target chemicals were neonicotinoid pesticides (dinotefuran, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid) and bisphenol A. The ratio of the POCIS measured value to the TWA values of grab samplings (POCIS/TWA) for the channel test (temperature: 15 °C, flow velocity: 15 cm s–1) ranged from 61% (clothianidin) to 133% (thiacloprid). The results indicated that the POCIS device could be effectively used as a monitoring device in an aquatic environment under the chemical leak scenario over a time period of more than14 days. In addition, the POCIS/TWA ratios obtained from the chamber test and the channel test were in the range of 50–150%. Thus, the chamber test could be used to evaluate the POCIS device at a low cost. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:3010–3018. © 2021 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The excessive residue of neonicotinoid pesticides in the environment and food poses a severe threat to human health, necessitating the urgent development of a sensitive and efficient method for detecting trace amounts of these pesticides. Electrochemical sensors, characterized by their simplicity of operation, rapid response, low cost, strong selectivity, and high feasibility, have garnered significant attention for their immense potential in swiftly detecting trace target molecules. The detection capability of electrochemical sensors primarily relies on the catalytic activity of electrode materials towards the target analyte, efficient loading of biomolecular functionalities, and the effective conversion of interactions between the target analyte and its receptor into electrical signals. Electrode materials with superior performance play a crucial role in enhancing the detection capability of electrochemical sensors. With the continuous advancement of nanotechnology, particularly the widespread application of novel functional materials, there is paramount significance in broadening the applicability and expanding the detection range of pesticide sensors. This comprehensive review encapsulates the electrochemical detection mechanisms of neonicotinoid pesticides, providing detailed insights into the outstanding roles, advantages, and limitations of functional materials such as carbon-based materials, metal-organic framework materials, supramolecular materials, metal-based nanomaterials, as well as molecular imprinted materials, antibodies/antigens, and aptamers as molecular recognition elements in the construction of electrochemical sensors for neonicotinoid pesticides. Furthermore, prospects and challenges facing various electrochemical sensors based on functional materials for neonicotinoid pesticides are discussed, providing valuable insights for the future development and application of biosensors for simplified on-site detection of agricultural residues. This comprehensive review encapsulates the electrochemical detection mechanisms of neonicotinoid pesticides, providing detailed insights into the outstanding roles, advantages, and limitations of functional materials such as carbon-based materials, metal-organic framework materials, supramolecular materials, metal-based nanomaterials, as well as molecular imprinting materials, antibodies/antigens, and aptamers as molecular recognition elements in the construction of electrochemical sensors for neonicotinoid pesticides. Simultaneously, the challenges faced by various neonicotinoid pesticide electrochemical sensors based on functional materials and future prospects are thoroughly explored. [Display omitted] • Review explores the electrochemical detection mechanisms for neonicotinoids. • Article examines the signal amplification strategy employing various functional materials and nucleic acid self-assembly. • Review explores the different electrochemical signal transduction modes for neonicotinoids detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 plays a crucial role in regulating insect growth, development, and resisting a variety of stresses. Insect metamorphosis and response to external stress are altered by deleting CYP450 genes. In this study, we identified and analyzed a novel gene of CYP450 family, AccCYP6A13 , from Apis cerana cerana , and explored its role in the response of Apis cerana cerana to adverse external stressors. It was found that the expression of AccCYP6A13 was spatiotemporal specificity. The expression level increased with age and reached its highest value in the adult stage. The primarily expressiong location were legs, brain, and epidermis of honeybees. Stress conditions can affect the expression of AccCYP6A13 depending on treatment times. RNA interference experiments have shown that knocking down AccCYP6A13 reduces antioxidant activity and deactivates detoxification enzymes, resulting in oxidative damage accumulation and a decline in detoxification capability in bees, as well as inhibiting numerous antioxidant genes. Additionally, knockdown of the AccCYP6A13 gene in Apis cerana cerana resulted in increased sensitivity to pesticides and increased mortality when treated with neonicotinoid pesticides such as thiamethoxam. AccCYP6A13 overexpression in a prokaryotic system further confirmed its role in resistance to oxidative stress. To summarize, AccCYP6A13 may play an essential role in the normal development and response to environmental stress in Apis cerana cerana. Furthermore, this study contributed to the theoretical understanding of bee resistance biology. [Display omitted] • AccCYP6A13 was isolated and identified in Apis cerana cerana. • AccCYP6A13 take part in the oxidative stress response. • AccCYP6A13 is involved in the resistance of Apis cerana cerana to neonicotinoid pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residues of neonicotinoid pesticides have potential risks to food, environmental and biological safety. In this study, the hapten toward imidacloprid was adopted to gain antibodies. After molecular modeling, the electrostatic potentials of eight commonly-used neonicotinoid pesticides were individually calculated to analyze the structural similarity. Two representative compounds (imidacloprid and acetamiprid) with moderate similarity were rationally selected for hybridoma screening. Using this strategy, four clones of broad-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against multiple neonicotinoids were obtained, and the clone 6F11 exhibited the broadest spectrum to six neonicotinoid pesticides and two metabolites, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) ranging from 0.20 to 5.92 ng/mL. Then, the novel antibody gene was sequenced and successfully expressed in full-length IgG form using mammalian cells. Based on the sensitive recombinant antibody, a gold lateral-flow immunosensing strip assay was developed and it was qualified for rapid detection of imidacloprid, clothianidin or imidaclothiz residues in food samples.

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The amount of sludge produced in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) has increased over the years, and the methods used to reduce this waste, such as incineration, agricultural use, or disposal in landfills, cause problems of secondary pollution. For this reason, it is necessary to find sustainable and low-cost solutions to manage this waste. Additionally, emerging and priority pollutants are attracting attention from the scientific community as they can generate health problems due to inadequate removal in conventional WWTPs. In this work, a pharmaceutical industry sludge was used as a precursor in the synthesis of four activated carbons (ACs) using different activating agents (ZnCl2, FeCl3∙6H2O, Fe(NO3)3∙9H2O, and Fe(SO4)3∙H2O), to be used for the removal by adsorption of three neonicotinoid pesticides included in latest EU Watch List (Decision 2018/840): acetamiprid (ACT), thiamethoxam (THM), and imidacloprid (IMD). The prepared ACs showed micro–mesoporous properties, obtaining relatively slow adsorption kinetics to reach equilibrium, but despite this, high values of adsorption capacity (qe) were obtained. For example, for AC-ZnCl2 (SBET = 558 m2/g), high adsorption capacities of qe = 128.9, 126.8, and 166.1 mg/g for ACT, THM, and IMD, respectively, were found. In most cases, the adsorption isotherms showed a multilayer profile, indicating an important contribution of the mesoporosity of the activated carbons in the adsorption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What does the general public know about neonicotinoids used in ornamental horticulture and their effects on pollinators? The question is an important one given that home landscapes serve as pollinator habitat and can impact pollinator health. This 5-page fact sheet written by Hayk Khachatryan, Xuan Wei, and Alicia Rihn and published by the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department summarizes a survey addressing consumer knowledge about neonicotinoids and pollinator plants, as well as their interest in enhancing pollinator health. The survey is part of a larger research project aimed at incorporating pollinator conservation into the ornamental horticulture industry's sustainability initiatives. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fe1081

Neonicotinoid pesticides are highly hydrophilic systemic insecticides that have been extensively used worldwide. To evaluate their environmental risks, the concentrations of these pesticides in the aquatic environment must be monitored. Although the polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) has proved to be a suitable passive sampler for many highly hydrophilic compounds, Oasis HLB (Waters) POCIS has shown limitations for the monitoring of neonicotinoid pesticides, such as short linear uptake ranges. In the present study we optimized POCIS for neonicotinoid pesticides by selecting suitable adsorbents and filters. The ENVI‐Carb (Supelco) nonporous carbon‐based adsorbent demonstrated a good balance between strong sorption and high recovery. Static renewal experiments showed that the our POCIS device using ENVI‐Carb with a polyethersulfone membrane filter had a 3 d (dinotefuran) to 28 d (clothianidin, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid) linear range, which is longer than that of HLB POCIS (≤1 [dinotefuran] to 14 d). The POCIS using ENVI‐Carb with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane had higher sampling rates (0.270 L/d [clothianidin] to 0.686 [imidacloprid] L/d) than those of the HLB POCIS for short‐term deployment. The time‐weighted average concentrations in actual river water measured by the new POCIS were in good agreement with those obtained by repeated grab sampling, within 30%. Moreover, POCIS detected 2 neonicotinoid pesticides that were not detected by grab sampling. Thus, the proposed POCIS is a promising tool for the monitoring of neonicotinoid pesticides. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1325–1333. © 2020 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• RAMs is devised to enrich neonicotinoid pesticides while exclude proteins. • RAMs possess dual-function adsorption sites and zwitterionic polymer exclusion sites. • Offline and online RAMs couple with LC show the potential in the detection of neonicotinoid pesticides from Goji samples. • Online RAMs-LC is able to complete extraction-detection of neonicotinoid pesticides into one step by simple valve-switching. A method based on novel restricted access materials (RAMs) for the determination of neonicotinoid pesticides in Goji samples using offline and online solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (LC). RAMs were synthesized using poly(chloromethylstyrene- co -divinylbenzene) (P VBC/DVB) microspheres as substrate, styrene (St) and n-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) were first copolymerized on the interior to construct adsorption sites, and sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) was then polymerized on the exterior to form exclusion sites via two-step surface initiated-atom transfer polymerization. The prepared P VBC/DVB @poly(St- co -NVP)@poly(SBMA) RAMs could efficiently extract neonicotinoid pesticides and automatically exclude proteins. Under the optimized conditions, the developed methods of offline (magnetic SPE and SPE column) and online extraction coupled with LC both using P VBC/DVB @poly(St- co -NVP)@poly(SBMA) RAMs as the extractant, exhibit a wide linearity, low limits of detection and limit of quantification and good inter-day and intra-day precision with satisfactory recoveries. Among these methods, online extraction coupled with LC based on novel RAMs exhibits clear advantages for the determination of neonicotinoid pesticides in Goji samples has clear advantages, such as simple operation by direct injection, short extraction times, and high accuracy with less human error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing amount of evidence suggests that telomere length (TL) at birth can predict lifespan and is associated with chronic diseases later in life, but newborn TL may be affected by environmental pollutants. Neonicotinoids (NEOs) are widely used worldwide, and despite an increasing number of studies showing that they may have adverse effects on birth in mammals and even humans, few studies have examined the effect of NEO exposure on newborn TLs. To investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to NEOs and the interactions between NEOs and sampling season on newborn TL. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 500 mother-newborn pairs from the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to detect ten NEOs in maternal serum, and fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to estimate the newborn TL. A generalized linear model (GLM) was used to evaluate the relationships between individual NEO exposures and TLs , and quantile g-computation (Qgcomp) model and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) model were used to evaluate the combined effect of mixtures of components. The results of the GLM showed that compared with maternal TMX levels < LOD, maternal TMX levels < median were negatively correlated with newborn TL (-6.93%, 95% CI%: −11.92%, −1.66%), and the decrease in newborn TL was more pronounced in girls (-9.60%, 95% CI: −16.84%, −1.72%). Moreover, different kinds of maternal NEO exposure had different effects on newborn TL in different sampling seasons, and the effect was statistically significant in all seasons except in autumn. Mixed exposure analysis revealed a potential positive trend between NEOs and newborn TL, but the association was not statistically significant. Prenatal exposure to TMX may shorten newborn TL, and this effect is more pronounced among female newborns. Furthermore, the relationship between NEO exposure and TL may be modified by the sampling season. • Exposures to NEOs during pregnancy may be linked to altered newborn TL. • Prenatal exposure to TMX may shorten newborn TL, especially in female. • This is the first evidence for the relationship between NEO exposure and newborn TL. • The sampling season may play an important role in this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incorrect use of neonicotinoid pesticides poses a serious threat to human and pollinator health, as these substances are commonly present in bee products and even drinking water. To combat this threat, the study developed a new method of degrading the pesticide imidacloprid using surface discharge cold plasma oxidation technology. The study showed that this method achieved a very high efficiency of imidacloprid degradation of 91.4%. The main reactive oxygen species (H 2 O 2 , O 3 , · OH, O 2 -, 1O 2) effectively participated in the decomposition reaction of imidacloprid. Reactive oxygen species were more sensitive to the structure of the nitroimine group. Density functional theory (DFT) further explored the sites of reactive oxygen species attack on imidacloprid and revealed the process of energy change of attacking imidacloprid. In addition, a degradation pathway for imidacloprid was proposed, mainly involving reactive oxygen species chemisorption, a ring-opening intermediate, and complete cleavage of the nitroimine group structure. Model predictions indicated that acute oral and developmental toxicity were significantly reduced after cold plasma treatment, as confirmed by insect experiments. Animal experiments have shown that plasma treatment reduces imidacloprid damage to mice hippocampal tissue structure and inhibits the reduction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor content, thus revealing the detoxification mechanism of the body. [Display omitted] • A new energy-efficient method for discharge cold plasma degradation of imidacloprid is proposed. • 91.4% of imidacloprid was removed in the cold plasma system within 40 min. • 1O 2 , O 2 –and •OH generated in the cold plasma process contributed to imidacloprid decomposition. • The sensitive sites for ROS attack on imidacloprid molecules were predicted by DFT calculations. • Possible imidacloprid degradation pathways and toxicity assessment are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]