Simple preparation of nitenpyram-intercalated clay nanosheets with reduced leaching risk and improved safety to insect pollinators.

Neonicotinoids, highly toxic to insects, are among the world's most used insecticides. However, their harmful effects on pollinators like honeybees and potential to contaminate water bodies have drawn significant criticism. Herein, a nanopesticide, NTP@LDH, was developed by intercalating the model neonicotinoid insecticide nitenpyram (NTP) within layered double hydroxide (LDH) materials using a simple one-pot method. The NTP@LDH showed a nano-sized sheet structure, with an average particle size of 206.2 nm and a loading capacity of 14.6 %. The release rate of NTP@LDH under acidic conditions was higher than that under alkaline or neutral conditions. The photodegradation capacity and insecticidal activity of NTP were unaffected by intercalation in LDH. Importantly, NTP@LDH could significantly enhance the foliar adhesive properties of NTP, retard its leaching through the soil, and improve its safety for honeybees. Moreover, LDH was safe for crops and can improve their growth. This work provides a promising strategy with a simple procedure that could reduce leaching risks of neonicotinoids while concurrently enhancing their safety to pollinating creatures.

Residual levels and dietary intake risk assessment of 11 pesticides in apricots from different ecological planting regions in China.

The frequent and massive use of pesticides has led to pesticide residues in apricot, threatening food safety and human health. A reliable and simple modified QuEChERS method with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the simultaneous determination of 11 pesticides in apricot. Method validation indicated that satisfied linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9959), accuracy (recoveries of 72-119%), sensitivity (limits of detection, 0.03-0.30 µg/kg; limits of quantification, 0.13-1.00 µg/kg), and precision (relative standard deviations ≤ 11.9%), and matrix effects were 0.89-1.13. Apricot samples from different ecological regions in China were collected and tested using the proposed methods. Monitoring results were used to assess the dietary intake risk of Chinese populations of different ages and genders. Dietary risk assessment revealed that the risk quotients were 0.003-1.184% for different gender and age groups in China, indicating none unacceptable public health risk for general population. This work was thus significant in developing a simpler, more efficient and economical analysis method and food safety risks of the 11 pesticides on apricot and facilitated the establishment of maximum residue limits.