Novel Cyclopenta[c]pyridine Derivatives Based on Natural Cerbinal as Potential Agrochemical Anti-TMV Agents and Insecticides.

Based on natural cerbinal, a series of novel 4-bit modified cyclopenta[c]pyridine derivatives containing a substituted amide or ester moiety were designed and synthesized for the first time. Their structures were systematically characterized by NMR and high-resolution mass spectra (HRMS). The anti-TMV activities, such as protection, inactivation, and curative effects in vivo, were evaluated methodically. The lethal activities of the target compounds against the agriculturally common pests Plutella xylostella larvae and Aphis laburni kaltenbach were evaluated by the immersion method. The bioassay results indicated that most of the target compounds exhibited good to excellent anti-TMV activity levels, good lethal activity against P. xylostella larvae at 600 µg/mL, and greater insecticidal activities against A. laburni Kaltenbach compared to the plant-derived insecticide rotenone. The binding mode of cerbinal and cyclopenta[c]pyridine derivatives 4b, 4p, and 4v with the TMV protein was studied with a molecular docking method, which indicated that the functional group of the 2- and 4-positions is vital for anti-TMV activity. The systematic research provides strong evidence that these novel 4-bit modified cyclopenta[c]pyridine derivatives could become potential agrochemical insecticides and anti-TMV agents.

Core Soil Microorganisms and Abiotic Properties as Key Mechanisms of Complementary Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron and Nitrification Inhibitors in Decreasing Paclobutrazol Residues and Nitrous Oxide Emissions.

Agrochemical residues and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions have caused considerable threats to agricultural soil ecology. Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) and nitrification inhibitors might be complementary to each other to diminish soil agrochemical residues and N2O emissions and enhance soil bacterial community diversities. Compared to the control, the nZVI application declined soil paclobutrazol residues by 5.9% but also decreased the bacterial community co-occurrence network node. Combined nZVI and Dicyandiamide applications significantly decreased soil N2O emission rates and paclobutrazol residues but promoted Shannon diversity of the bacterial community. The increased soil pH, ammonium nitrogen, and Actinobacteriota could promote soil paclobutrazol dissipation. The nZVI generated double-edged sword effects of positively decreasing paclobutrazol residues and N2O emissions but negatively influencing soil multifunctionalities. The nZVI and Dicyandiamide could be complementary to each other in diminishing soil agrochemical residues and N2O emission rates but promoting soil bacterial community diversities simultaneously.

Assessment of the three-test genetic toxicology battery for groundwater metabolites.

The two-test in vitro battery for genotoxicity testing (Ames and micronucleus) has in the majority of cases replaced the three-test battery (as two-test plus mammalian cell gene mutation assay) for the routine testing of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agrochemical metabolites originating from food and feed as well as from water treatment. The guidance for testing agrochemical groundwater metabolites, however, still relies on the three-test battery. Data collated in this study from 18 plant protection and related materials highlights the disparity between the often negative Ames and in vitro chromosome aberration data and frequently positive in vitro mammalian cell gene mutation assays. Sixteen of the 18 collated materials with complete datasets were Ames negative, and overall had negative outcomes in in vitro chromosome damage tests (weight of evidence from multiple tests). Mammalian cell gene mutation assays (HPRT and/or mouse lymphoma assay (MLA)) were positive in at least one test for every material with this data. Where both MLA and HPRT tests were performed on the same material, the HPRT seemed to give fewer positive responses. In vivo follow-up tests included combinations of comet assays, unscheduled DNA synthesis, and transgenic rodent gene mutation assays, all gave negative outcomes. The inclusion of mammalian cell gene mutation assays in a three-test battery for groundwater metabolites is therefore not justified and leads to unnecessary in vivo follow-up testing.

Chemical elements in Elaeis guineensis materials and derived oil.

The production of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) in Southeast Asia is vital to the economies of Indonesia and Malaysia. Both fertilisers and pesticides used in palm production can contain elevated concentrations of Trace Elements (TEs) which may accumulate in soils and leaf tissues of plants. We hypothesised that leaves from oil palms may be deficient in essential elements, while containing elevated concentrations of non-essential TEs commonly found in agrichemicals. Samples of plant materials (leaves and fruitlets) were collected from active and former plantations in Sumatra, Indonesia, and analysed for essential and non-essential elements. Indonesian palm oil samples were sourced in New Zealand and their elemental concentrations determined. Leaf materials from both active and abandoned production sites were deficient in N, K, S and Mo, while leaf materials from abandoned sites were deficient in P. These deficiencies may have been a contributing factor to the abandonment of production at these sites. Concentrations of non-essential elements were below or comparable to average plant concentrations and no evidence of contamination was found in plant tissues. Palm oil contained low concentrations of TEs, which did not pose any toxicity risks. However, Na and Al were present in concentrations of 1198 and 159 mg kg-1 respectively, which were higher than have been previously reported. Tropical oil palm production could benefit from the determination of bioaccumulation factors for fertiliser contaminants in E. guineensis, to limit the transfer of contaminants to plants and products if increased fertiliser applications were used to correct nutrient deficiencies.

Chitosan- and gallic acid-based (NPF) displayed antibacterial activity against three Pseudomonas spp. plant pathogens and boosted systemic acquired resistance in kiwifruit and olive plants.

BACKGROUD: Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), P. syringae pv. tomato (Pst) and P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi (Psav) are bacterial plant pathogens with worldwide impact that are mainly managed by the preventive application of cupric salts. These are dangerous for ecosystems and have favoured the selection of resistant strains, so they are candidates to be replaced in the next few years. Thus, there is an urgent need to find efficient and bio-based solutions to mitigate these bacterial plant diseases. Nanotechnology could represent an innovative way to control plant diseases, providing alternative solutions to the agrochemicals traditionally employed, thanks to the formulation of the so-called third-generation and nanotechnology-based agrochemicals. RESULTS: In this work, a novel nanostructured formulation (NPF) composed of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as carrier, high amylose starch (HAS) as excipient, and chitosan (CH) and gallic acid (GA) as antimicrobials, was tested at 2% in vitro and in vivo with respect to the three different Pseudomonas plant pathogens. In vitro agar assays demonstrated that the NPF inhibited ≤80% Psa, Pst and Psav. Moreover, the NPF did not decrease biofilm synthesis and it did not influence bacterial cells flocculation and adhesion. On plants, the NPF displayed complete biocompatibility and boosted the transcript levels of the major systemic acquired resistance responsive genes in kiwifruit and olive plants. CONCLUSION: This works provides novel and valuable information regarding the several modes-of-action of the novel NPF, which could potentially be useful to mitigate Psa, Pst and Psav infections even in organic agriculture. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the enantioselective multiresidue determination of nine chiral agrochemicals in urine using an enrichment procedure based on graphitized carbon black.

Many agrochemicals are chiral molecules, and most of them are marketed as racemates or diastereomeric mixtures. Stereoisomers that are not the active enantiomer have little or no pesticidal activity and can exert serious toxic effects towards non-target organisms. Thus, investigating the possible exposure to different isomers of chiral pesticides is an urgent need. The present work was aimed at developing a new enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous determination of nine chiral pesticides in urine. Two solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedures, based on different carbon-based sorbents (graphitized carbon black (GCB) and buckypaper (BP)), were developed and compared. By using GCB, all analytes were recovered with yields ranging from 60 to 97%, while BP allowed recoveries greater than 54% for all pesticides except those with acid characteristics. Baseline separation was achieved for the enantiomers of all target agrochemicals on a Lux Cellulose-2 column within 24 min under reversed-phase mode. The developed method was then validated according to the FDA guidelines for bioanalytical methods. Besides recovery, the other evaluated parameters were precision (7-15%), limits of detection (0.26-2.21 µg/L), lower limits of quantitation (0.43-3.68 µg/L), linear dynamic range, and sensitivity. Finally, the validated method was applied to verify the occurrence of the pesticide enantiomers in urine samples from occupationally exposed workers.

INCA edita nota pública contra “PL do Veneno”, que incentiva uso de agrotóxicos no Brasil

O Projeto de Lei 1.459, de 2022, que reduz as competências de órgãos fiscalizadores e flexibiliza o registro de produtos (agrotóxicos) mutagênicos, cancerígenos, teratogênicos e tóxicos para o sistema reprodutivo, foi aprovado pelo Senado no início do mês e seguiu para sanção presidente Lula da Silva. A aprovação pelo Senado ignorou consulta pública na qual 80% dos respondentes votaram contra o PL. A oposição do INCA ao PL do Veneno não é de agora, como o destaca a nota pública do Instituto: “Em 2015, o INCA publicou o seu primeiro posicionamento acerca dos agrotóxicos, ressaltando os impactos nocivos à saúde humana e ambiental decorrentes da exposição a esse contaminante químico. Na ocasião, recomendou a redução gradativa do seu uso até a sua eliminação por completo, bem como apoiou e incentivou a agricultura agroecológica, para a promoção da saúde e prevenção do câncer na população do campo e da cidade. Em 2018, manifestou-se oportunamente contrário ao PL 6.299/2002, destacando os problemas relacionados ao afrouxamento do processo de registros dos agrotóxicos no País para a saúde humana.”

[Proof of life, proof of death: An anthropology of cancer among rural teachers exposed to agrochemicals in southeastern Cordoba (Argentina)]. / Pruebas de vida, pruebas de muerte: Antropología del cáncer entre docentes rurales expuestas a agroquímicos en el sudeste de Córdoba (Argentina).

This article presents the results of anthropological research on cancer among rural teachers occupationally exposed to agrochemicals. The study was carried out in the southeastern region of the province of Cordoba (Argentina), an area characterized by the large-scale production of transgenic crops intensively treated with agricultural pesticides. Regarding the methodology, fieldwork was conducted between 2019 and 2020 and included in-depth interviews with ten teachers, as well as observations of everyday situations in the towns where they live and work. Among the main findings, it was possible to identify a hegemonic narrative that naturalizes the existence of cancer and renders it invisible; despite this, it was possible to document the social suffering it caused among rural teachers. The article concludes that there is a need to bring visibility to these conditions in order to protect the health and wellbeing of this sector of Argentine teaching professionals.

En este artículo se presentan resultados de una investigación antropológica sobre el cáncer entre docentes rurales expuestas ocupacionalmente a agroquímicos. El estudio se desarrolló en la zona sudeste de la provincia de Córdoba (Argentina), caracterizada por la producción a gran escala de cultivos transgénicos tratados de manera intensiva con plaguicidas agrícolas. A nivel metodológico, el trabajo de campo realizado entre 2019 y 2020 incluyó entrevistas en profundidad a diez docentes y observación de situaciones de la vida cotidiana en los poblados donde vivían y trabajaban estas docentes. Se propone como hallazgo principal que existe una narrativa hegemónica que naturaliza e invisibiliza la existencia del cáncer pero que, a pesar de ella, es posible documentar los padecimientos individuales y sociales que esta enfermedad provoca entre las docentes rurales. Se concluye que es necesario visibilizar esos padecimientos para resguardar la salud y la vida de este sector de la docencia argentina.

Sulfoxaflor effects depend on the interaction with other pesticides and Nosema ceranae infection in the honey bee (Apis mellifera).

Honey bees health is compromised by many factors such as the use of agrochemicals in agriculture and the various diseases that can affect them. Multiple studies have shown that these factors can interact, producing a synergistic effect that can compromise the viability of honey bees. This study analyses the interactions between different pesticides and the microsporidium Nosema ceranae and their effect on immune and detoxification gene expression, sugar consumption and mortality in the Iberian western honey bee (Apis mellifera iberiensis). For this purpose, workers were infected with N. ceranae and subjected to a sugar-water diet with field concentrations of the pesticides sulfoxaflor, azoxystrobin and glyphosate. Increased sugar intake and altered immune and cytochrome P450 gene expression were observed in workers exposed to sulfoxaflor and infected with N. ceranae. None of the pesticides affected Nosema spore production in honey bee gut. Of the three pesticides tested (alone or in combination) only sulfoxaflor increased mortality in honey bees. Taken together, our results suggest that the effects of sulfoxaflor were attenuated in contact with other pesticides, and that Nosema infection leads to increase sugar intake in sulfoxaflor-exposed bees. Overall, this underlines the importance of studying the interaction between different stressors to understand their overall impact not only on honey bee but also on wild bees health.

Increased Cell Proliferation as a Key Event in Chemical Carcinogenesis: Application in an Integrated Approach for the Testing and Assessment of Non-Genotoxic Carcinogenesis.

In contrast to genotoxic carcinogens, there are currently no internationally agreed upon regulatory tools for identifying non-genotoxic carcinogens of human relevance. The rodent cancer bioassay is only used in certain regulatory sectors and is criticized for its limited predictive power for human cancer risk. Cancer is due to genetic errors occurring in single cells. The risk of cancer is higher when there is an increase in the number of errors per replication (genotoxic agents) or in the number of replications (cell proliferation-inducing agents). The default regulatory approach for genotoxic agents whereby no threshold is set is reasonably conservative. However, non-genotoxic carcinogens cannot be regulated in the same way since increased cell proliferation has a clear threshold. An integrated approach for the testing and assessment (IATA) of non-genotoxic carcinogens is under development at the OECD, considering learnings from the regulatory assessment of data-rich substances such as agrochemicals. The aim is to achieve an endorsed IATA that predicts human cancer better than the rodent cancer bioassay, using methodologies that equally or better protect human health and are superior from the view of animal welfare/efficiency. This paper describes the technical opportunities available to assess cell proliferation as the central gateway of an IATA for non-genotoxic carcinogenicity.

Receptor model-based source-specific health risks of toxic metal(loid)s in coal basin-induced agricultural soil in northwest Bangladesh.

Toxic metal(loid)s (TMLs) in agricultural soils cause detrimental effects on ecosystem and human health. Therefore, source-specific health risk apportionment is very crucial for the prevention and control of TMLs in agricultural soils. In this study, 149 surface soil samples were taken from a coal mining region in northwest Bangladesh and analyzed for 12 TMLs (Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn, Cu, As, Se, and Hg). Positive matrix factorization (PMF) and absolute principal component score-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR) receptor models were employed to quantify the pollution sources of soil TMLs. Both models identified five possible sources of pollution: agrochemical practice, industrial emissions, coal-power-plant, geogenic source, and atmospheric deposition, while the contribution rates of each source were calculated as 28.2%, 17.2%, 19.3%, 19% and 16.3% in APCS-MLR, 22.2%, 13.4%, 24.3%, 15.1% and 25.1% in PMF, respectively. Agrochemical practice was the major source of non-carcinogenic risk (NCR) (adults: 32.37%, children: 31.54%), while atmospheric deposition was the highest source of carcinogenic risk (CR) (adults: 48.83%, children: 50.11%). NCR and CR values for adults were slightly higher than for children. However, the trends in NCR and CR between children and adults were similar. As a result, among the sources of pollution, agrochemical practices and atmospheric deposition have been identified as the primary sources of soil TMLs, so prevention and control strategies should be applied primarily for these pollution sources in order to protect human health.

Agrotóxicos e adoecimento: visão de mulheres rurais / Pesticides and illness: rural women's view

Objetivo: Compreender como mulheres que vivem e trabalham na agricultura familiar entendem a associação entre uso de agrotóxicos e adoecimento. Metodologia: estudo qualitativo descritivo, realizado com 29 mulheres, em município do sul do Brasil, com dados coletados de janeiro a junho de 2018, através de questionário socioeconômico e entrevista aberta, tratados por meio da análise temática. Resultados: emergiram três unidades temáticas: faz mal, mas não conseguem explicar; causa doenças segundo vivências ou informações advindas de familiares e comunidade; afeta a saúde da população em geral e não só dos trabalhadores rurais. Considerações finais: A diversidade nos entendimentos indica que há oportunidades locais para a discussão do tema por meio da educação em saúde, como estratégia para a promoção da saúde da população rural, a partir de uma perspectiva de gênero. Nesse sentido, deve ser considerada a importância da literacia para a promoção da saúde.(AU)

Objective: To understand how women who live and work in family farming understand the association between pesticide use and illness. Methodology: a descriptive qualitative study, conducted with 29 women in a municipality in southern Brazil, with data collected from January to June 2018, through a socioeconomic questionnaire and an open interview, treated through thematic analysis. Results: three thematic units emerged: it is bad, but they cannot explain it; it causes diseases according to experiences or information from family members and the community; it affects the health of the population in general and not only of rural workers. Final considerations: The diversity of understandings indicates that there are local opportunities to discuss the topic through health education, as a strategy for promoting the health of the rural population, from a gender perspective. In this sense, the importance of literacy for health promotion should be considered.(AU)

Objetivo: Comprender cómo las mujeres que viven y trabajan en la agricultura familiar entienden la asociación entre el uso de plaguicidas y la enfermedad. Metodología: estudio cualitativo descriptivo, realizado con 29 mujeres, en un municipio del sur de Brasil, con datos recogidos de enero a junio de 2018, a través de un cuestionario socioeconómico y entrevista abierta, tratados a través de análisis temático. Resultados: surgieron tres unidades temáticas: es malo, pero no saben explicarlo; causa enfermedades según experiencias o informaciones de familiares y de la comunidad; afecta la salud de la población en general y no sólo de los trabajadores rurales. Consideraciones finales: La diversidad de comprensiones indica que existen oportunidades locales para discutir el tema a través de la educación en salud, como estrategia de promoción de la salud de la población rural, desde una perspectiva de género. En este sentido, se debe considerar la importancia de la alfabetización para la promoción de la salud.(AU)

Recent Development of Versatile Polyphenol Platforms in Fertilizers and Pesticides.

The utilization of agrochemicals has been of significant importance in both the cultivation and disease control of crops. The development of advanced agrochemicals that are both effective and eco-friendly has been made possible through the use of slow delivery platforms and surface modification technology. Inspired by the nature of mussel adhesion, polyphenolic platforms with versatile properties have been extensively employed in various applications, including agro-food, owing to their ability to flexibly modulate chemical and surface characteristics. This mini-review highlights the development of polyphenols, such as polydopamine and tannic acid, in the field of agrochemicals, particularly in the design and production of novel fertilizers and pesticides. The synthetic approach, active ingredient release performance, foliar adhesion, and design of polyphenolic-based agrochemicals in recent years have been discussed to explore their potential applications and limitations. We believe that utilizing versatile polyphenolic materials and their characteristics for agro-food applications can provide innovative ideas and suggestions for developing novel agrochemicals suitable for modern and sustainable horticulture and agriculture.

Target and non-target analysis of organochlorine pesticides and their transformation products in an agrochemical-contaminated area.

Organochlorine pesticides show biological toxicity and their degradation typically takes many years. Previous studies of agrochemical-contaminated areas have mainly focused on limited target compounds, and emerging pollutants in soil have been overlooked. In this study, we collected soil samples from an abandoned agrochemical-contaminated area. Target analysis and non-target suspect screening by gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry were combined for qualitative and quantitative analysis of organochlorine pollutants. Target analysis showed that dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) were the main pollutants. With concentrations between 3.96 × 106 and 1.38 × 107 ng/g, these compounds posed significant health risks at the contaminated site. Non-target suspect screening identified 126 organochlorine compounds, most of which were chlorinated hydrocarbons and 90% of the compounds contained a benzene ring structure. The possible transformation pathways of DDT were inferred from proven pathways and the compounds identified by non-target suspect screening that had similar structures to DDT. This study will be useful for studies of the degradation mechanism of DDT. Semi-quantitative and hierarchical cluster analysis of compounds in soil showed that the distribution of contaminants in soil was influenced by the types of pollution sources and distance to them. Twenty-two contaminants were found in the soil at relatively high concentrations. The toxicities of 17 of these compounds are currently not known. These results improve our understanding of the environmental behavior of organochlorine contaminants in soil and are useful for further risk assessments of agrochemical-contaminated areas.

Structure, Functionality, Compatibility with Pesticides and Beneficial Microbes, and Potential Applications of a New Delivery System Based on Ink-Jet Technology.

Accurate application of agrochemicals is an important way to achieve efficient use of chemicals and to combine limited pollution with effective control of weeds, pests, and diseases. In this context, we investigate the potential application of a new delivery system based on ink-jet technology. First, we describe the structure and functionality of ink-jet technology for agrochemical delivery. We then evaluate the compatibility of ink-jet technology with a range of pesticides (four herbicides, eight fungicides, and eight insecticides) and beneficial microbes, including fungi and bacteria. Finally, we investigated the feasibility of using ink-jet technology in a microgreens production system. The ink-jet technology was compatible with herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and beneficial microbes that remained functional after passing through the system. In addition, ink-jet technology demonstrated higher area performance compared to standard nozzles under laboratory conditions. Finally, the application of ink-jet technology to microgreens, which are characterized by small plants, was successful and opened the possibility of full automation of the pesticide application system. The ink-jet system proved to be compatible with the main classes of agrochemicals and showed significant potential for application in protected cropping systems.

Novel cinnamic acid derivatives as a versatile tool for developing agrochemicals for controlling plant virus and bacterial diseases by enhancing plant defense responses.

BACKGROUND: Plant pathogens have led to large yield and quality losses in crops worldwide. The discovery and study of novel agrochemical alternatives based on the chemical modification of bioactive natural products is a highly efficient approach. Here, two series of novel cinnamic acid derivatives incorporating diverse building blocks with alternative linking patterns were designed and synthesized to identify their antiviral capacity and antibacterial activity. RESULTS: The bioassay results demonstrated that most cinnamic acid derivatives had excellent antiviral competence toward tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in vivo, especially compound A5 (median effective concentration [EC50 ] = 287.7 µg mL-1 ), which had a notable protective effect against TMV when compared with the commercial virucide ribavirin (EC50  = 622.0 µg mL-1 ). In addition, compound A17 had a protective efficiency of 84.3% at 200 µg mL-1 against Xac in plants. Given these outstanding results, the engineered title compounds could be regarded as promising leads for controlling plant virus and bacterial diseases. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that compound A5 could enhance the host's defense responses by increasing the activity of defense enzymes and upregulating defense genes, thereby suppressing phytopathogen invasion. CONCLUSION: This research lays a foundation for the practical application of cinnamic acid derivatives containing diverse building blocks with alternative linking patterns in pesticide exploration. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Complementary peptides represent a credible alternative to agrochemicals by activating translation of targeted proteins.

The current agriculture main challenge is to maintain food production while facing multiple threats such as increasing world population, temperature increase, lack of agrochemicals due to health issues and uprising of weeds resistant to herbicides. Developing novel, alternative, and safe methods is hence of paramount importance. Here, we show that complementary peptides (cPEPs) from any gene can be designed to target specifically plant coding genes. External application of synthetic peptides increases the abundance of the targeted protein, leading to related phenotypes. Moreover, we provide evidence that cPEPs can be powerful tools in agronomy to improve plant traits, such as growth, resistance to pathogen or heat stress, without the needs of genetic approaches. Finally, by combining their activity they can also be used to reduce weed growth.

Applications of nanotechnology to combat the problems associated with modern food.

Currently, modern lifestyle diseases (LSD) such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and thyroid disease are commonly seen among people of different age groups. One of the root causes of this LSD is the type of food that we are eating. Staple crops like rice, sugarcane, vegetables and wheat are grown with the application of agrochemicals (e.g., glyphosate), traces of which are found in our food; after that, it gets ultra-processed in factories; e.g., chips and snacks are fried using saturated fats (trans fat); sugar and wheat (derivatives bread, buns, cookies) are processed using toxic chemicals (bleaching agents). As a result, the nutritional value of food is compromised due to low dietary fiber content and synthetic additives - e.g., sucralose (artificial sweetener) - which promotes inflammation and weakens our immune system, causing our body to become sensitive to microbial infection and many other LSDs. To strengthen the immune system, people start taking synthetically prepared supplements and drugs for a prolonged time, which further deteriorates the body organs and their normal function; e.g., prolonged medication for hypothyroidism poses a risk of heart attack and joint pain. Nanotechnology solves the above problems in the food, nutraceuticals and agriculture sectors. Nanotechnology-based naturally processed products such as nano-nutraceuticals, nanofood, nanofertilizers and nanopesticides will benefit our health. They possess desirable properties such as high bioavailability, targeted delivery, least processing and sustained release. With the help of nanotechnology, we can get nutritional and agrochemical-free food. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Towards achieving a modern science-based paradigm for agrochemical carcinogenicity assessment.

The rodent cancer bioassay has been the standard approach to fulfill regulatory requirements for assessing human carcinogenic potential of agrochemicals, food additives, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Decades of research have described the limitations of the rodent cancer bioassay leading to international initiatives to seek alternatives and establish approaches that modernize carcinogenicity assessment. Biologically relevant approaches can provide mechanistic information and increased efficiency for evaluating hazard and risk of chemical carcinogenicity to humans. The application of human-relevant mechanistic understanding to support new approaches to carcinogenicity assessment will be invaluable for regulatory decision-making. The present work outlines the challenges and opportunities that authorities should consider as they come together to build a roadmap that leads to global acceptance and incorporation of fit-for-purpose, scientifically defensible new approaches for human-relevant carcinogenicity assessment of agrochemicals.

Tendência dos acidentes de trabalho no agronegócio em Mato Grosso, Brasil, 2008 a 2017 / Agribusiness occupational accidents trend in Mato Grosso, Brazil, 2008 to 2017

Objetivo: analisar a distribuição espacial e temporal dos indicadores de acidentes de trabalho (AT) e de outros agravos à saúde relacionados à produção agropecuária de Mato Grosso, no período de 2008 a 2017. Métodos: trata-se de estudo ecológico, com análise de tendência e correlação entre indicadores de produção agropecuária, florestal, mineral e AT. Resultados: as atividades econômicas do agronegócio com maior contribuição aos AT foram: abate e fabricação de produtos de carnes (16,9%) e agricultura (12,3%). Taxas de AT mais elevadas foram observadas nos municípios considerados os maiores produtores agropecuários (Paranatinga, Barra do Garças, Alta Floresta e Sorriso). Evidenciou-se que 58,4% dos AT no estado foram relacionados ao agronegócio. Foi encontrada correlação positiva e significativa entre o valor adicionado bruto e a taxa de incidência (r = 0,303; p < 0,001), mortalidade (r = 0,368; p < 0,001) e letalidade (r = 0,390; p < 0,001) por AT. Identificou-se tendência crescente na variação percentual anual de 7,3% (IC95%: 6,1;8,6) do esforço produtivo (hectare/habitante), de 6,2% (IC95%: 5,2;7,3) do esforço produtivo (exposição agrotóxico/habitante) e de 6,2% (IC95%: 4,1;8,3) das internações por neoplasias, bem como do crescimento da produção agrícola, dos insumos agrícolas e dos agravos à saúde. Conclusão: a maioria dos AT foram relacionados ao agronegócio, predominantemente nas atividades de frigoríficos e agricultura. Houve correlação positiva entre indicadores de produção agropecuária e de ocorrências e mortes por AT.

Objective: to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of occupational accident (OA) indicators and other agribusiness-related health issues in Mato Grosso, Brazil, from 2008 to 2017. Methods: ecological study using trend analysis and correlation calculation between agricultural, forestry, mineral production and OA indicators. Results: slaughtering and meat production (16.9%) and agriculture (12.3%) were the agribusiness activities with the highest contribution to OA. Municipalities considered the largest agricultural producers (Paratininga, Barra do Garças, Alta Floresta and Sorriso) showed the highest OA rates. Of the OA registered in the state, 58.4% were agribusiness-related. Gross value added presented a positive and significant correlation with the incidence rate (r = 0.303; p < 0.001), mortality (r = 0.368; p < 0.001) and lethality (r = 0.390; p < 0.001) by OA. Analysis showed an increasing trend in the annual percentage variation of 7.3% (95%CI: 6.1;8.6) in productive effort (hectare/ inhabitant), 6.2% (95%CI: 5.2;7.3) in productive effort (pesticide exposure/inhabitant), and 6.2% (95%CI: 4.1;8.3) in hospitalizations for neoplasms, as well as the growth of agricultural production, agricultural inputs, and health problems. Conclusion: most OAs were related to agribusiness, mainly in meatpacking plants and agriculture. There was a positive correlation between indicators of agricultural production and occupational-related accidents and deaths.