Oxidative response to accumulation of trace metals in tissue of two bivalves, the Asian green mussel Perna viridis and the blood cockle Tegillarca granosa, living in Pattani Bay, Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: Using bivalves to indicate aquatic pollutants was favorable for discerning the negative effects of high levels of metal accumulation in tissue. We investigated the correlation between trace metal accumulation and the tissue oxidative response of two bivalves. METHODS: The Asian green mussel Perna viridis and the blood cockle Tegillarca granosa were sampled along with seawater and sediments from three locations around Pattani Bay, Thailand. Accumulation of nine trace metals (cadmium, cobalt, copper, chromium, nickel, manganese, iron, zinc, and lead) in seawater, sediments, and tissue and the oxidative tissue response were evaluated. Metal bioaccumulation factor, biota-sediment accumulation factor, and histopathology were also indicated. RESULT: The present study found that P. viridis and T. granosa were macroconcentrators and bioaccumulative of cadmium, and their tissue accumulation of cadmium was strongly related to lipid peroxidation activation. Perna viridis exhibited a higher oxidative response than T. granosa, as indicated by malondialdehyde, catalase, and reduced glutathione levels. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that P. viridis and T. granosa were macroconcentrators and bioaccumulative of cadmium, and their tissue accumulation of cadmium was strongly related to lipid peroxidation activation. Research has shown discernible negative effects of a high level of metal accumulation in tissue, and deformed and damaged tissues were present in the gills, digestive glands, intestines, and feet of P. viridis and T. granosa.

Environmental factors induced crop raiding by wild Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) in the Eastern Economic Corridor, Thailand.

Crop raiding are an increasing concern in wildlife conservation. This study identified the environmental factors that cause wild Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) to enter sub-urban and rural areas and share resources with humans in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in the eastern part of Thailand. The snowball method was used to interview villagers that had crop raiding experienced in seven provinces of the EEC and adjacent provinces in the eastern part of Thailand in 2020, and data from 183 households indicated that crop raiding had increased continuously from 2000 to 2020, especially in Chonburi, Chachoengsao, and Prachinburi provinces, which have seen increases in damaged agricultural areas. MaxEnt analysis showed an increase in incidents of crop raiding, while the elephants distribution area decreased from 9534 km2 in 2000 to 5199 km2 in 2010 and 4850 km2 in 2020. The study area has had land use changes in the low elevations from croplands of cassava and sugar cane to eucalyptus, para rubber, and fruits. These mixed crop plantations provide a pseudo-habitat for wild Asian elephants. The results from this study provide evidence that changes in land use and reduction of suitable habitat are factors that influenced the movement of wild Asian elephants to the rural agricultural areas and increased the incidents of crop raiding.

Human Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Seafood Collected from Pattani Bay, Thailand.

A significant impact of marine pollution is the contamination of seafood which has raised concerns due to its potential human health risks. This current study investigated seasonal bioaccumulation of 9 heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in 14 commercially important seafood species, including 4 fish, 5 molluscs, and 5 crustacean species. Samples were collected from Pattani Bay, Pattani province, Thailand, during the dry (July 2020) and wet (February 2021) seasons. The edible samples were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The bioaccumulation trend of heavy metals decreased in the sequence of molluscs > crustaceans > fish. The possible human health risks associated with heavy metal-contaminated seafood consumption were assessed. The parameters investigated for non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic were target hazard quotient (THQ), total hazard index (HI), and target cancer risk (TR). The average ranges of THQs (7.79 × 10−8−8.97 × 10−3), HIs (4.30 × 10−5−1.55 × 10−2), and TRs (2.70 × 10−9−1.34 × 10−5) were observed in the studied seafood species. The results revealed no non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks from consuming these 14 kinds of seafood.

Exposure Assessment of Multiple Mycotoxins in Black and White Sesame Seeds Consumed in Thailand.

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of 16 well-recognized and emerging mycotoxins in black and white sesame seed samples sold in Thailand and to evaluate possible health risks to consumers. Samples were extracted and cleaned with a modified QuEChERS procedure. Multiple mycotoxins in sesame seed samples were analyzed with a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. The risk of mycotoxin exposure via dietary intake of sesame seeds was evaluated based on the hazard quotient, margin of exposure (MOE), and quantitative liver cancer risk established by European Food Safety Authority, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the World Health Organization. Of the 200 samples, 21.5% were contaminated with mycotoxins, 19.5% were contaminated with a single mycotoxin, and 2% were contaminated with multiple mycotoxins. Although 9% of total samples were contaminated with aflatoxins (AFs), only one black sesame seed sample and one white sesame seed sample were above the regulatory limits for the European Union (2 µg/kg). The MOE values derived from consumption of black and white sesame seeds were generally <10,000, especially in the group consuming the most. The number of liver cancer cases over a lifetime associated with AFB1 exposure based on the upper bound values for the group consuming high level of black and white sesame seeds (97.5 percentile) was estimated at more than 1 case per one million persons. Therefore, a potential risk to consumer health exists through the consumption of black and white sesame seeds and subsequent exposure to AFB1. However, further evaluation with larger sample sizes is necessary for more accurate calculations. Continuous monitoring of mycotoxin contamination in sesame seeds with risk assessments is recommended.

Evaluation of Aflatoxin Concentrations and Occurrence of Potentially Toxigenic Fungi in Imported Chia Seeds Consumed in Thailand.

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to investigate possible contamination by aflatoxins (AFs) and aflatoxigenic fungi in imported chia seeds consumed in Thailand. A survey was performed on 100 samples of imported chia seeds collected from supermarkets and health food stores in Bangkok from May 2017 to February 2018. Ten mold species belonging to Aspergillus and Penicillium were isolated, and Aspergillus flavus was the most prevalent aflatoxigenic fungi. Chia seed samples were cleaned with an immunoaffinity column and analyzed for AFs by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection using precolumn derivatization. AFs were detected in 40% of total samples at concentrations of 0.4 to 10.99 ng/g. Among the positive samples, three were contaminated with total AFs at concentrations higher than the European Union regulatory limit (4 ng/g). The most commonly found AF found in chia seeds was AFB1.

Multiclass analysis of antimicrobial drugs in shrimp muscle by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A reliable, selective and rapid multiclass method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of 55 antibacterial drug residues in shrimp muscle samples by ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The investigated compounds comprise of eight different classes, namely fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides and synergistic agents, tetracyclines, macrolides, lincosamides, penicillins, nitroimidazole and amphenicols. A simple liquid extraction procedure was developed consisting of extraction with a mixture of acetonitrile and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), followed by a defatting step with n-hexane. Chromatographic conditions were optimized, obtaining a running time <10 min. Mean recoveries ranged from 74.3% to 113.3%. For precision test, relative standard deviations (RSD, %) were lower than 15.0% and 24.0% for repeatability and reproducibility, respectively. Limits of detection and quantification ranged from 1.0 to 5.0 ng/g and 3.0-10.0 ng/g, respectively. Finally, the method was applied to real samples and the results demonstrated that enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin and doxycycline were quantifiable in shrimp samples.

Occurrence and Health Risk of Patulin and Pyrethroids in Fruit Juices Consumed in Bangkok, Thailand.

The mycotoxin patulin (PAT) is well known as a natural contaminant of apple- and other fruit-based products. Pesticides are a group of chemicals abundantly used in agriculture to maximize productivity by protecting crops from pests and weeds. Because of their harmful health effects, PAT and pesticides are strictly monitored. The current study was undertaken to investigate the significance of PAT and pyrethroid insecticide contamination in a variety of fruit juices in Bangkok. To do this, a total of 200 fruit juice samples, consisting of 40 samples each of apple, apricot, peach, pineapple, and grape juice, were collected from supermarkets in Bangkok, Thailand. PAT contamination in a variety of fruit juices was detected using validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and pyrethroid insecticides (cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, and flumethrin) were analyzed using a gas chromatography equipped with micro-electron capture detector. The survey found that PAT concentrations were lower than the maximum residue limit established by European Union. The results of the present study suggest that the risk of exposure to harmful levels of PAT, cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, and flumethrin in fruit juices is very low in urban areas of Thailand.

Inhibitory Effects of Thai Essential Oils on Potentially Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus.

　The antiaflatoxigenic and antifungal activities of essential oils (EOs) of finger root (Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf.), pine (Pinus pinaster), rosewood (Aniba rosaedora), Siam benzoin (Styrax tonkinensis), Thai moringa (Moringa oleifera), and ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) were tested for Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus in potato dextrose broth. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was extracted from culture using a QuEChERS-based extraction procedure and analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to a fluorescence detector. EO of pine showed the greatest inhibition of growth and AFB1 production of A. parasiticus, followed by EOs of rosewood, finger root, Siam benzoin, and ylang ylang. EO of finger root gave the best inhibitory effects on A. flavus, followed by EOs of rosewood, pine, ylang ylang, and Siam benzoin. EO of Thai moringa did not show any significant inhibition of aflatoxigenic fungi. The antiaflatoxigenic activities of EOs correlated with their antifungal activities in the dosedependent manner. Comparison of the application of the five selected EOs in peanut pods by direct and vapor exposure indicated that the AFB1 production inhibitory effects of the five EOs by direct exposure were faster and more effective than by vapor exposure. EO of finger root showed the best inhibition of AFB1 production of A. flavus in peanut pods by direct exposure, followed by EOs of pine, rosewood, ylang ylang, and Siam benzoin.

Potential human health risk from consumption of metallic elements-contaminated benthic mollusks from Don Hoi Lot sandbar, Thailand.

Environmental pollutants have raised more concerns for human health risk, especially via consumption of contaminated food. Terrestrial as well as aquatic animals are capable of bioaccumulation a variety of toxic substances including metallic elements. With increasing anthropogenic activities along the coastal areas, living organisms have more chances to be exposed to released contaminants. In this study, seven metallic elements (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were determined in sediments and water from Don Hoi Lot sandbar, Samutsongkharm province, Thailand. Potential human health risks via the consumption of two benthic bivalves Solen corneus (Larmarck, 1818) and Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus, 1758) were also estimated using the target hazard quotients (THQs). The variations of metallic element concentrations were apparent between wet and dry season. Fe was the predominate metallic element in the sediment and the remaining were Mn>Pb>Zn>Ni>Cu>Cd. Whereas metallic element concentrations in water were Pb>Ni>Fe>Zn>Cu>Mn>Cd. PCA analysis confirmed that the contaminations of these metallic elements were from Mae Klong river surface water. Most Pb THQ values in both S. corneus and M. meretrix were >1 indicating that human health risk is of concern. However, the sum of THQs of an individual metallic element should also be considered since multiple metallic elements exposure is so common.

Health risk associated with the consumption of duck egg containing endosulfan residues.

Eight duck farms and a local market in Suphanburi province, Thailand adjacent to paddy fields were selected for this study. The concentrations of endosulfan isomers (α- and ß-endosulfan) and endosulfan sulfate in environmental matrices (water, soil, feed) and duck eggs were determined. Human health risk via the contaminated egg consumption was also evaluated. Analysis of environmental matrices found both endosulfan isomers (α- and ß-endosulfan) and endosulfan sulfate in most samples. Endosulfan sulfate was predominantly found in all matrices followed by ß- and α-endosulfan, respectively. The total endosulfan concentrations were in the following order: feed > soil > water. However, the levels of endosulfan detected were lower than the regulatory maximum residue limit of endosulfan, except in water (>0.200 ng mL(-1)). Endosulfan sulfate in duck egg samples was also predominantly detected in both yolk and albumin. The average total endosulfan residues (∑endosulfan) in yolk (6.73 ng g(-1)) were higher than in albumin (4.78 ng g(-1)). According to principle component analysis, we found that paddy soil surrounding the duck farms is the suspected source of endosulfan contamination in husbandry water which subsequently contaminates duck eggs. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of these endosulfan-contaminated eggs were well below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for endosulfan (6 µg kg(-1) day(-1)). However, the consumption of this contaminated duck eggs should be of concerns in regard to chronic exposure. Therefore, the better environmental managements to reduce endosulfan residues can play a crucial role for decreasing human health risk.

Using Nassarius stolatus as a potential heavy metal biomonitor.

Nassarius stolatus was evaluated as the potential heavy metal (Cd, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb) accumulator in Don Hoi Lot sandbar, Samut Songkhram province, Thailand. This selected species belongs to the Gastropoda, which is widely distributed in the coastal areas from the upper Gulf through the southern part of Thailand. From our findings, the heavy metal accumulations in N. stolatus tissues were Fe > Pb > Mn > Ni > Cd. The retrieved bioaccumulation factor (BAF) indicated that N. Stolatus has high potential to be a biomonitor for the contaminations of Fe and Mn in water and Cd, Ni and Pb in sediment.

Histopathological changes in snail, Pomacea canaliculata, exposed to sub-lethal copper sulfate concentrations.

The acute toxicity test of Cu including range-finding and definitive test, was performed on golden apple snails, Pomacea canaliculata. The median lethal concentrations (LC50) of Cu at exposure times of 24, 48, 72 and 96 h were 330, 223, 177 and 146 µg/L, respectively. P. canaliculata were exposed to Cu at 146 µg/L for 96 h to study bioaccumulation and histopathological alterations in various organs. Snails accumulated elevated levels of Cu in gill, and lesser amounts in the digestive tract, muscle, and digestive gland. Histopathological investigation revealed several alterations in the epithelia of gill, digestive tract (esophagus, intestine, rectum), and digestive gland. The most striking changes were observed in the epithelium of the gill in which there was loss of cilia, an increase in number of mucus cells, and degeneration of columnar cells. Similar changes occurred in digestive tract epithelium. The digestive gland showed moderate alterations, vacuolization and degeneration of cells and an increase in the number of basophilic cells. We concluded that, P. canaliculata has a great potential as a bioindicator for Cu, and a biomarker for monitoring Cu contamination in aquatic environment.

The fate and tissue disposition of deoxynivalenol in broiler chickens.

To evaluate the fate of deoxynivalenol (DON) in broilers, DON was administered either intravenously or orally to broilers at a dose of 1 mg/kg BW. Concentrations of DON in plasma were measurable up to 4 hr and 2 hr after intravenous and oral administration, respectively. Following intravenous administration, the values for the elimination half-life, the volume of distribution and the clearance were 1.25 ± 0.25 hr, 7.55 ± 2.03 l/kg and 4.16 ± 0.42 l/hr/kg, respectively. The oral bioavailability was 15.46 ± 4.02%. DON was detectable in all tissues examined after oral administration. These results suggest that DON is able to penetrate into the various tissues in broilers, though poorly absorbed from their gastrointestinal tract.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in water, sediments, aquatic plant and histopathological effects on the golden apple snail in Beung Boraphet reservoir, Thailand.

Changes in the seasonal concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Pb and Cd) were determined in water, sediments, snails (Pomacea canaliculata) and aquatic plants (Ipomoea aquatica) in three selected tributaries of the Beung Boraphet reservoir, Nakhon Sawan Province, central Thailand. Only Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn were detected by FAAS in all samples collected. The water quality of Beung Boraphet was medium clean with Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn concentrations well below internationally accepted limits. According to the criteria proposed for sediments by the EPA Region V, Zn and Mn concentrations were within the non-polluted range while Fe and Cu (wet season) concentrations fell into the class of severely polluted sediment. Both P. canaliculata and I. aquatica bioconcentrated more Mn in their tissues than were found in sediments, especially in the wet season. The results of Pearson correlation study and BCF values also indicated similar findings. Only Mn showed the importance of sediment-to-snail concentration and high BCF values in both snails and plants. P. canaliculata exposed to contaminated sediment for two months, showed higher accumulation of metals (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in the digestive tracts and digestive glands than in the foot muscles. Histopathological changes included alterations in the epithelial lining of the digestive tracts, digestive glands and the gills. Loss of cilia and increase in mucous cells were observed in the digestive tracts and gills, while the digestive glands exhibited an increase of dark granules and basophilic cells, and dilation of digestive cells. The results indicated that both P. canaliculata and I. aquatica could be used as biomonitors of sedimentary metal contamination for the Beung Boraphet reservoir.

Phytostabilization of a Pb-contaminated mine tailing by various tree species in pot and field trial experiments.

The potential of 6 tree species (Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia mangium, Peltophorum pterocarpum, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Lagerstroemia floribunda, Eucalyptus camaldulensis) for phytoremediation of Pb in sand tailings (total Pb >9850 mg kg(-1)) from KEMCO Pb mine in Kanchanaburi province, Thailand, were investigated employing a pot experiment (3 months) and field trial experiment (12 months). In pot study E. camaldulensis treated with Osmocote fertilizer attained the highest total biomass (15.3 g plant(-1)) followed by P. pterocarpum (12.6 g plant(-1)) and A. mangium (10.8 g plant(-1)) both treated with cow manure. Cow manure application resulted in the highest root Pb accumulation (>10000 mg kg(-1)) in L. floribunda and P. macrocarpus. These two species also exhibited the highest Pb uptake (85-88 mg plant(-1)). Results from field trial also showed that Osmocote promoted the best growth performance in E. camaldulensis (biomass 385.7 g plant(-1), height 141.7 cm) followed by A. mangium (biomass 215.9 g plant(-1), height 102.7 cm), and they also exhibited the highest Pb uptake (600-800 microg plant(-1)). A. mangium with the addition of organic fertilizer was the best option for phytostabilization of Pb-contaminated mine tailing because it retained higher Pb concentration in the roots.

Effects of soil amendments and EDTA on lead uptake by Chromolaena odorata: greenhouse and field trial experiments.

Greenhouse and field trial experiments were performed to evaluate the use of Chromolaena odorata with various soil amendments for phytoextraction of Pb contaminated soil Pb mine soils contain low amount of nutrients, so the additions of organic (cow manure) and inorganic (Osmocote and NH4NO3 and KCl) fertilizers with EDTA were used to enhance plant growth and Pb accumulation. Greenhouse study showed that cow manure decreased available Pb concentrations and resulted in the highest Pb concentration in roots (4660 mg kg(-1)) and shoots (389.2 mg kg(-1)). EDTA increased Pb accumulation in shoots (17-fold) and roots (11-fold) in plants grown in soil with Osmocote with Pb uptake up to 203.5 mg plant(-1). Application of all fertilizers had no significant effects on relative growth rates of C. odorata. Field trial study showed that C. odorata grown in soil with 99545 mg kg(-1) total Pb accumulated up to 3730.2 and 6698.2 mg kg(-1) in shoots and roots, respectively, with the highest phytoextraction coefficient (1.25) and translocation factor (1.18). These results indicated that C. odorata could be used for phytoextraction of Pb contaminated soil. In addition, more effective Pb accumulation could be enhanced by Osmocote fertilizer. However, the use of EDTA in the field should be concerned with their leaching problems.

Potential of Sonchus arvensis for the phytoremediation of lead-contaminated soil.

Sonchus arvensis is one of the pioneer plant species that were found in the abandoned Bo Ngam Pb mine in Thailand. S. arvensis was collected from three sites. The highest Pb shoot concentration was 9317 mg kg(-1) and the highest translocation factor (TF) and bioaccumulation factor (BF) values were 2.5 and 6.0, respectively. To investigate Pb uptake capacity of S. arvensis, a hydroponic experiment was performed for 15 d. S. arvensis exposed to 5 mg L(-1) Pb solution had the highest Pb shoot accumulation (849 mg kg(-1)). In a pot study, S. arvensis was grown in Pb mine soils amended with organic and inorganic fertilizers for 2 mo. The addition of organic fertilizer to the soil increased plant dry biomass sharply. All treatments with ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) had Pb accumulation in shoots greater than 1000 mg kg(-1) and the highest Pb shoot accumulation was found in S. arvensis grown in soil amended with organic fertilizer and EDTA (1397 mg kg(-1)). In a field trial study, S. arvensis was grown at three sites in the mine area for 6 mo. S. arvensis could tolerate a total Pb of 100,000 mg kg(-1) in the soil and accumulated Pb in the shoots up to 3664 mg kg(-1) with high TF (2.19) and BF (2.38) values. These results suggest that S. arvensis is a good candidate for Pb phytoremediation.