The effect of different decontamination processes on the residues of fipronil and its metabolites in chili fruits (Capsicum annuum L.).

Fipronil is a broad-spectrum phenyl pyrazole insecticide that has a high degree of environmental toxicity. Commonly available chilies in the market are treated with fipronil insecticides. Demand for insecticide-free chili has thus been increasing globally. This needs various sustainable and economical methods to remove insecticides from chilies. The present study examined the effectiveness of several cleaning methods to remove pesticide residues in chili fruits. A supervised field trial was conducted in randomized block design at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, India. Chili samples were subjected to seven different household methods. The samples were extracted using the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method. The residues were analyzed using a gas chromatograph-electron capture detector and confirmed by GC-MS. Of the seven methods, the acetic acid treatment removes the maximum residue effect of fipronil and its metabolites (desulfinyl [MB046513]), sulfide (MB045950), and sulfone (MB046136) on chili fruits. By contrast, the tap water treatment was the least effective. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have set the maximum residue limit value of 0.001 mg kg-1 for fipronil on green chili.

Persistence and dissipation kinetics of novaluron 9.45% + lambda-cyhalothrin 1.9% ZC insecticides in tomato crop under semi-arid region.

In recent decades, fate studies of pesticides have been a topic of interest worldwide due to human health concerns tomato, contain abundant nutritional phytochemicals and lycopene which is known for antioxidant. Tomato is susceptible to many pest, so to overcome from these pests many insecticides are used, leaving residual effects on the crop. So to find out the persistence, the present study was carried out to investigate the residual levels and dissipation behaviour of novaluron 9.45% + lambda-cyhalothrin 1.9% ZC in tomato crop during Rabi session of 2017-18 in randomized block design. The first spray of insecticide was done at fruit formation stage and second spray at 10-day interval at recommended dose @43.31 g a.i. ha-1 and double of recommended dose @86.62 g a.i. ha-1. The residue of novaluron determined by HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) on 0 day (two hours after spraying) was 0.154 ppm at lower dose and 0.234 ppm at higher dose. The residue of lambda-cyhalothrin determined by GC ECD (gas chromatography electron capture detector) at 0 day (two hours after spraying) was 0.451 ppm at lower dose and 0.849 ppm at higher dose. The deposition of novaluron 9.45% + lambda-cyhalothrin 1.9% ZC was gradually decreased with increasing days after spraying (DAS). The mean initial deposition of the pesticide novaluron and lambda-cyhalothrin was recorded as 0.154 mg/kg, 0.451 mg/kg, respectively, at the recommended dose @43.31 g a.i. ha-1 while at double of recommended dose @86.62 g a.i. ha-1 novaluron and lambda-cyhalothrin, the mean initial deposition of 0.234 mg/kg and 0.849 mg/kg was recorded, respectively. The residue of the novaluron and lambda-cyhalothrin was at BDL (below determination level) (0.01 and 0.05 ppm) on 5th and 7th day, respectively, at lower dose (x), whereas at higher dose (2x) it was below determination level on 7th and 10th day, respectively. In soil samples, the residue levels were at below the determination level (0.01 mg/kg) for novaluron and (0.05 mg/kg) for lambda-cyhalothrin at both doses. The half-life DT50 of novaluron and lambda-cyhalothrin in the tomato fruit was found to be 2 days at recommended dose (X) @43.31 g a.i. ha-1 for both the pesticide and at double of the recommended dose @86.62 g a.i. ha-1 it was 3 and 2 days, respectively.

Dissipation kinetics, risk assessment, and waiting period of spiromesifen on chili fruits using gas chromatography-electron capture detector.

A supervised field trial was designed in Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan, to assess the dissipation and persistence of spiromesifen in chili fruits. Spiromesifen (22.9% suspension concentrate) was sprayed two times at an interval of 10 days at the recommended dose (96 g. a.i. ha-1 ) and double the recommended dose (192 g. a.i. ha-1 ) with four replications. Sampling was done according to the planned interval of days after the second spray. Extraction and cleanup were performed using the modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) method and the spiromesifen residue was analyzed by GC-electron capture detector and confirmation performed using GC-MS. The average initial deposit of spiromesifen was 1.207 mg kg-1 and 1.948 mg kg-1 at the recommended and double the recommended dose, respectively. The half-life values of spiromesifen ranged between 2.7 and 3.2 days at the recommended and double the recommended dose. The safe waiting period was calculated for the respective doses and it was concluded that an average of 7 days is safe for picking. The FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) have set the maximum residue limit of 0.1 mg kg-1 for spiromesifen in green chili. The theoretical maximum residue contribution value of spiromesifen was lower than the maximum permissible intake at both the applications on the 0th day. Hence, there will be no adverse effects on human health after consumption of green chilies.

Dissipation kinetics and risk assessment of iprovalicarb + propineb fungicide in tomato under different agroclimates.

Multi-location supervised field trials in India were conducted with a combination pesticide formulation (iprovalicarb 5.5% + propineb 61.25%, 66.75% WP) in tomato to study dissipation behavior at single (iprovalicarb 137.5 g a.i. ha-1 + propineb 1531.25 g a.i. ha-1) and double (iprovalicarb 275 g a.i. ha-1 + propineb 3062.5 g a.i. ha-1) dose. The samples were processed using a modified QuEChERS method for iprovalicarb and acid hydrolysis followed by carbon disulfide estimation for propineb and confirmation of their respective residues by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS. Both the fungicides in tomato fruits obey first-order kinetics irrespective of location and doses. Half-life (t1/2) values at all the four locations ranged from 1.08 to 4.67 days for iprovalicarb and 3.36 to 11.41 days for propineb in tomato. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set MRL of 1 mg kg-1 for propineb, but no MRL is yet fixed for iprovalicarb. Using OECD MRL calculator, the calculated MRL for iprovalicarb and propineb was found to be 2 and 4 mg kg-1, respectively. The hazard quotient (HQ) < 1, theoretical maximum daily intake (TMDI) < acceptable daily intake (ADI), TMDI < maximum permissible intake (MPI), percent acute hazard index (% aHI) ≤ 1, and percent chronic hazard index (% cHI) < 1 for both the fungicides indicated that the combination formulation will not pose any dietary risk and thus considered safe for human health.

Dissipation kinetics and consumer risk assessment of novaluron + lambda-cyhalothrin co-formulation in cabbage.

Cabbage, one of the most popular vegetables in the world is infested by several insect-pests and diseases. Novaluron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor and lambda-cyhalothrin, a synthetic pyrethroid group insecticide are used to manage insect-pests on cabbage. The dissipation kinetics and risk assessment of combination formulation (novaluron 9.45% + lambda-cyhalothrin 1.9%) with different modes of action has not yet been investigated in cabbage. Multi-location supervised field trials were therefore, conducted in different agro-climatic regions of India for safety evaluation of the combination product. The co-formulation at the recommended (novaluron 750 g a.i. ha-1 + lambda-cyhalothrin 750 g a.i. ha-1) and double the recommended (novaluron 1500 g a.i. ha-1 + lambda-cyhalothrin 1500 g a.i. ha-1) dose was sprayed on the cabbage crop. The samples were extracted and cleaned up using a modified QuEChERS method, and the residues analyzed by GC-ECD and GC-MS. The half-life (t1/2) varied between 1.77 and 2.51 and 2.00-3.38 days for novaluron and 1.36-2.24 and 1.69-3.82 days for lambda-cyhalothrin in cabbage at respective doses. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set the MRL of 0.7 mg kg-1 for novaluron at PHI of 5 days, and no MRL is set for lambda-cyhalothrin in cabbage. On the basis of OECD MRL calculator, the MRLs of 0.6 and 1.5 mg kg-1 for novaluron and lambda-cyhalothrin, respectively were calculated at the respective doses at PHI of 3 days. Hazard quotient (HQ) <1, theoretical maximum daily intake (TMDI) < acceptable daily intake (ADI) and < maximum permissible intake (MPI), percent acute hazard index (% aHI) <1, and percent chronic hazard index (% cHI) <1 for both novaluron and lambda-cyhalothrin suggested that the combination formulation is safe and will not pose any dietary risk to the consumers. The study will be helpful to conduct risk assessment of other pesticides/combination pesticides on food crops on which their MRLs have not yet been fixed.

Boarding School: A Simple Approach To Reduce Soil Transmitted Helminth Infections In Orang Asli Children Of Sungai Siput, Perak, 2017

@#Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infection is a major public health concern among the indigenous children of Malaysia. Precarious living conditions at home including unavailability of water, drinking of contaminated water, poor sanitation and livestock presence, are known risk factors for the infection. In order to provide better living conditions, these children are enrolled in boarding schools. This study was conducted to determine whether boarding schools is a solution in reducing soil transmitted helminth infection among Orang Asli children in Sg Siput, Perak, Malaysia. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 204 schoolchildren aged 7-17 years from three boarding schools in Sungai Siput, Perak from January to March 2017. Stool samples were collected and examined using direct smear and Kato-Katz technique. Information on sociodemographic and environmental conditions were collected using a modified Demographic Health Survey (DHS) questionnaire. Data analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics Processor 20.0.Out of a total of 204 children, only 48% (n= 97) were infected with at least one type of STH species which showed a reduced prevalence as compared to previous studies conducted among home dwelling schoolchildren with overall prevalence of 78-97%. Majority of the children had monoparasitism (31%; n=63) with moderate intensity by T trichuira (n=51, 25%). Univariate analysis shows that unavailability of water at home has a statistically significant association with STH infection among boarding school children (OR=0.73; 95% CI= 0.56-0.95 p=0.021). Multivariate analysis proves children who had unavailability of water at home has 2.1 times more likelihood of getting an STH infection (OR= 2.08; 95%CI= 1.07-4.07; p= 0.032).This study demonstrates a reduced STH prevalence among Orang Asli boarding school children as better living condition there limits the spread of STH infection among them.

The Prevalence Of Hypertension And Its Associated Risk Factors In Two Rural Communities In Penang, Malaysia

Background: Hypertension is estimated to cause 4.5% of the global disease burden. The prevalence of hypertension in Malaysia is 32.2%. Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and its associated risk factors in two rural communities in Penang, Malaysia. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among all consenting residents aged 18 years and above from two villages in Penang. Besides the baseline demographic information, blood pressure was measured using a manual sphygmomanometer according to the American Heart Association Guidelines. Results: 50 out of 168 people were hypertensive, giving a prevalence rate of 29.8%. 50.0% of those found with hypertension were undiagnosed and 48.0% of those who were diagnosed with hypertension had uncontrolled blood pressure. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, history of alcohol consumption and BMI were found to be independently associated with hypertension. Conclusions: Age, education level, alcohol consumption and BMI are important risk factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension among the villagers. These risk factors are comparable to those reported in National Health and Morbidity Survery 2006 in Malaysia.

The Prevalence of Hypertension among the Elderly in Fourteen Villages in Kedah, Malaysia

Introduction: Currently, there is a dearth of research into the elderly in Malaysia. More data is needed in order to plan services for them. Hypertension is an illness whose prevalance of hypertension among the elderly population of fourteen villages in Kedah. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on all elderly persons who consented to participate, in fourteen villages in the district of Kuala Muda in Kedah. A questionnaire was used for the data collection. Blood pressure was measured and participants were assessed for their activities of daily living using Barthel Index, cognitive impairment using Elderly Cognitive Assessmnet Questionnaire (ECAQ) and depression using Geriatric Depression Scale. Descriptive analysis, using SPSS version 11.0. was done to explore the data. Results: The total population of the villages was 3095 and 336 were 60 and above. A total of 240 elderly individuals agreed to participate giving a response rate of 71.4%. There were 138 females (57.5%) and 102 (42.45) males. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents were Malays (n=236) of which 57.2% were females and 42.8% males; the remaining 4 (1.7%) were Indians, of which 3 were females and 1 male. The prevalence of hypertension was 58.3% (n=140) in the villages. 138 (58.5%) of the Malays were hypertensive compared to 2 (50%) of the Indians. Half (51.4%) of those diagnosed as hypertensive were unaware of their condition and half (48.6%) of those known to have hypertension,the blood pressure was not controlled (p<0.05). Discussion:The results of the study are similar to the National Health and Morbidity Survey, 1996. Though the data is from an opportunistic sample and may not represent a larger population especially by race, the findings offer data for a pooled analysis. It is also very worrying to note that 48.6% of the people knew of their condition but did not do anything to control their blood pressure.

Body mass index and nutritional status of adults in two rural villages in Northern Malaysia

There has been a change in the lifestyles of populations, including reduced physical activity and consumption of foods high in calories. Overweight and obesity are now replacing the more traditional public health concerns such as under-nutrition and infectious diseases as some of the most significant contributors to ill health. Determination of the body mass index (BMI) profile and nutritional status of adults of two rural coastal villages in Northern Malaysia was part of a community diagnosis in a community survey. Height and weight were measured and BMI calculated. Blood pressure was measured using a manual sphygmomanometer according to WHO guidelines. A standardized questionnaire was used to interview the villagers concerning their health. Out of the total population, 504 were above 20 years of age. Data was available for 441 persons for analysis. There were 210 (47.6%) males and 231 (52.4%) females. The prevalence of underweight was 9.8% (n=43), overweight 25.9% (n=114) and obesity 17% (n=75). The problem of over-nutrition was significantly higher among females, especially housewives. (p< 0.05). Those in ages 41-70 years were the majority with problems of over-nutrition (p=<0.05). More than half (52.9%; n=39) of those who were obese had hypertension (p=<0.05). Results show that a higher number of women especially housewives were obese and more than half of those obese subjects had hypertension. A more thorough nutritional profile using waist, hip and body fat measurement as well as an assessment of the dietary intake and activity regime of these villagers is needed. Interventions need to be carried out before more serious complications of obesity become rooted in this community.