Assessing the spatiotemporal occurrence and ecological risk of antifouling biocides in a Brazilian estuary.

Diuron and Irgarol are common antifouling biocides used in paints to prevent the attachment and growth of fouling organisms on ship hulls and other submerged structures. Concerns about their toxicity to non-target aquatic organisms have led to various restrictions on their use in antifouling paints worldwide. Previous studies have shown the widespread presence of these substances in port areas along the Brazilian coast, with a concentration primarily in the southern part of the country. In this study, we conducted six sampling campaigns over the course of 1 year to assess the presence and associated risks of Diuron and Irgarol in water collected from areas under the influence of the Maranhão Port Complex in the Brazilian Northeast. Our results revealed the absence of Irgarol in the study area, irrespective of the sampling season and site. In contrast, the mean concentrations of Diuron varied between 2.0 ng L-1 and 34.1 ng L-1 and were detected at least once at each sampling site. We conducted a risk assessment of Diuron levels in this area using the risk quotient (RQ) method. Our findings indicated that Diuron levels at all sampling sites during at least one campaign yielded an RQ greater than 1, with a maximum of 22.7, classifying the risk as "high" based on the proposed risk classification. This study underscores the continued concern regarding the presence of antifouling biocides in significant ports and marinas in Brazilian ports, despite international bans.

Biochemical and morphological responses in Ucides cordatus (Crustacea, Decapoda) as indicators of contamination status in mangroves and port areas from northern Brazil.

The aims of this study were to analyze biochemical and morphological responses (glutathione S-transferase activity and branchial lesions) in Ucides cordatus (crabs) and to verify how the species is responding to environmental contamination in a port (potentially contaminated area) and mangrove (reference area; Amazon Coast, Maranhão, Brazil). Adult males were captured bimonthly for a period of 1 year. Higher GST activity (1.03 ± 0.07 µmol min-1 mg protein-1) was observed in crabs in the port when compared with those in the reference area (p < 0.05). The greatest number of branchial lesions (serious alterations) was recorded in crabs only in the port area. The GST activity increased until serious lesions appeared; after this limit, GST activity decreased dramatically to very low levels, thus resulting in irreversible lesions (lamella collapse). The mathematical model based on the two parameters evaluated in U. cordatus showed that the port area experienced substantial contamination impact, while the mangroves (reference area) presented moderate environmental quality.

Punica granatum L. Leaf Extract Attenuates Lung Inflammation in Mice with Acute Lung Injury.

The hydroalcoholic extract of Punica granatum (pomegranate) leaves was previously demonstrated to be anti-inflammatory in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced acute peritonitis. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of the ethyl acetate fraction obtained from the pomegranate leaf hydroalcoholic extract (EAFPg) on the LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model. Male Swiss mice received either EAFPg at different doses or dexamethasone (per os) prior to LPS intranasal instillation. Vehicle-treated mice were used as controls. Animals were culled at 4 h after LPS challenge, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung samples were collected for analysis. EAFPg and kaempferol effects on NO and cytokine production by LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages were also investigated. Pretreatment with EAFPg (100-300 mg/kg) markedly reduced cell accumulation (specially neutrophils) and collagen deposition in the lungs of ALI mice. The same animals presented with reduced lung and BALF TNF-α and IL-1ß expression in comparison with vehicle controls (p < 0.05). Additionally, incubation with either EAFPg or kaempferol (100 µg/ml) reduced NO production and cytokine gene expression in cultured LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Overall, these results demonstrate that the prophylactic treatment with EAFPg attenuates acute lung inflammation. We suggest this fraction may be useful in treating ALI.

Determination of benomyl residues in shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) by liquid chromatography with UV detection.

A method is optimized to determine benomyl (as carbendazim derivative) in shiitake mushrooms. It is based on the extraction of the fungicide with an ethyl acetate-hexane mixture and a further analysis of the extract by high-performance liquid chromatography-UV. Mean recoveries are evaluated and range from 76% to 86% with relative standard deviation between 1.1% and 5.8%. The limit of quantitation (0.5 mg/Kg) is lower than the maximum residue level established by European legislation. The method is successfully applied to the analysis of shiitake mushrooms cultivated on eucalyptus logs treated with Benlate 500 (benomyl as active ingredient) under natural environmental conditions.

Desenvolvimento de método simples para a determinação de resíduos de Diuron por cromatografia a líquido em amostras de laranja / Development of simple method for determination of Diuron residues by liquid chromatography in orange samples

Este artigo apresenta método simples para a extração e determinação de diuron em amostras de laranja (compreendendo casca e polpa). O método consistiu na extração do pesticida com acetona em agitador mecânico. O extrato foi filtrado em Celite e particionado com n-hexano. Evaporou-se a fase hexânica sob N2, sendo o resíduo solubilizado em metanol. A análise foi realizada por Cromatografia a Líquido de Alta Eficiência (CLAE) com detecção por Ultra-Violeta (UV) em 230nm. Obtiveram-se recuperações médias entre 109 e 110 por cento para amostras fortificadas nos níveis 0,1 e 0,5 mg Kg-1. Os Limites DE qUANTIFICAÇÃO (lq) e de Detecção (ld) foram 0,1 mg Kg-1 e 0,004mg Kg-1, respectivamente. As amostras analisadas não apresentaram resíduos de diuron nas condições experimentais estudadas

Risco de contaminaçäo de águas por pesticidas aplicados em plantaçöes de eucaliptos e coqueiros: análise preliminar / Pesticides applied in eucalyptus and coconut palm plantation: preliminary analysis

Efetuou-se avaliaçäo preliminar de pesticidasaplicados em plantaçöes de eucaliptos e coqueiros no nordeste brasileiro quanto ao risco de contaminaçäo de águas superficiais e subterrâneas. Para tanto, foram utilizados os critérios sugeridos pela Agência de Proteçäo Ambiental dos Estados Unidos (USA), o índice "Growndwater Ubiquity Score" (GUS) e o método de Goss. Os pesticidas Tetradifon, Triclorfon, alfa-Endosulfan, B-Endosulfan, Sulfato de Endosulfan e Glifosato apresentaram potencial de contaminaçäo das águas que exige monitoramento. Segundo os critérios avaliados neste estudo, os demais pesticidas investigados näo apresentarem risco de contaminaçäo