Detection of pesticides (cocktails) used in sugarcane crops and their effect on biological systems

Abstract

The demand for food globally requires a large-scale production. In this context, the application of pesticides, among other strategies to increase productivity per planted area, is a reality. However, the intensive application of pesticides can induce their retention in crops and in the soil and, mainly through runoff or leaching, they can reach from surface water until groundwater. Therefore, the determination of pesticide residues in water, soil, and food has attracted the attention of several researchers to better understand and determine the environmental and health impacts. In this project, we intend to detect the pesticides Clorantraniplole, Isoxaflutol and Imazapique applied in sugarcane crops in the region of Presidente Prudente using chromatographic techniques. In addition to the detection aspect, this work aims to contribute to the understanding of the possible effects of these pesticides on biological systems: i) models of the lipid structure of cell membrane through Langmuir films (monolayers) and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs - bilayers) of phospholipid dioleoil-sn-glicero-3-fosfocolin (DOPC); ii) in vitro culture of small intestine epithelial cells for cell viability tests. In both aspects, detection and effects on biological systems, pesticides will be investigated not only individually, but also in a cocktail (mixture) and from real samples of rivers in the region of Presidente Prudente. In this context, the determination of the pesticide concentrations in real samples will be a guiding parameter for other analyzes. This project is part of the Thematic National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT) in Organic Electronics (INEO) 2014/50869-6, and will be developed in the Research Laboratory with Certification for Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Food, Water and Soils, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Aldo Eloizo Job, built at FCT/UNESP in partnership with State and Federal Public Ministries.