Journal of Xenobiotics最新文献

{"title":"Combined Effects of Nano-Polystyrene and Heavy Metal Mixture on the Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals and Physiological Changes in <i>Macrobrachium rosenbergii</i>.","authors":"Mahdi Banaee, Amir Zeidi, Amal Beitsayah, Cristiana Roberta Multisanti, Caterina Faggio","doi":"10.3390/jox15040113","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jox15040113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Contaminants such as nano-polystyrenes (NPs) and heavy metal cocktail (HMC) have been found to disrupt physiological functions in aquatic organisms. Although HMC and NPs alone induce oxidative stress, their combined effects are not well understood. This study aimed to assess the combined effects of HMC and NPs on the freshwater shrimp (<i>Macrobrachium rosenbergii</i>). Shrimp were divided into seven groups, including the control group, and the experimental groups co-exposed to 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 µg/L NPs combined with 0.5 mg/L HMC. After 14 days, shrimp were sampled, and their hepatopancreas and muscle tissues were analyzed for oxidative biomarkers, biochemical parameters, and metabolic profiles. Moreover, the bioaccumulation rate of heavy metals was measured. Results showed that co-exposure to NPs and HMC increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase activities, and malondialdehyde levels, while reducing glutathione and total antioxidant capacity. The integrated biomarker response indicated that co-exposure to HMC and NPs induces oxidative stress. A significant decrease was observed in aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase activities, glycogen, triglyceride, and total protein levels. However, lactate dehydrogenase activity was significantly increased. Co-exposure to HMC and NPs increased heavy metal bioaccumulation, induced oxidative stress, biochemical changes, and enhanced HMC toxicity in shrimp.</p>","PeriodicalId":42356,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Xenobiotics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286050/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ecotoxicological Effects of Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Nickel Nanoparticles on Aquatic Organisms from Three Trophic Levels: Insights from Oxidative Stress Biomarkers.","authors":"Alberto Teodorico Correia, Eduardo Motta, David Daniel, Bruno Nunes, José Neves","doi":"10.3390/jox15040112","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jox15040112","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the ecotoxicological impacts of environmentally relevant concentrations (0.05, 0.50, and 5.00 mg/L) of nickel nanoparticles (Ni-NPs) by assessing oxidative stress biomarkers. The worm <i>Hediste diversicolor</i>, the bivalve <i>Mytilus</i> spp., and the fish <i>Sparus aurata</i> were chronically exposed to Ni-NPs for 28 days, and glutathione S-transferases (GST), catalase (CAT), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels were measured to evaluate biochemical responses. GST activity increased in <i>H. diversicolor</i> and the liver of <i>S. aurata</i>, suggesting a key role for this enzyme in Ni-NPs detoxification. CAT activity was inhibited in the digestive gland of <i>Mytilus</i> spp. at the highest Ni-NPs concentration, indicating possible disruption of antioxidant defense. TBARS levels rose significantly in the gills of <i>Mytilus</i> spp. exposed to high Ni-NP concentrations, suggesting oxidative damage beyond detoxification capacity. In contrast, TBARS decreased in the digestive gland of <i>Mytilus</i> and in <i>H. diversicolor</i>, possibly due to compensatory upstream antioxidant responses. These findings indicate that each species exhibits distinct adaptive responses to Ni-NP exposure. Overall, this study highlights the need to consider species- and tissue-specific responses when performing ecotoxicological risk assessments of nanomaterials.</p>","PeriodicalId":42356,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Xenobiotics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12285969/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699981","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals on Reproductive Biology of Aquatic Fauna: Penguins as Sentinel Species.","authors":"Grace Emily Okuthe, Edith Dube, Patrick Siyambulela Mafunda","doi":"10.3390/jox15040110","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jox15040110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The escalating global contamination of aquatic ecosystems by pharmaceuticals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) stemming from diverse anthropogenic sources represents a critical and pervasive threat to planetary Earth. These contaminants exhibit bioaccumulative properties in long-lived organisms and undergo trophic biomagnification, leading to elevated concentrations in apex predators. This review synthesizes current knowledge regarding the far-reaching impacts of pharmaceutical and EDC pollution on the reproductive biology of aquatic fauna, focusing on the heightened vulnerability of the endangered African penguin. A rigorous literature review across key scientific databases-PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar-using targeted search terms (e.g., penguins, contaminants of emerging concern, penguin species, seabird species, Antarctica, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, EDCs) underpins this analysis. This review explores the anthropogenic sources of pharmaceuticals and EDCs in aquatic ecosystems. It discusses the mechanisms by which these chemicals disrupt the reproductive physiology of aquatic fauna. Recent studies on the ecological and population-level consequences of these contaminants are also reviewed. Furthermore, the review elaborates on the urgent need for comprehensive mitigating strategies to address their effects on vulnerable penguin populations. These approaches hold the potential to unlock innovative pathways for conservation initiatives and the formulation of robust environmental management policies aimed at safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and the diverse life they support.</p>","PeriodicalId":42356,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Xenobiotics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286207/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antioxidant Potential and Antibacterial Activities of Caucasian Endemic Plants <i>Sempervivum transcaucasicum</i> and <i>Paeonia daurica</i> subsp. <i>mlokosewitschii</i> Extracts and Molecular In Silico Mechanism Insights.","authors":"Valentina Mittova, Marina Pirtskhalava, Zurab R Tsetskhladze, Khatuna Makalatia, Alexander Loladze, Irakli Bebiashvili, Tinatin Barblishvili, Ana Gogoladze, Giovanni N Roviello","doi":"10.3390/jox15040109","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jox15040109","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antioxidants derived from plant extracts have attracted considerable attention due to their potential in mitigating oxidative damage through free radical scavenging mechanisms. Although 700 species have been used for centuries in Georgian traditional medicine, the chemical composition and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Caucasian endemic medicinal plants remain largely unknown. In this study, the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of leaf and root extracts of Caucasian endemic medicinal plants <i>Sempervivum transcaucasicum</i> Muirhead and <i>Paeonia daurica</i> subsp. <i>mlokosewitschii</i> (Lomakin) D. Y. Hong were investigated. The highest antioxidant activity and phenolic and flavonoid content were revealed in <i>Paeonia daurica</i> leaf extract. The analysis of the content of water-soluble antioxidants revealed the highest content of reduced glutathione and ascorbate in <i>Paeonia daurica</i> leaves. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of leaf and root extracts against <i>Escherichia coli</i> ATCC 25922 strain was investigated, and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined. While the antibacterial activity against <i>E. coli</i> ATCC 25922 was not revealed for the <i>Sempervivum transcaucasicum</i> leaf extract, antibacterial properties were detected for the root extract (MIC 5 mg/mL). Collectively, the highest antibacterial activity was revealed for <i>Paeonia daurica</i> leaf and root extracts (MIC 2 mg/mL and 3 mg/mL, respectively). From a molecular perspective, molecular docking simulations were performed using HDOCK software, with reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid as ligands, in order to analyse their potential binding affinity to the OmpX protein. Inhibiting this protein would likely disrupt bacterial function and produce an antibacterial effect. Our results provide a possible mechanism for the antibacterial activity of <i>Paeonia daurica</i> subsp. <i>mlokosewitschii</i>. Overall, the results of the study demonstrate the potential of Caucasian endemic medicinal plants as natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.</p>","PeriodicalId":42356,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Xenobiotics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286101/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid on Prostate Cancer.","authors":"Guilherme Henrique Tamarindo, Gustavo Matheus Amaro, Alana Della Torre da Silva, Rejane Maira Góes","doi":"10.3390/jox15040111","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jox15040111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 class have been widely investigated due to their antitumor properties, including in prostate cancer (PCa). Among them is docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 ω-3), whose biological activity is higher than other omega-3s, exhibiting a stronger impact on PCa. The specific mechanisms triggered by DHA are blurred by studies that used a blend of omega-3s, delaying the understanding of its biological role, and hence alternative therapeutic approaches. DHA is differentially processed between normal and malignant epithelial PCa cells, which suggests its function as a tumor suppressor. At cell-specific level, it downregulates key pathways in PCa, such as androgen signaling and lipid metabolism, but also changes membrane composition by disrupting phospholipid balance and increasing unsaturation status, arrests the cell cycle, and induces apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. At the tissue level, DHA seems to influence stromal components, such as the inhibition of cancer-associated fibroblast differentiation and resolution of inflammation, which generates a microenvironment favorable to PCa initiation and progression. Considering that such effects are misunderstood and assigned to omega-3s in general, this review aims to discuss the specific effects of DHA on PCa based on in vitro and in vivo evidence.</p>","PeriodicalId":42356,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Xenobiotics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286034/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immobilization of <i>Pleurotus eryngii</i> Laccase via a Protein-Inorganic Hybrid for Efficient Degradation of Bisphenol A as a Potent Xenobiotic.","authors":"Sanjay K S Patel, Rahul K Gupta, Jung-Kul Lee","doi":"10.3390/jox15040108","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jox15040108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the present investigation, an eco-friendly biocatalyst was developed using <i>Pleurotus eryngii</i> laccase (<i>Pe</i>Lac) through a copper (Cu)-based protein-inorganic hybrid system for the degradation of bisphenol A, a representative xenobiotic. After partial purification, the specific activity of crude <i>Pe</i>Lac was 92.6 U/mg of total protein. Immobilization of <i>Pe</i>Lac as Cu₃(PO₄)₂-Lac (Cu-<i>Pe</i>Lac) nanoflowers (NFs) at 4 °C resulted in a relative activity 333% higher than that of the free enzyme. The Cu-<i>Pe</i>Lac NFs exhibited greater pH and temperature stability and enhanced catalytic activity compared to free laccase. This enhanced activity was validated through improved electrochemical properties. After immobilization, Cu-<i>Pe</i>Lac NFs retained up to 8.7-fold higher residual activity after storage at 4 °C for 30 days. Free and immobilized laccase degraded bisphenol A by 41.6% and 99.8%, respectively, after 2 h of incubation at 30 °C. After ten cycles, Cu-<i>Pe</i>Lac NFs retained 91.2% degradation efficiency. In the presence of potent laccase inhibitors, Cu-<i>Pe</i>Lac NFs exhibited a 47.3-fold improvement in bisphenol A degradation compared to free <i>Pe</i>Lac. Additionally, the synthesized Cu-<i>Pe</i>Lac NFs demonstrated lower acute toxicity against <i>Vibrio fischeri</i> than Cu nanoparticles. This study presents the first report of <i>Pe</i>Lac immobilization through an eco-friendly protein-inorganic hybrid system, with promising potential for degrading bisphenol A in the presence of inhibitors to support sustainable development.</p>","PeriodicalId":42356,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Xenobiotics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286210/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Novel HPLC-MS/MS Method for the Intracellular Quantification of the Active Triphosphate Metabolite of Remdesivir: GS-443902.","authors":"Alice Palermiti, Amedeo De Nicolò, Miriam Antonucci, Sara Soloperto, Martina Billi, Alessandra Manca, Jessica Cusato, Giorgia Menegatti, Mohammed Lamorde, Andrea Calcagno, Catriona Waitt, Antonio D'Avolio","doi":"10.3390/jox15040107","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jox15040107","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Remdesivir (RDV) is a broad-spectrum antiviral prodrug, which is rapidly metabolized in vivo within cells to the pharmacologically active triphosphate metabolite, GS-443902. On the other hand, the dephosphorylated metabolite GS-441524 is the main form detected in plasma. RDV acts against RNA viruses, and it was the first antiviral drug to receive EMA and FDA approval for treating COVID-19. Nevertheless, its intracellular pharmacokinetics in real life are poorly explored, particularly due to technical challenges.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The aim of this study was to validate an HPLC-MS/MS method for the direct quantification of GS-443902 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with a chromatographic separation of 15 min.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The method was validated following EMA and FDA guidelines in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, matrix effect, recovery, carryover, and stability, and then applied to PBMC isolates from a small cohort of patients with severe COVID-19 who received RDV.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This work represents the first method for the direct quantification of GS-443902 in PBMCs, with possible future application to intracellular pharmacokinetic studies in different scenarios, such as new oral prodrugs or drug-drug interaction studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":42356,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Xenobiotics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12285933/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of Metals on Infectious Diseases in Wildlife and Zoonotic Spillover.","authors":"Joel Henrique Ellwanger, Marina Ziliotto, José Artur Bogo Chies","doi":"10.3390/jox15040105","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jox15040105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate change, mining activities, pollution and other human impacts on the natural environment cause significant changes in the concentrations and mixtures of metallic elements found in different ecosystems. Metals such as cadmium, copper, lead and mercury affect multiple aspects of host-pathogen interactions, influencing the risk of infectious diseases caused by various classes of pathogens. Notably, exposure to metals in doses and combinations toxic to the immune system can favor the dissemination of pathogens in natural environments, threatening the reproduction, well-being and survival of varied animal species. However, these problems remain neglected, since the influences of metals on infectious diseases are studied with a primary focus on human medicine. Therefore, this article aims to review the influence of metals/metalloids (e.g., arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, nickel, zinc) on infectious and parasitic diseases in animals living in natural environments. The potential impact of metals on the risk of zoonotic spillover events is also discussed. Metal pollution tends to increase as the demand for elements used in the manufacture of industrial products, batteries, and electronic devices increases globally. This problem can aggravate the biodiversity crisis and facilitate the emergence of infectious diseases. Considering the interconnections between pollution and immunity, measures to limit metal pollution are necessary to protect human health and biodiversity from the risks posed by pathogens. This review helps fill the gap in the literature regarding the connections between metal pollution and various aspects of infectious diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":42356,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Xenobiotics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12285991/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oxidative Stress, Phytochemical Screening, and Antioxidant Activity on Microalgae (<i>Arthrospira platensis</i>) After Exposure to Glyphosate and Microplastics.","authors":"Dércia Santos, Edna Cabecinha, Jesús Gago, Sandra Mariza Monteiro, Ana Luzio","doi":"10.3390/jox15040106","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jox15040106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The knowledge about the potential toxic effects of microplastics (MPs) combined with herbicides at lower trophic levels is still largely unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential toxic effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyamide (PA), isolated or combined with the pesticide glyphosate (GLY), on the microalgae <i>Arthrospira platensis</i>. For this, microalgae were exposed to control, GLY (3 μg/L), PET (0.5 and 1 mg/L), PA (0.5 and 1 mg/L), and the respective mixtures of each MP with GLY, for 12 days. The photosynthetic pigment content, phytochemicals, antioxidants, and enzymatic activity were determined. Cell growth was significantly enhanced on day 4 in the GLY+PA1 group (~80%), compared to the control. At day 12, biomass was significantly higher in the GLY (~25%) and GLY+PET0.5 (~26%) groups relative to the control. Significant effects on the enzymatic and detoxification mechanisms were observed, including increased SOD (PET0.5, <i>p</i> = 0.011) and CarE (GLY, PA and GLY+PA, <i>p</i> < 0.01), and decreased GST in combined exposures, which support stress-induced enzymatic activation and adaptive biochemical responses. Significant effects on phytochemicals and antioxidant activity were also observed, with PET0.5 significantly reducing total carotenoids (~65%), and flavonoids (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and ortho-diphenols (<i>p</i> < 0.05) being decreased in all exposure groups, in comparison to the control group. The decrease in flavonoids and ortho-diphenols, important antioxidant molecules, suggests the depletion of these key compounds under stress. DPPH scavenging activity, a measure of antioxidant potential, was inhibited in the GLY+PA groups, indicating compromised antioxidant defense. Results confirmed that combined stressors elicit distinct and sometimes deleterious responses not predicted by single exposures. Our findings highlight that the combined exposure to glyphosate and MPs significantly disrupts antioxidant defenses and enzymatic activity in <i>A. platensis</i>, indicating potential risks to primary producers in aquatic ecosystems and underscoring the ecological implications of co-contaminant stressors. In fact, the results indicate that MPs can modify herbicide toxicity, posing enhanced risks to microalgal physiology and potentially affecting primary productivity and nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems. In turn, negative effects of MPs on microalgae can have serious consequences for food webs, food security, and ecological health.</p>","PeriodicalId":42356,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Xenobiotics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286146/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of High Urban Temperatures on Pesticide Residues Accumulation in Vegetables Grown in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area of Ghana.","authors":"Joyce Kumah, Eric Kofi Doe, Benedicta Yayra Fosu-Mensah, Benjamin Denkyira Ofori, Millicent A S Kwawu, Ebenezer Boahen, Doreen Larkailey Lartey, Sampson D D P Dordaa, Christopher Gordon","doi":"10.3390/jox15040103","DOIUrl":"10.3390/jox15040103","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the effect of high urban land temperatures on pesticide residue (PR) accumulation in cabbage and lettuce and on public health in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) in Ghana. A comparative toxicological analysis regarding the food system was conducted with 66 farmers across three land surface temperatures: low (Atomic, <i>n</i> = 22), moderate (Ashaiman, <i>n</i> = 22), and high (Korle-Bu, <i>n</i> = 22). Pesticide residue concentrations were assessed using an ANOVA to examine spatial variations across sites. The results indicate a strong correlation between high land surface temperatures and pesticide residue accumulation, with lettuce recording significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher PR levels than cabbage. Several pesticides, including carbendazim (CBZ), Imidacloprid (IMI), Thiamethoxam (TMX), and Chlorpyrifos (CHL), exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union (EU) at moderate and high-temperature sites. carbendazim was the dominant pesticide detected, with a concentration of 19.0 mg/kg in lettuce, which far exceeded its maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.10 mg/kg across all study sites. Statistical analyses (PERMANOVA) confirmed that land surface temperatures and pesticide types significantly influenced the PR concentrations. Public health risk assessments indicate that children are more vulnerable to pesticide exposure than adults. The toxicity hazard quotient (THQ) for organophosphate pesticides, particularly CHL and Dimethoate (DMT), exceeded safe thresholds at moderate and high-temperature sites.</p>","PeriodicalId":42356,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Xenobiotics","volume":"15 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12286249/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144699993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}