Synthesis and application of a novel solid‐phase extraction adsorbent for multiresidue analysis of insecticides in water

A new solid‐phase adsorbent was synthesized for the simultaneous enrichment of multiple classes of trace insecticides (neonicotinoids, organophosphates, fiproles, and organochlorines) in water. The adsorbent was spherical with a diameter, surface area, average pore volume, and pore size of approximately 5 μm, 341 m²/g, 0.092 m³/g, and 2.22 nm, respectively. Extraction conditions were optimized, including water pH and the type and volume of the rinsing and eluting solvents. After extraction, target insecticides were analyzed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The recovery of neonicotinoids ranged from 63.0 to 124%, except for clothianidin (40.1–52.9%). Recoveries of organophosphates, fiproles, and organochlorines were in the ranges of 37.0–102, 64.0–101, and 42.0–69.3%, respectively. Relative standard deviations were <20% except for profenofos (5.1–30%) and method detection limits were 1.8–12.7 ng/L, suggesting that the precision and accuracy of the developed method were viable. At environmentally relevant concentrations, the new adsorbent achieved comparable recoveries of target insecticides to hydrophilic–lipophilic balance adsorbent while providing an additional advantage by further reducing matrix effects. Field water samples from the Pearl River in Guangzhou, China were analyzed, and the frequent detection of neonicotinoids raises concerns about their aquatic risk.     

Insight into the Binding Mode of Agonists of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor from Calculated Electron Densities

Insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are among the most prominent and most economically important insecticide targets. Thus, an understanding of the modes of binding of respective agonists is important for the design of specific compounds with favorable vertebrate profiles. In the case of nAChRs, the lack of available high‐resolution X‐ray structures leaves theoretical considerations as the only viable option. Starting from classical homology and docking approaches, binding mode hypotheses are created for five agonists of the nAChR, covering insecticides in the main group 4 of the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) mode of action (MoA) classification, namely, neonicotinoids, nicotine, sulfoxaflor, and butenolides. To better understand these binding modes, the topologies of calculated electron densities of small‐model systems are analyzed in the framework of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules. The theoretically obtained modes of binding are very much in line with the biology‐driven IRAC MoA classification of the investigated ligands.     

UHPLC-DAD method for the determination of neonicotinoid insecticides in single bees and its relevance in honeybee colony loss investigations

In the understanding of colony loss phenomena, a worldwide crisis of honeybee colonies which has serious consequences for both apiculture and bee-pollination-dependent farm production, analytical chemistry can play an important role. For instance, rapid and accurate analytical procedures are currently required to better assess the effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on honeybee health. Since their introduction in agriculture, neonicotinoid insecticides have been blamed for being highly toxic to honeybees, possibly at the nanogram per bee level or lower. As a consequence, most of the analytical methods recently optimized have focused on the analysis of ultratraces of neonicotinoids using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry techniques to study the effects of sublethal doses. However, recent evidences on two novel routes—seedling guttations and seed coating particulate, both associated with corn crops—that may expose honeybees to huge amounts of neonicotinoids in the field, with instantly lethal effects, suggest that selected procedures need optimizing. In the present work, a simplified ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–diode-array detection method for the determination of neonicotinoids in single bees has been optimized and validated. The method ensures good selectivity, good accuracy, and adequate detection limits, which make it suitable for the purpose, while maintaining its ability to evaluate exposure variability of individual bees. It has been successfully applied to the analysis of bees in free flight over an experimental sowing field, with the bees therefore being exposed to seed coating particulate released by the pneumatic drilling machine.     

Determination of neonicotinoid insecticides in environmental samples by micellar electrokinetic chromatography using solid‐phase treatments

A sensitive and reliable method based on MEKC has been developed and validated for trace determination of neonicotinoid insecticides (thiamethoxam, acetamiprid, and imidacloprid) and the metabolite 6‐chloronicotinic acid in water and soil matrices. Optimum separation of the neonicotinoid insecticides was obtained on a 58 cm long capillary (75 μm id) using as the running electrolyte 40 mM SDS, 5 mM borate (pH 10.4), and 5% (v/v) methanol at a temperature of 25°C, a voltage of 25 kV and with hydrodynamic injection (10 s). The analysis time was less than 7 min. Prior to MEKC determination, the samples were purified and enriched by carrying out extraction‐preconcentration steps. For aqueous samples, off‐line SPE with a sorptive material such as Strata‐X (polymeric hydrophobic sorbent) and octadecylsilane (C₁₈) was carried out to clean up and preconcentrate the insecticides. However, for soil samples, matrix solid‐phase dispersion (MSPD) was applied with C₁₈ used as the dispersant. Good linearity, accuracy, and precision were obtained and the detection limits were in the range between 0.01 and 0.07 μg mL^?1 for river water and 0.17 and 0.37 μg g^?1 for soil samples. Recovery levels reached greater than 92% for all of the assayed neonicotinoids in river water samples with Strata‐X. In soil matrices, the best recoveries (63–99%) were obtained with MSPD.     

Advances in the synthesis of neonicotinoids

The review discusses methods of synthesis of neonicotinoids which constitute a new group of insecticides structurally related to nicotine and acting as insect acetylcholine receptor agonists.__________Translated from Zhurnal Organicheskoi Khimii, Vol. 40, No. 12, 2004, pp. 1759–1775.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Kovganko, Kashkan.     

Study on the Dynamic Difference between Single and Mixed Residues of Three Neonicotinoids in Brassica chinensis L.

Multiple insecticides’ residues after the mixed application of several neonicotinoids cause combined pollution and bring new challenges to food safety and pest control during agricultural production. In this study, three neonicotinoid insecticides, namely imidacloprid (IMI), acetamiprid (ACE), and thiamethoxam (TMX), were mixed and evenly sprayed on Brassica chinensis L. in the field. Then, the insecticides’ residues were dynamically monitored to determine the differences in their rates of dissipation and final residues after 10 days. The results showed that the dissipation kinetics of neonicotinoids still conformed to the first-order kinetic model for binary or ternary application of neonicotinoid mixtures, with all determination coefficients (R²) being above 0.9 and the dissipation half-life (DT₅₀) being 2.87–6.74 d. For treatment groups with five times the recommended dosages (IMI 300 g·hm⁻², ACE 900 g·hm⁻², and TMX 600 g·hm⁻²), mixed insecticides had a slower dissipation rate, and the DT₅₀ values of mixtures were longer than those of single insecticides. Moreover, the final insecticide residues with mixed application were higher than those of single compounds at 10 d after spraying. Thus, mixed applications of neonicotinoids may increase food safety risks as they increase the final insecticide residues in Brassica chinensis L., and care should therefore be taken when considering the combined use of such compounds.     

Design,synthesis, and insecticidal bioactivities evaluation of pyrrole- and dihydropyrrole-fused neonicotinoid analogs containing chlorothiazole ring

Chlorothiazole ring, as a substituted heterocycle, frequently occurred in structures of various insecticides, and brought positive effect on bioactivity. In purpose to find novel neonicotinoids, a series of pyrrole- and dihydropyrrole-fused neonicotinoid analogs containing chlorothiazole ring were synthesized for the first time. Results of the following biological assays showed that compounds 5a-c achieved good insecticidal activity against Aphis craccivora, and compound 5h exhibited good activity against Nilaparvata lugens.     

Determination of neonicotinoid insecticides residues in eels using subcritical water extraction and ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive, and environmental-friendly multi-residue method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of seven neonicotinoid insecticides (dinotefuran, nitenpyram, thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, clothianidin, acetamiprid, and thiacloprid) residues in eel samples. Subcritical water extraction was investigated as a novel and alternative technology for the extraction of neonicotinoids from eel matrices and the results were compared with the conventional ultrasonic and shaking extraction. The target compounds were identified and quantitatively determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) operated in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Under the current optimized chromatographic conditions, each LC run was completed in 5 min. Average recoveries of the seven analytes from fortified samples ranged between 84.6% and 102.0%, with relative standard deviations (RSD) lower than 10.8%. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) for neonicotinoids were in the ranges of 0.12–0.36 μg kg⁻¹ and 0.42–1.12 μg kg⁻¹, respectively. The proposed method is fast, sensitive, easy to perform, water-based thus more environmentally acceptable, making it applicable for high-throughput monitoring of insecticides residues in aquatic products.     

Synthesis and Insecticidal Activities of Chlorothiazolyl Analogs of Nitromethylene Neonicotinoids with Tetrahydropyridine Fixed cis‐Configuration

The chlorothiazolyl moiety was an effective bioisoster of chloropyridyl in pesticide molecular design. Replacement of chloropyridyl in cis‐nitromethylene neonicotinoids with chlorothiazolyl generated the chlorothiazolyl counterpart of nitromethylene neonicotinoids with tetrahydropyridine fixed cis‐configuration. Bioassay against cowpea aphis (Aphis craccivora) indicated that the chlorothiazolyl analogs could maintain the high insecticidal activity.     

Solid‐phase purification and extraction for the determination of trace neonicotinoid pesticides in tea infusion

An analytical protocol that includes solid‐phase purification and extraction is successfully developed for the determination of trace neonicotinoid pesticides in tea infusion. The method consists of a purification on amino‐functionalized mesoporous silica SBA‐15 followed by a solid‐phase extraction based on graphene oxide before ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Parameters that significantly affected the extraction of the neonicotinoids onto graphene oxide, such as the amount of adsorbent, extraction time, pH, elution solvent, etc. were optimized. The amino‐functionalized mesoporous silica SBA‐15 has been proved to be an efficient adsorbent for removal of polyphenols especially catechins from tea infusion. Graphene oxide exhibits a very rapid adsorption rate (within 10 min) and high adsorption capacities for neonicotinoids at low initial concentration (0.01–0.5 mg/L). The analysis method gave a good determination coefficient (r² > 0.99) for each pesticide and high recoveries in the range of 72.2–95.0%. Powder X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV‐vis spectroscopy were utilized to identify the structure and morphology of graphene oxide. The adsorption driving force of neonicotinoids on graphene oxide mainly depends on π–π electron donor–acceptor interaction and electrostatic interaction.     

Computational Investigations about the Effects of Hetero‐molecular Aggregation on Bioactivities: a Case of Neonicotinoids and Water

Molecular aggregation state of bioactive compounds plays a key role in bio‐interactive procedure. Diverse aggregation states of bioactive compounds contribute to different biological or chemical properties. Water‐bridge, as the simple hetero‐molecular aggregation, has been found bridging the binding between many bioactive compounds and their targets through hydrogen bonding network, e.g. in the recognition of neonicotinoids with insect nAChRs. To better understanding the roles of water‐bridge on bioactivities of compounds, an approach of hetero‐dimeric aggregation with water was proposed. Quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) and pharmacophore modeling investigations were applied on 19 neonicotinoids, as well as their aggregates with water. The aggregate‐based CoMSIA, PHASE and linear QSAR models presented better statistical significance and predictabilities than the monomer ones, which indicated that the bioactivities correlated with the aggregate properties and water bridged hydrogen bond of the active site. All results revealed the essential roles of water‐bridge in ligand recognition, which should be considered in future ligand design and optimization.     

Sensitive analytical methods for 22 relevant insecticides of 3 chemical families in honey by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS

Several methods for analyzing pesticides in honey have been developed. However, they do not always reach the sufficiently low limits of quantification (LOQ) needed to quantify pesticides toxic to honey bees at low doses. To properly evaluate the toxicity of pesticides, LOQ have to reach at least 1 ng/g. In this context, we developed extraction and analytical methods for the simultaneous detection of 22 relevant insecticides belonging to three chemical families (neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, and pyrazoles) in honey. The insecticides were extracted with the QuEChERS method that consists in an extraction and a purification with mixtures of salts adapted to the matrix and the substances to be extracted. Analyses were performed by gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for the pyrazoles and the pyrethroids and by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for the neonicotinoids and ethiprole. Calibration curves were built from various honey types fortified at different concentrations. Linear responses were obtained between 0.2 and 5 ng/g. Limits of detection (LOD) ranged between 0.07 and 0.2 ng/g, and LOQ ranged between 0.2 and 0.5 ng/g. The mean extraction yields ranged between 63 % and 139 % with RSD <25 %. A complete validation of the methods also examined recovery rates and specificity. These methods were applied to 90 honey samples collected during a 2009–2010 field study in two apiaries placed in different anthropic contexts.

芳亚甲基硝基缩氨基胍类化合物的合成及杀虫活性

依据活性亚结构拼接原理, 以硝基胍为原料, 合成了一系列具有新烟碱类和缩氨基脲类杀虫剂共同结构特征的芳亚甲基硝基缩氨基胍类化合物, 其结构通过¹H NMR、 IR和元素分析等方法进行了确证. 杀虫活性测定结果表明, 在600 μg/mL浓度下, 目标化合物对桃蚜[Myzuspersicae(Sulzer)]具有较优异的活性, 其中化合物4-2, 4-8, 4-10, 4-16, 4-27, 4-31和4-34的校正死亡率均在90%以上. 进一步以桃蚜、 棉蚜(Aphis gossypii)和桃粉蚜(Hyalopterusamygdali blanchard)为对象, 测定了化合物4-2, 4-8和4-34的精密毒力. 结果表明, 它们在低浓度下仍然具有很高的活性, 其中化合物4-8对棉蚜的活性甚至优于对照药剂吡虫啉, 在3.13 μg/mL浓度下致死率仍高达95.7%(吡虫啉为79.4%), 具有进一步研究开发的价值.     

Ultrasound/microwave‐assisted solid–liquid–solid dispersive extraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of neonicotinoid insecticides in Dendrobium officinale

A one‐step ultrasound/microwave‐assisted solid–liquid–solid dispersive extraction procedure was used for the simultaneous determination of eight neonicotinoids (dinotefuran, nitenpyram, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiacloprid, imidaclothiz) in dried Dendrobium officinale by liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The samples were quickly extracted by acetonitrile and cleaned up by the mixed dispersing sorbents including primary secondary amine, C₁₈, and carbon‐GCB. Parameters that could influence the ultrasound/microwave‐assisted extraction efficiency such as microwave irradiation power, ultrasound irradiation power, temperature, and solvent were investigated. Recovery studies were performing well (70.4–113.7%) at three examined spiking levels (10, 50, and 100 μg/kg). Meanwhile, the limits of quantification for the neonicotinoids ranged from 0.87 to 1.92 μg/kg. The method showed good linearity in the concentration range of 1–100 μg/L with correlation coefficients >0.99. This quick and useful analytical method could provide a basis for monitoring neonicotinoid insecticide residues in herbs.     

Synthesis and Insecticidal Evaluation of Chiral Neonicotinoids Analogs: The Laurel Wilt Case

Xyleborus sp beetles are types of ambrosia beetles invasive to the United States and recently also to Mexico. The beetle can carry a fungus responsible for the Laurel Wilt, a vascular lethal disease that can host over 300 tree species, including redbay and avocado. This problem has a great economic and environmental impact. Indeed, synthetic chemists have recently attempted to develop new neonicotinoids. This is also due to severe drug resistance to “classic” insecticides. In this research, a series of neonicotinoids analogs were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated against Xyleborus sp. Most of the target compounds showed good to excellent insecticidal activity. Generally, the cyclic compounds also showed better activity in comparison with open-chain compounds. Compounds R-13, 23, S-29, and 43 showed a mortality percent of up to 73% after 12 h of exposure. These results highlight the enantioenriched compounds with absolute R configuration. The docking results correlated with experimental data which showed both cation-π interactions in relation to the aromatic ring and hydrogen bonds between the search cavity 3C79 and the novel molecules. The results suggest that these sorts of interactions are responsible for high insecticidal activity.     

Design,synthesis and insecticidal activity of spiro heterocycle containing neonicotinoid analogs

Spiro heterocycles frequently occur in bioactive molecules. In the pursuit of neonicotinoids with spiro hererocycles, three types of novel neonicotinoids with spirobenzofuranone, spirooxindole or spiroacenaphythylenone framework were designed and synthesized. Insecticidal evaluation showed that some of spirobenzofuranone containing neonicotinoids exhibited moderate activity against cowpea aphid, armyworm or brown planthopper.     

Combination of GC-MS Molecular Networking and Larvicidal Effect against Aedes aegypti for the Discovery of Bioactive Substances in Commercial Essential Oils

Dengue is a neglected disease, present mainly in tropical countries, with more than 5.2 million cases reported in 2019. Vector control remains the most effective protective measure against dengue and other arboviruses. Synthetic insecticides based on organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, neonicotinoids and oxadiazines are unattractive due to their high degree of toxicity to humans, animals and the environment. Conversely, natural-product-based larvicides/insecticides, such as essential oils, present high efficiency, low environmental toxicity and can be easily scaled up for industrial processes. However, essential oils are highly complex and require modern analytical and computational approaches to streamline the identification of bioactive substances. This study combined the GC-MS spectral similarity network approach with larvicidal assays as a new strategy for the discovery of potential bioactive substances in complex biological samples, enabling the systematic and simultaneous annotation of substances in 20 essential oils through LC₅₀ larvicidal assays. This strategy allowed rapid intuitive discovery of distribution patterns between families and metabolic classes in clusters, and the prediction of larvicidal properties of acyclic monoterpene derivatives, including citral, neral, citronellal and citronellol, and their acetate forms (LC₅₀ < 50 µg/mL).     

Degradation of Neonicotinoids and Caffeine from Surface Water by Photolysis

Along with rapid social development, the use of insecticides and caffeine-containing products increases, a trend that is also reflected in the composition of surface waters. This study is focused on the phototreatment of a surface water containing three neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and clothianidin) and caffeine. Firstly, the radiation absorption of the target pollutants and the effect of the water matrix components were evaluated. It was observed that the maximum absorption peaks appear at wavelengths ranging from 246 to 274 nm, and that the water matrix did not affect the efficiency of the removal of the target pollutants. It was found that the insecticides were efficiently removed after a very short exposure to UV irradiation, while the addition of hydrogen peroxide was needed for an efficient caffeine depletion. The electrical energy per order was estimated, being the lowest energy required (9.5 kWh m⁻³ order⁻¹) for the depletion of thiamethoxan by indirect photolysis, and a concentration of hydrogen peroxide of 5 mg dm⁻³. Finally, a preliminary evaluation on the formation of by-products reveals that these compounds play a key role in the evolution of the ecotoxicity of the samples, and that the application of direct photolysis reduces the concentration of these intermediates.     

Effects of Insecticides and Microbiological Contaminants on Apis mellifera Health

Over the past two decades, there has been an alarming decline in the number of honey bee colonies. This phenomenon is called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Bee products play a significant role in human life and have a huge impact on agriculture, therefore bees are an economically important species. Honey has found its healing application in various sectors of human life, as well as other bee products such as royal jelly, propolis, and bee pollen. There are many putative factors of CCD, such as air pollution, GMO, viruses, or predators (such as wasps and hornets). It is, however, believed that pesticides and microorganisms play a huge role in the mass extinction of bee colonies. Insecticides are chemicals that are dangerous to both humans and the environment. They can cause enormous damage to bees’ nervous system and permanently weaken their immune system, making them vulnerable to other factors. Some of the insecticides that negatively affect bees are, for example, neonicotinoids, coumaphos, and chlorpyrifos. Microorganisms can cause various diseases in bees, weakening the health of the colony and often resulting in its extinction. Infection with microorganisms may result in the need to dispose of the entire hive to prevent the spread of pathogens to other hives. Many aspects of the impact of pesticides and microorganisms on bees are still unclear. The need to deepen knowledge in this matter is crucial, bearing in mind how important these animals are for human life.     

Synthesis,Insecticidal Assay and Molecular Docking Study of Novel Neonicotinoids N‐Oxide Analogues

Eight novel neonicotinoids N‐oxide analogues were designed and synthesized. All the compounds have been identified by ¹H NMR and HRMS. The N‐oxide analogues exhibit high insecticidal activity against cowpea aphids (Aphis craccivora) at 250 mg·L^?1. The influence of N‐oxide formation on the biological activity was elucidated by computational chemical study, and it indicated that the water bridge hydrogen bonding network was broken due to the influence of the O atom connected with the pyridine ring.