Chemical Pesticides and Food Safety

Abstract

Pesticides are usually applied to protect crops against insects and other pests. These pesticides of synthetic origin are potentially toxic to humans and can have both acute and chronic health effects, depending on the quantity and ways in which a person is exposed. They play significant roles in food production as they protect or increase yields due to less attack by insect pests. This is particularly important in countries that face food security challenges. The general population—who are not in the area where pesticides are used—is exposed to significantly lower levels of chemical insecticide residues through food and water. Chemical pesticides are among the leading causes of death by self-poisoning, in particular in low- and middle-income countries. Adverse effects from these synthetic pesticides occur only above a certain safe level of exposure. When people come into contact with large quantities of it in food, it may cause acute poisoning or long-term health effects, including cancer and adverse effects on reproduction. Production, distribution, and use of pesticides require strict regulation and control. Regular monitoring of residues in food and the environment is also required. Best among all is the promotion and adoption of bio-insecticides as a better alternative to chemical insecticides.

Resveratrol regulates inflammation and improves oxidative stress via Nrf2 signaling pathway: Therapeutic and biotechnological prospects

“…While, Nrf2 knockout markedly reduced antioxidative capacity of resveratrol and caused increased PQ‐induced cytotoxicity, cytokine production, and myofibroblast transformation. Thus, Res attenuated PQ‐induced ROS production, inflammation, and fibrotic reaction by activating Nrf2 signaling and showing a pathway for molecular intervention against pulmonary oxidative injury and fibrosis (Nwosu & John, 2022; Zeng et al, 2022).…”

Pesticide Use and Degradation Strategies: Food Safety, Challenges and Perspectives

“…Recent nutritional recommendations to increase the consumption of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains may increase dietary pesticide intakes leading to severe cumulative toxicity and increased risk of various chronic illnesses, including cancer, respiratory, metabolic, reproductive, and neurologic disorders [1,45]. Urinary levels of pesticides or their metabolites are commonly used as biomarkers of human pesticide exposure [46].…”

“…As the world's population grows, the industrialization of agriculture and the expansion of livestock production to meet increasing food demand create opportunities and challenges for food safety. These challenges place more responsibility on food manufacturers and processors to ensure food safety, preventing food contamination before it reaches the consumer [1].…”

Hormetic effect induced byBeauveria bassianainMyzus persicae

“…Chemical insecticides remain the primary means to control M. persicae , owing to their efficiency, availability, and affordability (Aktar et al 2009). However, the adverse effects linked to chemical insecticides, including harm to non-target beneficial insects, implications for human health and food safety, as well as insecticide resistance development, drives the need for sustainable alternative control strategies (Kingsley-Nwosu, and John, 2022; Nicolopoulou-Stamati et al, 2016; Sawicki and Denholm, 2008). One alternative strategy utilizes entomopathogenic fungi to suppress aphid populations (Bamisile et al 2021).…”