Bioconcentration model of non-ionic fungicides in soybeans

• Grant number: 14/19359-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2015
• End date: January 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science
• Principal Investigator: Lourival Costa Paraíba
• Grantee: Lourival Costa Paraíba
• Host Institution: Embrapa Meio-Ambiente. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA). Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento (Brasil). Jaguariúna , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Antonio Luiz Cerdeira ; Sonia Claudia Do Nascimento de Queiroz

Abstract

Previous knowledge of the bioconcentration factor (BCF) of a substance in a food can contribute to the adequate management of substances used to produce feed. Mathematical bioconcentration models can predict the accumulation of pesticides in food. In this project, a mathematical model to estimate the BCF of nonionic fungicide in soybeans grain grown with fungicides will be developed. The model will be validated with the values of the observed concentrations of fungicides in soil solution and in soybeans. To control pathogenic fungi, soybean growth demands different types of fungicides, and it is known that some fungicides may accumulate in grains as a result of their physicochemical characteristics. Soybean plants, necessary for the development of this model, will be grown in pots kept in a greenhouse with controlled temperature and humidity and their structural and physiological characteristics will be observed. Soybeans produced will be used to experimentally determine the concentration of fungicides, and soil solution samples will be used to determine the concentrations of the fungicide into the soil. Kinetic mechanisms of accumulation of fungicides on soybeans will be modeled. Exposure of soybean to fungicides will be conduced by nutrient contamination of soil solution kept in pots. Measurements of concentrations of fungicides in samples of soil solution and soybeans will be obtained by high performance liquid coupled to mass spectrometry (LC - MS / MS). Observed concentrations and the mathematical model will be used to estimate the cumulative probability distribution functions of concentrations and the probability of these concentrations to exceed the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of fungicides on soybeans will be computed. The information and knowledge produced in this project, in addition to knowledge of bioconcentration of fungicide in soybean, may be useful as guide farmers who decide to minimize the risk of contamination of soybeans by fungicides and help establish safe limits of fungicides in soils and soybeans. (AU)