Assessment of the environmental effects of eprinomectin: advanced oxidation process and ecotoxicology evaluation

• Grant number: 17/26214-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Environmental Sanitation
• Principal Investigator: José Roberto Guimarães
• Grantee: Raphael Bastão de Souza
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo (FEC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In order to maintain the high productivity of the livestock sector and reduce financial losses caused by different diseases, large quantities of veterinary drugs are used by rural producers. Eprinomectin is one of the most commercialized drugs. It belongs to the avermectin family, commonly used to combat a wide variety of parasites. As eprinomectin is the most recent avermectin, studies regarding its ecotoxicological effects, especially in tropical climate conditions, are scarce. Contamination of soil and water resulting from its use is a reality, so studies aimed to analyze its toxicity and its degradation are necessary. Thus, this project aims to evaluate the toxicity of eprinomectin using different test organisms and to verify the effectiveness of the Advanced Oxidation Processes in its degradation. To this purpose, reproduction and avoidance tests with terrestrial invertebrates (Eisenia andrei, Folsomia candida and Enchitraeus crypticus) and tests of phytotoxicity and genotoxicity with Allium cepa will be performed. Photo-Fenton and UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation processes will be used to assess drug degradation and the toxicity of the by-products will be analyzed with Dhapnia similis. Together with the results obtained in the FAPESP Thematic Project "Residues of Veterinary Medicines in the Environment", the data obtained in this proposal will contribute to improve the understanding of this class of drugs in the environment and, consequently, to reduce its possible damages. (AU)