Separation microtechniques for metabolomics and pesticide residues determination in tissues and honey of stingless native bees (Tetragonisca angustula)

• Grant number: 20/07864-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: August 01, 2020
• End date: February 28, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Analytical Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Alvaro José dos Santos Neto
• Grantee: Rafael Sardeli de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/02147-0 - Single drop chromatography and its coupling to mass spectrometry: instrumental strategies, development of materials, automation and analytical applications, AP.TEM

Abstract

The intensive use of pesticides in food crops causes several adverse effects on pollinating agents. Studies on these effects on bees are scarce in Brazil, especially about native stingless bees. These insects perform an essential role in the pollination of many crops, making essential the development of methods to evaluate the sensitivity of these bees to the pesticides employed, searching to properly list the inherent risks of their use. A complete evaluation requires full monitoring of contaminants in different environmental matrices, such as flowers, pollen, fruits and honey produced by bees, allowing a general analysis of the impacts associated with the contact with these pesticides. Aware of this problematic, this study will develop, validate and apply a method for the determination of residues of the insecticide abamectin and the fungicide difenoconazole, used in strawberry crops grown in the region of Bom Repouso (MG), in tissues of pollinating bee species Tetragonisca angustula and in the honey produced. The study also aims to develop and evaluate new and modern methods of sample preparation and chromatographic analysis, based on micro and nano techniques of sample preparation and chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, seeking the highest efficiency and reliability. (AU)