Analysis of the Effect of the Pesticide Imazapic Used in Sugarcane and Citrus Crops in the Rio Claro Region on the Liver Tissue of Tilapia by Raman Microspectroscopy.

• Grant number: 25/01889-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Rafael Jesus Gonçalves Rubira
• Grantee: Bruna Gobbi Medina
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas (IGCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Rio Claro region, located in the interior of São Paulo, has experienced significant expansion of sugarcane and citrus plantations, leading to both economic and environmental consequences. The intensive use of pesticides in these plantations poses serious environmental and public health risks, including fish mortality and the deaths of thousands of bees due to aerial pesticide spraying over sugarcane fields. Studies also indicate contamination of artesian wells, as well as cases of poisoning among rural workers and communities near the plantations. Given this scenario, this project aims to investigate the biochemical and morphological changes in the liver tissue of Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia) exposed to the pesticide imazapic (IMZ) using Raman spectroscopy. The analysis will focus on identifying cellular biomarkers such as lipids, nucleic acids, and glycogen through Raman spectra. Multivariate analyses will be employed to correlate biomarker alterations with potential pathologies resulting from IMZ exposure, considering both acute (24-hour) and chronic (96-hour) exposure periods. Additionally, histological analyses will be conducted using hematoxylin and eosin-stained and unstained slides to detect morphological changes in the tissues. The expected outcomes include the identification of biochemical and morphological patterns indicative of toxicity, contributing to a deeper understanding of pesticide impacts on aquatic organisms. Ultimately, this study aims to provide valuable insights for environmental monitoring and regulatory actions, helping to mitigate the risks associated with the indiscriminate use of pesticides.