QUANTIFICATION OF PESTICIDE LEVELS IN HORSE CHESTNUT SEEDS

Аннотация

In the middle of the 20th century, the use of synthetic pesticides became increasingly prevalent as a means to combat pests such as insects and weeds. Pesticides, which are substances used to eliminate or control pests, have played a pivotal role in enhancing food production to meet the rising global demand [1]. These chemicals are vital for safeguarding crops from a wide array of diseases and pests. Moreover, pesticides find extensive application in non-agricultural domains, encompassing industrial plant management, pest control in buildings, and pet care. Despite the escalating reliance on pesticides, pests have shown growing adaptability to these chemicals, prompting persistent research efforts aimed at developing effective pest control solutions [2]. Nevertheless, due to the widespread use of pesticides, complete prevention of their impact on the environment is unattainable [3]. Hence, it is imperative to regulate the quantity of pesticides present in various products. In a recent study, we analyzed pesticides, including atrazine, simazine, hydroxyatrazine, flumethrin, mepiquat, methylsulfuron, chlorimuron, and chlorsulfuron, in horse chestnut seeds using high-performance liquid chromatography. The findings from this study revealed that the levels of pesticides detected in horse chestnut seeds obtained from both Tashkent City and Qibray district adhered to the requirements stipulated in the Sanitary Rules and Regulations (SanPiN №0321-15). Keywords: pesticide, horse chestnut, high-performance liquid chromatography, atrazine, simazine, hydroxyatrazine, flumethrin, mepiquat, methylsulfuron, chlorimuron, chlorsulfuron. 1. Introduction. Pesticides, also known as plant protection products (PPP), are substances utilized to control pests, weeds, and diseases [4]. In the 1940s, the development of the first synthetic pesticides marked a significant milestone in agriculture, as it substantially contributed to the growth of food production. However, as early as the 1960s, increasing attention was given to the potential negative effects of 18 SOLUTION OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMY International scientific-online conference pesticides on both the environment and human health. This growing concern led to a reevaluation of the impacts of pesticide use and spurred efforts to develop more sustainable agricultural practices [5]. It is essential to note that pesticides have the potential to persist in the environment for prolonged periods, posing risks to both the environment and human health. The isolation of the Escin substance from the horse chestnut seeds necessitates adherence to established pharmacopeia standards, including the limitation of pesticide residue in plant raw materials. Even though pesticides are not typically directly applied to horse chestnuts, their presence in the environment can lead to their transfer, even in small amounts, to the horse chestnut. This research aims to analyze the pesticides commonly used in Uzbekistan in horse chestnut seeds grown in Tashkent City and Qibray district and evaluate them according to the requirements of Sanitary Rules and Regulations (SanPiN №0321-15). 2. Materials and methods. . The study utilized acetonitrile, deionized water, sodium acetate trihydrate, Millipore filters (0.45 microns), and working standards of pesticides. Analyses were performed using the SHIMADZU Nexera 20AR chromatograph (SHIMADZU, Japan). 2.1. Conditions for determining the amount of atrazine, simazine, and hydroxyatrazine: Chromatographic column - Zorbach Eclipse C-18, 4.6x150 mm, 5 mkm; column temperature - 40°C; detector – UF-detector, 220 nm; flow rate – 1.0 ml/min; injection volume – 10 mkl; mobile phase A – 0.01 M monopotassium phosphate (pH=7.0); mobile phase B – methanol; solvent – methanol; analysis duration - 20 minutes; concentration of substances - 0.11 mg/ml. The HPLC gradient mode is used for mobile phases A and B (Fig.1). Time/min Mobile phase A, % Mobile phase B, % 3,00 80,0 20,0 5,00 70,0 30,0 7,00 70,0 30,0 10,00 50,0 50,0 12,00 50,0 50,0 14,00 30,0 70,0 16,00 30,0 70,0 18,00 80,0 20,0 20,00 Finish 19 SOLUTION OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMY International scientific-online conference Figure 1. The HPLC gradient mode of the mobile phase. Figure 2. HPLC/DMD profile of the standard sample of simazine. Figure 3. HPLC/DMD profile of the standard sample of hydroxyatrazine. 20 SOLUTION OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMY International scientific-online conference Figure 4. HPLC/DMD profile of simazine and hydroxyatrazine in horse chestnut seeds. (1-Tashkent, 2-Qibray) 2.2. Conditions for determining the amount of flumethrin: Chromatographic column - Zorbach Eclipse C-18, 3.0x150 mm, 3.5 mkm; column temperature - 40°C; detector – UF-detector, 220 nm; flow rate – 1.0 ml/min.; injection volume – 20 mkl; mobile phase – a mixture of methanol and acetonitrile (55:45); solvent – methanol; analysis duration - 22 minutes; concentration of substances - 0.25