Use of the bioindicator Artemia salina in the toxicological evaluation in plant extracts of Allium sativum with the presence of pesticides

Abstract

Brazil is one of the largest agricultural producers in the world, consequently becoming one of the largest consumers of pesticides in the world. When used incorrectly, pesticides can generate direct or indirect contamination. Every pesticide has a grace period, being the time it takes for the chemical agent to be degraded in the food, however, when not respected, it leads to acute contamination to consumers. The research in question aimed at the presence of pesticide residues using Artemia salina as a bioindicator and to evaluate the influence of the grace period on the results obtained. Ten garlic bulbs were grown, in which five received the pesticide of the class of insecticides, thiophanate-methyl, and five did not. To evaluate the waiting time, cultivation occurred at T0, T7 and T14. For the determination of toxicity, the bioassay with A. salina was used. The results were obtained by counting dead artemia. From these data it was possible to determine the LD50, in which it was necessary to use samples of the extracts in different concentrations. The results obtained indicate that when there is no use of the pesticide, the toxicity is reduced in relation to the plants that received the pesticide.