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Evaluation of the toxicity of a new series of α-aminophosphonate derivatives in a target (Ephestia Kuehniella) and non-target (Lumbricus rubellus) population

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Abstract

Object

A new series of ᾳ-aminophosphonate derivatives was evaluated for their toxicity in a target (Ephestia kuehniella) and non-target (Lumbricus rubellus) population, after was synthetized by an immersion ultrasound-assisted method. It is a green chemical approach that focuses on designing industrial products and processes with minimal impact on operator, environmental, and consumer health.

Methods

Firstly, we tested the insecticidal activity of five molecules (BR1, BR2, BR3, BR4, and BR5) in Ephestia larvae compared to Dursban using fumigation, contact, and repulsion. Furthermore, we determined their toxicity in earthworms by measuring mortality rate (TM%), weight, glutathione (GSH), acetylcholine esterase activity (AchE), and glutathione-s-transferase (GST).

Results

The results show that the BR1, BR2, and BR3 molecules have strong insecticidal activity (TM > 50%) by fumigation, moderate to strong activity by contact, and low to very low activity by repulsion. We observed no mortality in worms treated with these derivatives, and weight decreased significantly (P < 0.01) compared to controls. Monitoring of stress biomarker variations revealed inhibition of AchE in Lumbricus ranging from 21 to 40% for all treatments when compared to the marketed pesticide (66%), an increase in GSH levels, and induction of non-significant GST activity, indicating moderate oxidative stress.

Conclusion

All of these findings emphasize the insecticidal activity of these molecules on the target population (Ephestia kuehniella) while ignoring their repellent mode and the significance of the fraction inserted to reduce the toxic impact of these compounds on non-population targets (Lumbricus rubellus).

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the director of the cellular toxicology laboratory, Pr. Berrebbah Houria, for helping us and having all the necessities to carry out this work at our disposal. The Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research supported this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cellular Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Sciences Faculty, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria

    Rahma Boughoula, Hana Sbartai & Ibtissem Sbartai

  2. Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Synthesis of Biomolecules and Molecular Modelling Group, Department of Chemistry, Sciences Faculty, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria

    Rania Bahadi & Malika Berredjem

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  1. Rahma Boughoula
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the conception and design of the study. Corresponding Author: SBARTAI Hana set up the theme of the paper. First author: Boughoula Rahma prepared the material, data collection and analysis. Bahadi Rania and Berredjem Malika carried out the synthesis of molecules. The first author wrote the first draft of the manuscript, and all authors corrected and commented on previous versions.

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Correspondence to Hana Sbartai.

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Rahma Boughoula, Hana Sbartai, Rania Bahadi, Ibtissem Sbartai and Malika Berredjem declare that we have no conflict of interest.

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Boughoula, R., Sbartai, H., Bahadi, R. et al. Evaluation of the toxicity of a new series of α-aminophosphonate derivatives in a target (Ephestia Kuehniella) and non-target (Lumbricus rubellus) population. Toxicol. Environ. Health Sci. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13530-024-00215-x

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