Introduction
In recent years, pesticides have become necessary for the protection of crops, flowers, and fruits. It is a perfect strategy for defense, as pesticides help corrode damaging organisms from plants (Subbanna et al., 2020). For instance, acetamiprid from the class of neonicotinoids is widely used in agriculture. In addition, it is one of the most eminent substances in the category of pesticides. However, the overreliance on pesticides caused significant concern in environmental protection, as scientists began to see more negative effects in their usage. There is an opinion about the slaughtering effects of metabolites produced by pesticides; these elements may impact the ecosystem. It is crucial to examine the reaction of acetamiprid with plants, its impact on the targeted organism, and the consequences of applying this pesticide.
Neonicotinoids: Acetamiprid
Neonicotinoid insecticides have become the most sold and prominent pesticides in the world. This type of pesticide is famous for its notable insecticidal effect and activity against target organisms. For example, acetamiprid is one of the most popular neonicotinoids; it is derived from nicotine. The reason for using acetamiprid is its wide insecticidal range, stability, and water dissolubility (Duan et al., 2019). It is also effective in corroding insects with biting and sucking parts of the mouth, as the active ingredient of acetamiprid is nicotine, which is dangerous for a significant portion of animals and insects. The efficiency is excellent if swallowed; the substance influences the whole organism of insects. Acetamiprid is better resistant to various internal factors such as rain, drought, sun, and wind. Therefore, it becomes one of the best solutions in comparison to other pesticides of the neonicotinoid group.
Xenobiotic Pharmacokinetics Metabolism
It is also essential to determine how the pesticide acts to kill the target. The four cornerstones of the pharmacokinetics of foreign substances are manifested in the absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion of dangerous substances (Esteves et al., 2021). For instance, acetamiprid enters the body with food and water and is also applied to the body. Metabolites of acetamiprid, namely imidacloprid and thiacloprid, are absorbed from the stomach of the insect. Next, these elements are distributed through blood or lymph and accumulated in organs, muscles, the brain, skin, and hairy parts. Some percent of acetamiprid is removed from the organism with urine and feces.
However, the most significant amount is saved within the organism. The action of this pesticide is similar to nicotine; the substance is toxic to a substantial part of insects. Neonicotinoids are fatal for rats and fish, and less harmful for birds. The action on target organisms is manifested in binding to postsynaptic receptors of the central nervous system of insects. As a result, convulsions start to develop, and the target aim dies.
Metabolites and Toxicity
Imidacloprid and thiacloprid are metabolites of this pesticide; however, these elements are not resistible to external factors. On the surface, metabolites are destroyed for 3-4 days, depending on temperature. According to scientific sources, the full expiration of acetamiprid itself happens within one hour (Duan et al., 2019). Therefore, metabolites of acetamiprid may stay alive for a more extended period and influence the environment. Xenobiotic metabolism of the substance is manifested in high resistance to external factors if located within the organism. For instance, insects might almost instantly die due to their small size and high level of toxicity on their organisms.
This pesticide is less toxic for mammals, as the cyano-group of this substance reacts with nicotine acetylcholine receptors in insects and reacts poorly with these receptors in mammals. Acetamiprid is commonly recognized as a moderately toxic substance; there are no cases of mutagenic effects. Acetamiprid is more toxic if swallowed and has a less poisonous extent when applied to the skin. Acute poisoning in animals at high doses of acetamiprid is tremors, paralysis, and convulsions.
Safety for Ecosystem
Acetamiprid has an average class of toxicity and danger to the environment. This pesticide is used by spraying under roots; the method is less damaging for the environment as it suggests point impacts on a smaller scale. It is used in fields, plantations, and private sectors; however, some negative consequences can be traced. Acetamiprid is an insecticide of contact action; it penetrates the plant’s vascular system when applied to crops. As a result, the plant becomes toxic to insects and some animals. Occasionally, beasts and domestic pets may eat the plant and get poisoned; and it becomes the flaw of acetamiprid usage. The substance is almost safe in small doses for people; however, there were several intentional poisonings of humans. Overall, this pesticide is safe for a significant part of mammals, and metabolites of acetamiprid are not toxic and fast-expired. Target aims of this substance (aphids, thrips, cereal flies) and other pests of crops are damaged, while valuable insects such as bees stay safe contacting with acetamiprid.
Conclusion
Overall, the usage of acetamiprid in agriculture is justified by its high resistance to external factors and an average level of toxicity for beasts and humans—the pesticide damages the vermin of crops, keeping mammals in birds in safety. Metabolites of acetamiprid are less toxic and may be withdrawn by the organism fast. It is also vital to notice that the substance does not expose organisms to mutation and synthesis of cancerogenic elements. Acetamiprid might be the best solution in fighting against insects that damage plants, vegetables, and fruits.
References
Duan, P., Ma, T., Yue, Y., Li, Y., Zhang, X., Shang, Y., Gao, B., Zhang, Q., Yue, Q., & Xu, X. (2019). Fe/Mn nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes as a peroxymonosulfate activator for acetamiprid degradation.Environmental Science: Nano, 6(6), 1799–1811.
Esteves, F., Rueff, J., & Kranendonk, M. (2021). The central role of cytochrome P450 in xenobiotic metabolism—a brief review on a fascinating enzyme family.Journal of Xenobiotics, 11(3), 94–114.
Subbanna, A. R. N. S., Stanley, J., Rajasekhara, H., Mishra, K. K., Pattanayak, A., & Bhowmick, R. (2020). Perspectives of microbial metabolites as pesticides in agricultural pest management.Reference Series in Phytochemistry, 1(1), 25–952.