Simulation of pesticide residue bioaccumulation in plant material using chromatographic and chemometric methods

Abstract

The overall problem is, in essence: how to develop effective procedures for
environmental/ecological impact and risk assessment? Research effort and thinking must be
interdisciplinary in character, must indeed extend beyond the boundaries of individual scientific
disciplines since the key questions mainly involve complex interfacial problems.
There are several crucial challenges for environmental scientists in the next decade: (I)
understanding the mechanisms of molecular and subcellular interactions with pollutant
chemicals, including genomic and proteomic aspects; (2) the development of predictive
simulation models of toxic effects on complex cellular and physiological processes; (3) the
progress in an integrative methodology that draws upon the use of biological, physical and
chemical environmental data coupled with analytical tools and prognostic bioindicators for the
detection of complex pollution impact on whole biological systems (biocomplexity).
The uptake of chemicals (pesticides or environmental contaminants) into plants may lead to
residues that could be a hazard to human health and ecosystems. There is a large interest in the
prediction of the amount and type of these residues. Plant physiological processes and
morphological traits control uptake, migration and sorption of xenobiotics in plants, Using
modem analytical methods, which are the most important to describe and understand these
processes: sample preparation and separation techniques, especially chromatographic techniques,
and mathematical models for the predicting of chemical uptake into plants, we can try to define
the best safety strategy in pesticide design, risk assessment, and environmental biotechnology.