Impact of Cry1AB toxin from transgenic maize (Mon 810) and microbial BT spray (Dipel) on the ecology of a non-target parasitoid, Cotesia marginiventris

Cry1Ab toxin derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been used for the control of susceptible lepidopteran species throughout the world. Currently, sprayable Bt formulations and transgenic plants have been used for lepidopteran pest control. As plants and insects are part of a complex multitrophic system, using Bt toxin may also affect non-target organisms and thus pose an environmental risk. This research was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions – first tier lab testing on the second (Spodoptera littoralis) and third trophic levels (Cotesia marginiventris). Spodoptera littoralis were fed with four different types of maize leaves; non-transgenic isogenic control, transgenic (MON810), and isogenic control plants sprayed with a control spray or Bt spray (Dipel). S. littoralis larvae maintained on non-transgenic maize leaves from day 6 to day 20 were significantly heavier when compared to the other maize treatments. No significant effect of Cry1Ab toxin was observed on the survival and pupation time of S. littoralis larvae. The groups exposed to transgenic maize were shown to have the lowest weight of parasitized S. littoralis larvae at 2 and 5 days after parasitism, and also the lowest weight of parasitoid cocoon. The behaviour of Cotesia marginiventris with S. littoralis hosts (same age or same size) in no-choice tests was observed. Time taken to the first attack took significantly longer in the same-age host fed either transgenic maize or Bt spray maize when compared to control maize-fed hosts, however this did not differ in the same-size host. Time to cocoon formation and adult emergence was significantly shorter in the same-age larvae fed on non-transgenic maize when compared to other maize-fed hosts. In the parasitoid developed within same-size hosts, no significant differences in the time to cocoon formation and adult emergence were observed. Moreover, the number of parasitoid cocoons and adults were significantly higher in the same-age host fed on non-transgenic maize, while in the same-size hosts showed no significant difference in these numbers. The results would suggest the attack of parasitoid may be due to the size and age of the hosts. To conclude, the low parasitism and non-emergence of parasitoids observed may be due to the decreased quality of hosts that can not provide sufficient nutrients for development of parasitoid larvae. This present study has helped to understand the direct or indirect effects of Cry1Ab on the non-target insects in the tri-trophic systems that could lead to the changes on host-parasitoid population dynamics in the ecosystem. The ecological relevance of the present study is discussed within a wider context of risk assessment in the environment

Removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by Biomass Derived from Broadleaf Cattail and Water Hyacinth

The potential of cattail (Typha latifolia) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) biomass to remove Pb and Cd ions from metal solutions was determined. The removal efficiency of Pb and Cd decreased with the increase in the initial concentration of metal aqueous solution but increased with the increased biomass doses. The biosorption was unaffected by the increase in pH from 5.0 to 6.5. Metal removal efficiency increased with increased contact time and then reached equilibrium in about 45 min. Higher qmax (the Langmuir model) and KF (the Freundlich constant) suggest that both cattail and water hyacinth biomass have a greater affinity for Pb(II) than Cd(II). The better fitness of the adsorption kinetics in the pseudo-second-order model than in the pseudo-first-order model indicates that biomass has an inclination toward chemisorption. The present study showed that cattail and water hyacinth biomass are promising biosorbents that provide a green, practical, and cheap solution to household water filtering systems in rural communities

Comparative Toxicity of Heavy Metals Cd, Pb, and Zn to Three Acrocarpous Moss Species using Chlorophyll Contents

Mosses have often been used for biomonitoring because of their diversity of habitats, structural simplicity, and rapid multiplication rate. This research aimed to study the tolerance of heavy metal in 3 species of terricolous mosses i.e., Barbula consanguinea, Hyophila apiculata, and H. involuta. The gametophores of mosses were immersed at 4 concentrations of each of the heavy metals Cd, Pb, and Zn as well as in controls with no heavy metal. After 10, 20, and 30 days of exposure, mosses were extracted for chlorophyll-a in ethanol. The extracted chlorophyll-a was analyzed by spectrophotometer at 664 nm. The results revealed that the amount of chlorophyll-a in all species decreased with increasing concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn. The degree of metal toxicity for all species was Cd > Pb > Zn. By comparing the ratio of extracted chlorophyll-a in heavy metal-treated mosses to chlorophyll-a extracted in control mosses, the tolerance against 3 heavy metals in 3 mosses was H. involuta > B. consanguinea > H. apiculata. Possibly, H. involuta can be used for biomonitoring of heavy metals in contaminated environments in the future

Scientific opinion on a request from the European Commission related to the safeguard clause notified by Greece on genetically modified maize MON 810 according to Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC

Following a request of the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority’s Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms (EFSA GMO Panel) evaluated the documentation submitted by Greece in support of its request for the prohibition of the placing on the market of the genetically modified maize MON 810 according to Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC. The EFSA GMO Panel notes that the majority of the publications referred to by Greece were already addressed by the EFSA GMO Panel in previous scientific outputs on maize MON 810 or other related insect-resistant genetically modified maize transformation events. In the remaining evidence provided by Greece, the EFSA GMO Panel could not identify any new data subject to scientific scrutiny or scientific information that would invalidate its previous risk assessments of maize MON 810. With regard to issues related to management and monitoring of maize MON 810, the EFSA GMO Panel refers to its recent recommendations for management and monitoring measures of maize MON 810. In conclusion, the EFSA GMO Panel considers that, based on the documentation submitted by Greece, there is no specific scientific evidence, in terms of risk to human and animal health or the environment, that would support the notification of a safeguard clause under Article 23 of Directive 2001/18/EC and that would invalidate the GMO Panel’s previous risk assessments of maize MON 810