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Abstract
Pesticide toxicity databases usually include data on pure chemicals (active ingredients). Technical pesticides formulations, however, are mixtures with adjuvants as applied to fields/crops. Two formulations of the same pesticide can differ in their environmental fate and their toxicity. This work presents the evaluation of the toxicity of the dinitroaniline herbicide, pendimethalin by simultaneous analysis of its respiration rate and generation of a membrane potential (Δ Ψ) in rat liver mitochondria. Chromatography grade pendimethalin (8.2·10−5 ‐ 5.47·10−4 M or 23 – 154 ppm) caused lower enhancement of the mitochondrial respiration and decrease of the Δ Ψ than technical grade pendimethalin (Stomp), i.e. the mixture of pure ingredient and adjuvant(s). These effects are comparable to those of 2,4‐dinitrophenol. Pure and technical grade pendimethalin acts as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria (enhances respiration and diminishes Δ Ψ). These data conflict with the statement, presented in the US EPA manual Recognition and Management of Pesticides Poisonings, that pendimethalin does not act as an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Dr Onutė Šakalienė (Lithuanian Agricultural Institute, Voke Branch) for donation of samples of the pure chemical pendimethalin, technical herbicides Stomp, Lontrel and for suggestions for the analysis of technical herbicide products. This study was supported by the EU through its programme Centres of Excellence, project CEBIOLA (Cell Biology and Lasers: Towards New Technologies), ICA1‐CT‐2000–70027. The authors would also like to thank Dr Mervyn Richardson for his general assistance and the editor, Dr Michael Brett‐Crowther, for his encouragement.