BROMOPROPYLATE JMPR 1973 IDENTITY Chemical name isopropyl-4,4'-dibromobenzilate Synonyms NEORON(R), ACAROL(R) Ciba/Geigy GS-19851 Structural formulaOther information on properties Physical state: White crystalline powder Melting point: 77°C Vapour pressure: 5.5 x 10-7 mm Hg at 20°C 5.25 x 10-3mm Hg at 100°C Density: 1.59 g/cm3 at 20°C Solubility: <0.5 ppm in water at 20°C, soluble in organic solvents Stability: Fairly stable in neutral or slightly acid media; half-life periods in aqueous 10% methanol at PH O (IN HCI) 50 days; at PH 6-7 (water) >3 years; at pH 9 (0.05 M borax buffer) 15 days; Purity: (technical material) Minimum 88% isopropyl-4,4-dibromobenzilate Maximum 12% by-products of manufacture isopropyl-4-bromobenzoate isopropyl ether of isopropyl-4,4 dibromobenzilate isopropyl-4-bromobenzilate isopropyl-alpha,alpha-bis (4 bromophenyl) acetate toluene Details of concentration of individual impurities filed with FAO as confidential information were considered by the meeting. EVALUATION FOR ACCEPTABLE DAILY INTAKE Biochemical aspects Absorption, distribution and excretion Two male and two female rats were each administered by gavage 1.6 mg 14C-labelled bromopropylate. Expired CO2, urine and faeces were collected for the next 120 hours in periods of 24 hours following which blood and other tissues were taken for analysis. Less than 0.2% of activity was found in respired CO2. In males, 90% of activity was found in faeces and 6% in urine while in females 55% appeared in faeces and 33% in urine. About 75% activity was eliminated in 48 hours but after 120 hours 2.6% (males) and 1.5% (females) of the administered dose remained in tissues, mainly kidneys, liver and fat. (Cassidy and Min, 1968). One cow received 0.33 mg/kg/day of 14C-labelled bromopropylate in the diet for five days. After a further 13 days without treatment the animal was killed. In the 20 days 94.9% of the administered activity was recovered, 0.96% in the milk, 20.5% in the urine and 73.4% in the faeces. No activity was detectable in tissues other than adipose tissue which contained 0.06-0.17 ppm at the time of autopsy (Murchison, 1968; Cassidy et al., 1968). Biodegradation Only the parent compound was detected in the adipose tissue and the milk of a cow which had received 0.33 mg/kg/day of 14C-labelled bromopropylate for five days. Most of the activity found in the faeces was the parent compound as shown by analysis of the first post-treatment day sample which contained 92% parent compound, the remainder being unidentified metabolites. The majority of activity in urine consisted of 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid and a more polar unidentified metabolite. Other possible metabolites, 4,4'-dibromobenzohydrol, 4,4'-dibromobenzophenone and 4-bromobenzoic acid were not found (Cassidy et al., 1968). In the faeces of rats administered bromopropylate 60% of activity was parent compound and 20% 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid (Cassidy et al., 1968). Three groups of three beef calves were each fed diets containing 0, 5 and 50 ppm bromopropylate. Fat biopsies were taken after two and eight weeks of feeding and one animal from each group was killed after four and six weeks. After 10 weeks feeding the remaining animal which had been fed on the 5 ppm diet was killed; the one on 50 ppm was maintained on control diet for a further two weeks before it was killed. After four, six and 10 weeks the 5 ppm diet produced respectively levels of 1.5, 1.5 and 2.8 ppm of bromopropylate in the fat. The 50 ppm diet produced fat levels of 7.3 ppm after four, and 8.0 ppm after six weeks. After two weeks an control diet the concentration of bromopropylate in fat had fallen to 0.3 ppm. Muscle tissue contained low residues of unchanged bromopropylate while liver and kidneys also contained 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid during the feeding period. (Cullen and Mattson, 1968; Fancher et al., 1968, b and c.) TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES Special studies on reproduction Rat. Groups of 20 male and 20 female rats in the first generation and groups of 25 male and 25 female rats in the second and third generations were used in a three-generation test (two litters being produced in each generation) and fed on diets containing 0, 2.5 and 5 ppm bromopropylate. In a second test, groups of 25 male and 25 female rats received diets containing 0, 30 and 100 ppm bromopropylate. Through out the tests no abnormalities attributable to bromopropylate were found in the reproductive physiology of male or female rats and there was no evidence of gross abnormalities in the offspring throughout the studies. The number of young in each litter and their growth and survival were normal. The weights of liver, kidneys and spleen were comparable with controls in the rats of the F 3b generation whose parents received 2.5 and 5 ppm diets while spleen and liver weights of F 3b young of parents fed on 30 and 100 ppm diets were slightly higher than controls. No histological abnormalities were found in these animals at any dosage level (Coulston, et al. 1970c; Coulston et al., 1971). Dog. Groups of three male and three female dogs were fed on diets containing 0, 30 and 100 ppm bromopropylate in their diet. After an unstated time the females were mated with males of the same group. All matings resulted in pregnancy and delivery of normally sized litters. The only deformed pup was found in a control litter. All others were normal in appearance, behaviour and development. Increases in the body weight of the pups in most of the litters of groups receiving bromopropylate were similar to those of control pups. The reduced growth rate of one litter of the 100 ppm group was attributed to the results of poor maternal care (Coulston et al., 1970b; Coulston and Benitz, 1972). Acute toxicity The results of tests to investigate the acute toxic action of the compound are summarized in Table 1. TABLE 1. THE ACUTE TOXICITY OF BROMOPROPYLATE LD50 Species Sex Route Purity (mg/kg) Reference Mouse M O Tech 8 000 (Ueda and Kondo, 1968) Rat M+F O Tech >5 000 (Stenger, 1967) Rat M+F O Formulation 6 000 (Drake, 1970) Rat O Formulation >23 100 (Fencher et al., 1968a and b) Short-term studies Rat. Groups of 10 male and 10 female rats received 0, 40, 200, 1000 and 5000 mg bromopropylate/kg bw by gavage as a suspension in 0.5% aqueous tragacanth on six days each week for four weeks. The highest dosage level produced polyuria throughout the 21 days before the animals were killed and for the first eight days pale mucoid faeces were produced. The rate of body weight gain and food intake were reduced in this and the 1000 and 200 mg/kg groups. Rats of the 5000 mg/kg group developed a relative neutrophilia but the results of haematological analyses in all groups were normal. The absolute and relative liver weights were increased in the three highest dosage groups and cytoplasmic swelling and periportal infiltration were seen. Hepatic necrosis occurred at the highest dosage level. At the 40 mg/kg dosage level the one animal which died during the test showed similar abnormalities in the liver; others of the group appeared normal. (Paterson, 1967a). Groups of 12 male and 12 female rats were fed for 90 days on diets containing 0, 100, 300 and 1000 ppm bromopropylate. Another group received diet containing 3000 ppm for 55 days and 4000 ppm for a further 35 days. In the highest dosage level group the food intake and rate of weight gain were below normal and at autopsy the liver, kidney and testes weights were heavier than in controls relative to body weight, and loss of basophil material, pigmentation (possibly lipofuscin) and fatty infiltration were present in hepatocytes. Mild to severe regressive changes were seen in testes on histological examination. At the 1000 ppm level food intake was slightly less than in controls although weight gain was similar. Testes were lighter than in controls and similar histological changes were seen in the liver. At the two lower levels smaller numbers of rats showed loss of basophil material and cytoplasmic swelling with focal vacuolation. These changes were considered to be physiological being attributed to SER hypertrophy, but no EM studies were carried out to confirm this. The results of haematological and blood biochemistry studies and of urine analyses were similar in all groups. (Paterson and Drake, 1967.) Dog. A group of two male and two female dogs received orally, by capsule, lg/kg/bw/day of bromopropylate for 30 days. A second group received 2 g/kg/day for four days, then 0.5 g/kg for a further 26 days. Diarrhoea and vomiting occurred in dogs of both groups. During the first week the food intake was decreased and body weight was lost or the gain in weight was below normal. The results of a haematological examination were normal. Determination of organ weights did not indicate any dose-related changes. In both groups serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels were increased by treatment and cytoplasmic swelling and fine vacuolation of hepatocytes was found. No mature spermatoza were found in male animals but this may have been due to the age of the animals. (Paterson, 1967b.) Four groups of eight male and eight female dogs were fed for two years on diets containing 30, 100, 250 and 1000 ppm bromopropylate. A fifth group received 4000 ppm in the diet for three months. A group of 10 males and 10 females acted as controls. The highest dosage level produced light coloured soft stools after one week and semi-fluid stools thereafter. Food intake was reduced and weight was lost. Two dogs died (after four and six weeks) and two others were killed because they became cachetic. In these four animals increased serum alkaline phosphatase, diminished serum cholesterol and mild anaemia were found. Haemosiderosis of Kupfer cells, proximal tubular cells of the kidney, the spleen and the bone marrow, degenerative changes in the distal convoluted tubules of the kidney, hyperplasia of bone marrow and extramedullary haematopoiesis were seen in these animals at autopsy. In the other animals of the 4000 ppm group killed at three months, accumulation of haemosiderin in the macrophages of the spleen and bone marrow and in Kupfer cells was observed. Examination of liver by EM showed S.E.R. hypertrophy and an increase in numbers of lysosomes, many of which contained lamellar structures. Two male and two female animals were fed for nine months on control diets following three months on 4000 ppm diet. Stools returned to normal consistency within a week and weight was gained normally. Biochemical and haematological parameters also returned to normal in a short time; animals were indistinguishable from controls at the time of autopsy. The 1000 ppm diet also produced softening of stools. Although weight gain by males was normal, females failed to gain weight. Some females showed slight anaemia on some occasions. The microsomal enzymes, biphenyl hydroxylases, showed increased activity and this was associated with an increase in liver weight relative to body weight at six months and at two years (in females only). SER hypertrophy was marked at three months and numerous myelin bodies were also seen. Although at two years the SER hypertrophy was not different from controls, myelin bodies were still present. An increase in microsomal enzymes was found in the 250 ppm group together with an enlarged liver (relative to body weight) at six months but not at two years. No adverse effects were observed in dogs fed on 100 and 30 ppm diets (Coulston et al., 1970b). Long-term studies Rat. Groups of 50 male and 50 female rats were fed for two years on diets containing 0, 15, 30 and 100 ppm bromopropylate. Five male and five female rats from each group were killed after six months and one year and autopsies performed. No changes in appearance or behaviour occurred. Food consumption and weight gain were similar in test and control animals throughout the test and survival rates were similar for the first 18 months. Approximately half of these control female animals alive at 18 months survived to 24 months while only a third of test animals on 30 and 100 ppm levels survived over this period. No alterations attributable to bromopropylate were observed in the results of haematological examinations or serum analyses in test animals. No changes in organ weights of gross or microscopic abnormalities attributable to ingestion of the pesticide were observed in animals examined at any time. However, EM studies on the livers of animals of the 100 ppm group surviving two years showed slightly less glycogen, focal enlargement of intracrestal space in the mitochondria, focal dilatation of SER and more prominent lipid accumulations than livers of control animals. These differences were not considered to be significant pathological alterations in cell ultrastructure. The number of tumours and their location were similar in control and test groups (Coulston et al., 1970a). Comments Bromopropylate is absorbed rapidly and eliminated in both faeces and urine. Faeces contain a high proportion of parent compound while 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid and a more polar (unidentified) metabolite are found in urine. A larger proportion of ingested compound was found in the faeces of male than of female rats. Although the elimination of a single dose was not complete by 120 hours in rats and about 2% of the dose was detectable in tissues, mainly in the kidneys, liver and fat at that time, there was no evidence that bromopropylate or its metabolites are likely to accumulate in tissues. Studies in rats and dogs show no ill-effect on reproductive function and no teratogenic effect was seen in response to diets containing 100 ppm bromobenzilate. The no-effect level in a two-year rat study was 15 ppm in the diet. In female rats exposed to 30 or 100 ppm survival rates were reduced, but only during the last few months of the test. Some abnormalities were observed in the EM appearance of hepatic cells of rats receiving 100 ppm bromopropylate but the toxicological significance of these is doubtful. Rats exposed to more than 100 ppm showed a reduced rate of weight gain, reduced food intake and increased weight of liver and kidneys. The increased liver weight found in dog studies was accompanied by SER hypertrophy and an increase in the activity of microsomal enzymes. Liver enlargement in rats was also associated with histological appearance suggestive of enzyme induction. Dietary levels of about 3000 ppm produced pigmentation and marked fatty infiltration of hepatocytes and degenerative changes in the kidneys and testes of rats. The no-effect level in a two-year dog study was 100 ppm in the diet. The two-year rat study did not indicate that bromopropylate has carcinogenic activity. TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION Level causing no toxicological effect Rat: 15 ppm in the diet equivalent to 0.75 mg/kg bw Dog: 100 ppm in the diet equivalent to 2.5 mg/kg bw Estimate of acceptable daily intake for man 0-0.008 mg/kg bw. RESIDUES IN FOOD AND THEIR EVALUATION Use pattern Bromopropylate was first tested in the field for control of mites in 1966. The product is officially approved or in the process of registration in the following countries: Australia France Portugal Austria Iran South Africa Belgium Israel Spain Bulgaria Italy Switzerland Chile Japan Turkey Cyprus Netherlands USSR Yugoslavia Commercial formulations are emulsifiable solutions containing 25% and 50% active ingredient. Pre-harvest treatments Use recommendations. Bromopropylate is a contact miticide effective against all stages of mites such as Eriophyidae (eriphyid mites), Tenuipalpidae (false spider mites) and Tetranychidae (spider mites) (Vial et al., 1971). Although the chemical does not have a pronounced ovicidal action, it displays some activity on the early egg development stages, Newly hatched larvae are killed by contact with the araricidal deposit on the foliage. Bromopropylate kills mites in all postembryonal stages, whether they are susceptible or resistant to chlorinated hydrocarbons and/or organic phosphate compounds (Westigard and Barry, 1970). The main fields of application are in pome fruit citrus, grapevines, hops and cotton. The recommended application rates in the various crops are given in the following table. The effective dosage rate per unit area depends on the amount of foliage and on the size of the plants being treated: consideration should be given to the foliage surface increase during the growing period of the developing crop. Normally only one treatment would be required if applied before mite populations build up and if climatic conditions were unfavourable to mites. Under some circumstances it is necessary to provide for a second treatment. Post-harvest treatment Bromopropylate is only recommended for application to growing crops. Other uses Bromopropylate is also used on ornamental plants (dosage rate: 37.5-50 g ai/100 l). Residues resulting from supervised trials Pome fruits, stone fruits, grapevines, citrus, bananas, strawberries, vegetables, cotton, tea and hops were treated in field trials with the 25% and 50% ES formulations at recommended concentrations of 25-60 g ai/100 l spray mixture. Residues were determined by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector as well as with a microcoulometric detector. The limits of detection varied from 0.01-0.05 ppm. Data from residue trials conducted in Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, South Africa, Switzerland and the United States of America are compiled in Table 1. TABLE 1. RECOMMENDED APPLICATION RATES OF BROMOPROPYLATE FOR VARIOUS CROPS Crop g ai/100 l g ai/ha Pome fruit 37.5-50 500-750 Stonefruit 37.5-50 500-750 Citrus 37.5-50 500-750 Grapevines 37.5-50 Hops 37.5-50 Cotton 37.5-50 500-750 Soybeans 500-750 Vegetables 400-600 Tea 37.5 Fruits Bromopropylate is a non-systemic and non-penetrating acaricide. It remains on the peel and does not migrate into the pulp of the fruits. Various experiments with labelled and non-labelled bromopropylate in apples, citrus and bananas showed clearly that the pulp of treated fruits contained none or only minute traces of residues. Higher dosages or multiple applications generally yield higher residues, i.e. the quantity of residues soon after application is proportional to the amount of active ingredient applied. The dissipation of residues is mainly due to weathering and growth dilution (Cassidy, 1967). Table 2 shows the residues of bromopropylate immediately and three weeks after treatment and the estimated half-life periods on different crops. It is most noticeable that the level and rate of disappearance of residues on distinctly different varieties of fruit are exceptionally uniform. There is adequate justification for extending the tolerance to include fruits on which there are only limited data. TABLE 2. RESIDUES OF BROMOPROPYLATE AT VARIOUS TIMES AFTER TREATMENT AND ESTIMATED HALF-LIFE PERIODS ON DIFFERENT CROPS Average residues in ppm Half-life Crop Immediately Three weeks period after treatment after treatment (weeks) Apples 1.8 1.0 3-4 Pears 0.7 0.36 3 Plums 1.7 0.75 3 Grapes 1.1 0.70 3 Strawberries 8.3 0.5 1-2 Citrus 1.8 0.9 3 Hops 13-50 4.4-27.0 2 Tea > 20 - <1 Vegetables Residues of bromopropylate in tomatoes and eggplants were 0.12 ppm or less 7-21 days after a single treatment at normal use rates. Cotton Seed and fibres of cotton were analysed separately; in the seeds no residues could be detected three days after treatment of the plants with 50 g bromopropylate/100 l. Tea In trials in Indonesia each sample taken from tea plants on the first, fourth, seventh and ninth day after spraying was divided into two halves. Before residue analysis, one-half of each sample was submitted to the usual process of manufacture (made tea) consisting of withering, rolling, fermentation and firing of tea leaves; the second half of each sample was merely dried at 25°- 30°C (dried leaves). Residues of bromopropylate decreased rapidly on made tea as well as on dried tea (within nine days of application from levels of 22.5-55 ppm to levels of 0.15-2.5 ppm). The estimated half-life period is less than one week. Hops Generally, residue levels are higher in dried than in fresh hops due to concentration during the drying. Practically no evaporation of bromopropylate takes place during drying. Fate of residues In animals A cow received 14C-bromopropylate by capsule for five days at a rate of 0.33 mg/kg/day, corresponding to 9.7 ppm in feed. Within 20 days the radio-activity recovered in faeces, urine and milk amounted to 73.4%, 20.5% and 0.66% respectively. After the last dose, the concentration of 14C-bromopropylate equivalents in milk approached 0.09 ppm and declined rapidly reaching the limit of quantitative determination five days post treatment. Radio-activity showed corresponding behaviour indicating a level of 0.03 ppm at the end of the treatment period. Radio-activity was no longer detected after another four days. When the animal was killed, 20 days after treatment, only fat contained significant radio-activity averaging 0.13 ppm of bromopropylate equivalents. In all other tissues and organs (muscle, liver, kidney, heart, brain, ovary, spleen) radioactivity was below the limit of detection, i.e. 0.01 ppm (Cassidy et al., 1968). The compound was fed during 30 and 70 days to milk cows (Fancher et al., 1968d; Mattson et al., 1968) and to beef calves (Fancher et al., 1968c; Cullen and Mattson, 1968); and the residues followed up in milk, fat tissues, liver, kidney and muscle (see Table 3). The residues in milk were found to be proportional to the feeding levels of bromopropylate in the diet (Mattson et al., 1968) and did not exceed 0.1 ppm at the 5.3 ppm dosage rate. Residues are mainly found in the fatty tissue where they mounted to 2.8 ppm after 70 days at the 5 ppm feeding rate. Bromopropylate is, however, rapidly eliminated from fatty tissues: after two weeks following a 70-day feeding at 50 ppm, only 0.3 ppm of bromopropylate could be found. In muscle 0.19 ppm and 0.42 ppm bromopropylate were detected after feeding 70 days at 5 ppm and 28 days at 50 ppm, respectively. Again a rapid excretion of the compound was observed after cessation of administration (<0.04 ppm two weeks after feeding for 70 days at 50 ppm). In liver and kidney, 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid was found in addition to small amounts of unchanged bromopropylate. The presence of 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid indicated that these organs may be the site of hydrolysis of bromopropylate. The presence of 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid in the kidney was expected since it had also been found to be excreted in the urine (Cullen and Mattson, 1968). TABLE 3. RESIDUES IN MILK OF COWS AND TISSUES OF CALVES PER BROMOPROPYLATE AT VARIOUS RATES FOR 30 AND 70 DAYS, RESPECTIVELY Duration Residues in ppm Animal Bromopropylate of treatment ppma (days) Bromopropylate DBBAb Milk cows 3 30 Milk: 0.06 5.3 0.10 11.7 0.18 54.8 0.84 After: 28 70 28 70c (days) Calves 5 70 Fat: 1.5 2.8 n.d.d n.d. Muscle: <0.04 0.19 n.d. n.d. Liver: 0.16 0.50 0.03 0.14 Kidney: 0.17 0.07 0.03 0.10 After: 28 84 28 84c (days) Calves 50 70 Fat: 7.3 0.3 n.d. n.d. Muscle: 0.42 <0.04 n.d. n.d. Liver: 0.04 <0.04 0.14 n.d. Kidney 0.05 <0.04 0.13 n.d. a Concentration in food. b DBBA = 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid. c Days after first administration, d n.d. = not detectable (<0.02). In a study with calves which were kept on a diet containing 5 and 50 ppm bromopropylate for 70 days (Cullen and Mattson, 1968) residues were determined in various tissues. Residues in muscle, liver and kidney were of the order of 0.5 ppm but decreased to below the limit of determination two weeks after the compound was withdrawn from the feed. Residues in fat reached 8 ppm but declined to 0.3 ppm in 14 days (see Table 4). TABLE 4. RESIDUES IN TISSUES OF CALVES FED BROMOPROPYLATE WITH THEIR DIET AT TWO RATES FOR 10 WEEKS Residues found (ppm) Tissue Weeks Bromopropylate DBBAa analysed 5 ppm 50 ppm 5 ppm 50 ppm fed fed fed fed Fat 4 1.5 7.3 n.d.b n.d. 6 1.5 8.0 n.d. n.d. 10 2.8 - n.d. n.d. 12 -c 0.3 n.d. n.d. Muscle 4 <0.04 0.42 n.d n.d. 6 0.22 0.13 n.d. n.d. 10 0.19 - n.d. n.d. 12 - <0.04 n.d. n.d. Liver 4 0.16 0.04 0.03 0.14 6 0.12 0.11 0.08 0.50 10 0.50 - 0.14 - 12 - <0.04 - <0.02 Kidney 4 0.17 0.05 0.03 0.13 6 0.30 1.04 0.02 0.50 10 0.07 - 0.10 - 12 - <0.04 - <0.02 a DBBA = 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid. b n.d. = not detectable (<0.02). c not analysed. TABLE 5. RECOVERY OF RADIO-ACTIVITY AFTER APPLICATION OF 14C-BROMOPROPYLATE TO SOYBEAN LEAVES Days after treatment 0 8 16 Radio-activity recovered 95.5% 83.9% 62.6% In plants Only slight translocation of bromopropylate was observed in soybeans after topical application of the 14C-labelled compound to the leaves (Hassan and Knowles, 1969). In this study an auto-radiogram of a leaf prepared 39 days after treatment revealed that the bulk of the radio-activity was still confined to this leaf and that only a minute translocation took place into the petiole. Table 5 shows that 95.5, 83.9 and 62.2% of the applied radio-activity was recoverable from these leaves, 0, 8 and 16 days after application. The behaviour of 14C-bromopropylate was followed on apples, apple leaves and in soil after spraying apple trees to run-off with 60 g active ingredient per 100 l spray mixture (Cassidy, 1968; Cassidy et al., 1968), For residue determination, samples were taken periodically until harvest 40 days after treatment. The study showed that bromopropylate remains in the surface waxes of the apple peel and does not penetrate into the pulp). This is clearly documented by the photograph of an apple radio-autogram, (Cassidy, 1968a). Residue levels compiled in Table 6 show only an insignificant amount of bromopropylate in the pulp. These traces of bromopropylate might be due to contamination by the paring knife during the peeling procedure rather than to true penetration of the compound into the pulp. To determine whether any metabolites were present in or on apples at harvest time, aliquots of peel and pulp extracts were chromotographed on TLC-plates and then autoradiographed. Ninety per cent. of the radio-activity was intact bromopropylate, about 2% proved to have the Rf-value of 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid. About 9% of the radio-activity was not extractable, corresponding to a residue value below 0.1 ppm, expressed as bromopropylate. No bromobenzoic acid, 4,4'-dibromobenzophenone, or 4,4'-dibromobenzohydrol were detected. No significant loss of radio-activity from the apples occurred during 40 days. The decrease in residue concentration was mainly due to growth dilution; the values were initially 1.0-1.5 ppm and about 0.5 ppm at harvest. In an experiment (Cassidy, 1967) with a wax coated, flask, streaked with a solution of 14C-bromopropylate and then placed in a wind chamber (turbulent air flow), it could be shown that the loss in bromopropylate by volatilization is practically negligible. To determine whether degradation occurred on or in the apple leaves, random samples were taken after various intervals (Table 6) from two sprayed trees. The leaves were extracted with acidified acetone and water. The acetone was removed and the extract partitioned between chloroform and water. The radio-activity was determined in each phase of the stripping solution and in the residue of the extraction. To characterize the radio-activity in the chloroform fractions, aliquots were chromatographed on TLC. Leaves representing each sampling interval were radio-autographed (Cassidy, 1968b). TABLE 6. RESIDUES OF 14C-BROMOPROPYLATE IN AND ON APPLE FRUITS AND LEAVES AT VARIOUS INTERVALS AFTER TREATMENT ppm values equivalent to 14C-bromopropylate Interval (days) 0 1 ´ 5 12 19 40 Whole apple 1.25 0.5 Peel 8.2 2.3 2.1 5.8 Pulp 0.06 0.03 0.02 0.08 Leaves of tree I 89.9 47.4 49.5 47.3 25 26.1 Leaves of tree II 108.6 69.5 69.3 46.4 19.8 15.3 In these radio-autograms the leaves, especially the veins, were well outlined and even 40 days after application the radioactivity was mainly confined to individual spots indicating that practically no distribution had occurred (Cassidy, 1968b). Immediately after spraying, average ppm levels of 14C-bromopropylate on leaves were about 100, whereas after 40 days they were from 15 and 26. The radio-activity on leaves decreased considerably. However, rain during the fifteenth and sixteenth day after treatment was a main cause of its removal (see Table 6). 14C-bromopropylate is evidently more tenaciously held by waxes on the surface of apple fruits than by waxes on the surface of leaves, as the loss from apple fruits is very slow. At harvest, 40 days after treatment, 94% of the remaining radio-activity on apples was extractable with chloroform. The only transformation product identified was 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid and this amounted to approximately 7%. In soil Residue studies were conducted in various types of soil after direct application as well as after spraying fruit trees. Residues extracted from soils 40 days after treatment with 14C-bromopropylate consisted of up to 95% unchanged bromopropylate. The half life in sandy soil was found to be approximately 60 days and in silt loam approximately 30 days (Kahrs, 1969e, 1970, 1971). In soil samples collected under apple trees treated with 14C-bromopropylate (Cassidy, 1968b) a large variation in radioactivity occurred. The initial level of bromopropylate was about 0.04 ppm. Following heavy rain 40 days after treatment the average was 0.6 ppm. About 1-3% of the extractable radioactive residues were identified as 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid; 4,4'-dibromobenzohydrol and 4,4'-dibromobenaophenone were not detected in soil as was the case in plants and animals. The unextractable radio-activity in soil remained small, about 6-9% (Cassidy, 1968b, 1969, 1970). In storage and processing Fruit cooking Fortified and field-sprayed apple samples were cooked for 15 and 30 minutes (Blass, 1973c) to determine the effect of cooking on the residues. The untreated samples were fortified with 5 ppm bromopropylate. The field treated apples had residues of 0.69 and 0.41 ppm. As indicated in Table 7, cooking for 15 minutes removed 50% or more bromopropylate in both the fortified and the field-sprayed samples. After 30 minutes cooking only about 20% of the compound could be detected. TABLE 7. RESIDUES OF BROMOPROPYLATE IN APPLES AFTER COOKING THE FORTIFIED AND TREATED SAMPLES Sample ppm ppm before Time of cooking ppm found added cooking (minutes) 15 2.5 Fortified 5.0 5.0 30 1.3 15 0.27 0.67 30 0.10 Sprayed - 15 0.20 0.41 30 0.07 Tea - manufacture and brewing The tea manufacturing process consisting of withering, rolling, fermentation and firing the tea leaves has considerable effect on the level of residues of bromopropylate on tea. A series of trials in Indonesia showed that the manufacturing process reduced the levels to 35-40% of the level found after air-drying alone (19.5 ppm declined to 8.3 ppm). Experiments in India showed that little, if any, of the bromopropylate in tea leaves was extracted by the hot water in the brewing process. The wet leaves after brewing contained almost the same amount of residue as the same leaves before brewing. Methods of residue analysis Residues of bromopropylate can be determined by specific methods utilizing gas chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. Electron-capture detectors, microconlometric detectors and flame ionization detectors have been successfully used (Geigy, 1968, 1968a, 1969; Cannizzaro et al., 1968). For the determination of bromopropylate in hops and beer a more rigid clean-up was developed (Geigy, 1968b). Residues of bromopropylate in milk and animal tissues were determined by GLC using electron capture detector (Geigy, 1968c). National tolerances Tolerances and waiting periods for bromopropylate in different countries are compiled in Table 8. The values for tolerances and waiting periods vary considerably from country to country for the same crop, as a result of different climatic conditions, and differences in agricultural practices - both factors influencing the rate of dissipation of the residue. TABLE 8. NATIONAL TOLERANCES AND WAITING PERIODS FOR BROMOPROPYLATE ON PLANT PRODUCTS Countries Crops Tolerance Waiting (ppm) period (days) Australia Pome & stone fruits 5 21 Austria Pome & stone fruits - horticultural crops - 21 Bulgaria General - 7 France Pome & stone fruits - 15 grapevines Israel Citrus, grapevines, - 7 apples, pears, vegetables Japan Fruits, citrus, hops - - TABLE 8. (Cont'd.) Countries Crops Tolerance Waiting (ppm) period (days) Netherlands Apples & pears 2 21 South Africa Bananas, 5 14 citrus, cotton 5 10 Spain Fruits - 15 Switzerland Pome & stone fruits 1.5 21 USSR Cotton - 20 Yugoslavia Field crops, fruits, - 7 vegetables, strawberries - 10 Appraisal Bromopropylate (isopropyl-4-4'-dibromobenzilate) is a contact miticide active against all stages of a wide range of mites. The main fields of application are in pome and stone fruits, citrus, grapevines, hops and cotton where it is applied at the rate of 37.5-50 g/100 l. It is registered for sale in more than 15 countries. The properties and uses are in many ways similar to those of chlorobenzilate and chloropropylate (FAO/WHO 1965b, 1969b, 1973b). Commercial formulations are only emulsifiable solutions. The technical grade contains a minimum of 88% isopropyl-4, 4'-dibromobenzilate. The impurities have been identified and quantified. Bromopropylate is only recommended for application to growing plants. Usually one treatment is sufficient but multiple applications are necessary in some instances. No post-harvest treatments are approved and to date there are no uses on animals. Bromopropylate is non-systemic and non-penetrating. It shows remarkable residual effect against mites on leaves. It remains on the peel and does not migrate into the pulp of fruits. The concentration of residues is proportional to the amount of active ingredient applied. Multiple applications have an additive effect and result in higher residues. The dissipation of residues is mainly due to weathering and growth dilution. The half-life period on most fruits is three weeks though on leafy crops such as hops and tea the rate of dissipation is much greater. Extensive data were available from supervised field trials on pome fruits, stone fruits, grapes, citrus, strawberries, bananas, vegetables, cotton, hops and tea in 11 countries. TABLE 9. Application Interval between last treatment and sampling (days) Country Commodity Residues of bromopropylate in ppm (year) Number of Dose g a.i./ analysed Formulation treatment 100 l 0 7 14 21 28 35 42 APPLES Switzerland 25E 1 37.5 Whole fruit 2.0 1.1 1.2 0.8 0.9 0.8 (1966) Peel 9.0 Switzerland 50E 1 25 Whole fruit 2.2 1.4 1.0 0.5 0.08 (1967) 50E 1 37.5 Whole fruit 2.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.15 South Africa 25E 1 37.5 Whole fruit 2.0 1.3 1.5 (1969) USA 25E 1 30 Whole fruit 1.2 0.48 0.73 0.88 0.31 0.36 (Washington) 25E 1 60 Whole fruit 1.8 1.3 0.94 0.67 0.49 0.67 (1968) Australia 30E 2 37.5 Whole fruit 1.85 1.07 1.15 1.01 0.77 0.77 (1970) 30E 1 75 Whole fruit 1.76 1.46 1.3 1.21 1.16 1.17 30E 2 37.5 Whole fruit 1.59 1.42 1.04 0.8 0.8 0.75 30E 2 75 Whole fruit 3.58 2.44 2.45 2.06 1.93 1.87 30E 2 50 Whole fruit 2.23 1.81 1.43 1.38 1.37 1.28 1.27 30E 2 50 Whole fruit 2.73 2.73 2.27 2.25 2.10 1.9 1.97 PEARS Switzerland 25E 1 25 Whole fruit 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.4 (1967) 25E 1 37.5 Whole fruit 0.85 0.65 0.65 0.5 0.3 50E 1 25 Whole fruit 0.5 0.5 0.35 0.25 0.4 50E 1 37.5 Whole fruit 0.85 0.55 0.3 0.3 0.6 TABLE 9. (Cont'd.) Application Interval between last treatment and sampling (days) Country Commodity Residues of bromopropylate in ppm (year) Number of Dose g a.i./ analysed Formulation treatment 100 l 0 7 14 21 28 35 42 Switzerland 25E 1 37.5 Whole fruit (1971) South Africa 50E 1 75 Whole fruit 2.0 1.0 1.0 (1969) BANANAS 50E 1 25 Peel 5.6 South Africa Pulp 0.19 (1968) GRAPES Switzerland 50E 1 25 Whole fruit 1.0 0.9 1.1 0.8 0.4 0.2 0.2 (1967) 37.5 Whole fruit 1.2 1.2 1.5 2.1 1.8 0.4 0.4 25E 1 25 Whole fruit 0.7 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.15 25E 1 37.5 Whole fruit 0.6 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.4 50 1 25 Whole fruit 0.7 0.8 0.4 0.3 0.2 50 1 37.5 Whole fruit 0.9 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.3 25E 1 25 Whole fruit 0.9 1.1 0.9 0.5 0.7 0.4 0.4 25E 1 37.5 Whole fruit 1.3 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.6 0.5 Israel 50E 1 75 3.4 1.5 (1972) GRAPEFRUIT USA 25E 1 30 Whole fruit 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.3 (California) 25E 1 60 Whole fruit 1.3 (1968) LIMES USA 25E 3 30 Whole fruit 0.96 1.5 1.4 0.96 TABLE 9. (Cont'd.) Application Interval between last treatment and sampling (days) Country Commodity Residues of bromopropylate in ppm (year) Number of Dose g a.i./ analysed Formulation treatment 100 l 0 7 14 21 28 35 42 (Florida) 25E 3 60 Whole fruit 2.7 2.5 2.8 (1968) 25E 3 + oil 60 Whole fruit 3.0 3.3 2.9 ORANGES Israel 50E 1 25 Peel 1.9 1.4 1.65 1.65 (1973) Pulp 0.05 0.055 <0.04 0.045 PEACHES Australia 30ES 1 airblast 50 Whole fruit 3.1 2.02 1.36 1.21 1.13 0.5 (1970) 30ES 1 hand spray 50 Whole fruit 6.9 3.8 2.58 1.61 1.13 0.7 30ES 1 airblast 37.5 Whole fruit 2.86 1.35 0.70 0.66 0.79 0.3 30ES 1 airblast 37.5 Whole fruit 1.68 1.00 0.92 0.71 0.54 0.51 PLUMS Switzerland 25E 1 25 Whole fruit 2.1 1.1 0.8 0.7 1.2 0.7 (1967) 25E 1 37.5 Whole fruit 1.9 2.3 1.4 1.0 1.4 0.6 50E 1 25 Whole fruit 1.4 0.4 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.3 50E 1 37.5 Whole fruit 1.7 1.4 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.3 25E 1 37.5 Whole fruit 1.5 1.2 0.7 STRAWBERRIES USA - 2 60 Fruits 8.3 (Florida) (1969) TABLE 9. (Cont'd.) Application Interval between last treatment and sampling (days) Country Commodity Residues of bromopropylate in ppm (year) Number of Dose g a.i./ analysed Formulation treatment 100 l 0 7 14 21 28 35 42 TOMATOES Israel 50E 1 1 kg a.i./ha Whole fruit <0.10 0.11 <0.10 (1971) 0.12 <0.10 0.10 EGG-PLANTS Israel 50E 1 1 kg a.i./ha Fruits <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 (1971) <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 3 9 14 16 COTTON South Africa 50E 1 50 Seed <0.02 <0.02 <0.02 (1968) Fibres 0.22 0.06 0.11 0 1 4 7 9 14 15 21 26 37 TEA Indonesia 50E 1 18.75 Dried leaves 22.5 19.5 1.7 0.15 (1968) Manufactured 30.0 8.3 3.8 2.5 50E 1 37.5 Dried leaves 55.0 20.5 19.5 0.5 Manufactured 7.8 4.9 0.36 TABLE 9. (Cont'd.) Application Interval between last treatment and sampling (days) Country Commodity Residues of bromopropylate in ppm (year) Number of Dose g a.i./ analysed Formulation treatment 100 l 0 1 4 7 9 14 15 21 26 37 HOPS Germany 25E 1 25 Fresh 12.8 10.7 6.0 3.9 (1967) 25E 1 25 Dried 56.5 38.0 27.0 27.4 25E 1 25 Fresh 13.0 8.6 5.8 4.8 25E 1 25 Dried 43.0 32.0 32.0 27.4 The rate of dissipation has been measured by chemical analysis as well as with radio-labelled compound and it is evident that volatilization is not significant. Rain is an important factor in reducing residues but this affects leaves more than fruit, no doubt due to the protective effect of the heavier wax layers on fruits. The residues at harvest are principally the parent compound with approximately 7% being 4,4'-dibromobenzilic acid. No bromobenzoic acid, 4,4'-dibromobenzophenone or 4,4'-dibromobenzohydrol could be detected. Studies were available to show the fate of residues in soil, animals, and in fruit, vegetables and plant materials subjected to processing. Following application to soil, bromopropylate is slowly leached throughout the top 10 cm. After 40-60 days the residue extracted from both sandy soil and loam consists of unchanged bromopropylate. The half-life in arable soil is of the order of 60 days. When fed to dairy cows at rates corresponding to 5-55 ppm in the ration, bromopropylate residues were found in milk though even at the highest level the residue did not exceed 1 ppm. Following withdrawal of the chemical from the feed residues in milk declined below limit of detection in seven days. Calves fed bromopropylate accumulated significant amounts in fat but only small quantities in muscle, kidney and liver. Accumulated residues disappeared within 14 days of withdrawing the chemical from rations. Cooking removed 50% of residues on apples in 15 minutes and 80% in 30 minutes. No residues could be detected in brewed tea or beer made from tea leaves and hops respectively containing residues at the highest level likely to be encountered in practice. Analytical methods specific to bromopropylate are available. These use GLC with either electron capture, microcoulometric or flame ionization detectors. In the hands of those who developed the methods, the limit of determination was reported to be from 0.01 to 0.05 ppm. National tolerances have been established in only three countries. RECOMMENDATIONS Approved uses of bromopropylate will give rise to unavoidable residues which will decline slowly between application and harvest. However, following good agricultural practice, including waiting periods of the following order, the residues at harvest will not exceed the following limits which are recommended as maximum residue limits for the specified commodities moving in trade. Where single treatments are adequate to control mite infestations, residues will be considerably less. No significant loss of residues is expected during storage or shipping. Preparation and processing will reduce residue levels considerably so that food as consumed will contain only a fraction of the amount of residues indicated. Based on interval Tolerances (days) (ppm) from application to harvest Apples, bananas (whole), 5 21 cherries, citrus, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, prunes Strawberries 5 14 Hops (dried) 5 56 Tea (manufactured) 5 8 Vegetables, cotton seed 1 14 Banana (pulp), citrus pulp 0.2 21 FURTHER WORK OR INFORMATION Desirable 1. Studies to elucidate the effects on survival rate of rats on long-term feeding. 2. Long-term studies in a second species of animal. 3. Studies on the effects of bromopropylate on the liver. REFERENCES Blass, W. Neoron-Cooking experiments with apples. Report SPR 22/73 1973c Cannizzaro, R., Cullen, T., Kahrs, R. A, and Mallsen, A. M. 1968 Specificity of gas-chromatographic determination of Acarol residues, Unpublished from Geigy Chemical Corporation, N.Y. Cassidy, J.F. Progress report. Fate of 14C GS 19851 on 1967 apples. Unpublished report from Geigy Chemical Corporation, N.Y. Cassidy, J.E. Fate of 14C GS 19851 on apples. A balance 1968a study. Unpublished report from Geigy Chemical Corporation, N.Y. Cassidy, J.E. Fate of 14C GS 19851 on apples. A balance 1968 study. Unpublished report from Geigy Chemical Corporation, Ardsley, N.Y. Cassidy, J.E. Persistence and stability of 14C GS 19851 in 1969 soil Cassidy, J.E. Further studies on persistence and stability 1970 of [missing text] in soil. Cassidy, J.E. and Min, B. Metabolic fate of 14C GS 19851 in 1968 white rats. A balance study. Unpublished report from Geigy Chemical Corporation, Ardsley, N.Y. Cassidy, J.E., Mattson, A., Cullen, T. and Min, B. The 1968 metabolic fate of 14C GS 19851 administered to a cow by capsules; Unpublished report from Geigy Chemical Corporation, Ardsley, N.Y. Ciba/Geigy Comprehensive results of supervised trials with 1969/73 bromopropylate. Unpublished reports filed with FAO, August 1971 Coulston, F., Fabian, R.J. and Benitz, K.F. Two-year safety 1970a evaluation study of isopropyl 4,4'-dibromobenzilate in albino rats by dietary feeding. Unpublished report from Institute of Experimental Pathology and Toxicology, Albany Medical College, Albany, N.Y. Submitted by Geigy Chemical Corporation. Coulston, F., Fabian, R.J., Abraham, R. and Benitz, K. F. 1970b Two-year safety evaluation of isopropyl 4,4'- dibromobenzilate in beagle dogs. Unpublished report from Institute of Experimental Pathology and Toxicology, Albany Medical College, Albany, N.Y. Submitted by Geigy Chemical Corporation Coulston, F., Le Fevre, R. and Fabian, R. Three generation 1971a study with GS 19 851 in albino rats. Unpublished report from the Institute of Experimental Pathology and Toxicology, Albany Medical College, Albany, N.Y. Submitted by Geigy Chemical Corporation Coulston, F., Le Fevre, R. and Fabian, R. Three generation 1971b study with GS 19 851 in albino rats. Unpublished report from the Institute of Experimental Pathology and Toxicology, Albany Medical College, Albany, N.Y. Submitted by Geigy Chemical Corporation Coulston, F. and Benitz, K.F. Supplemental data on studies 1972 made with GS 19 851 in beagle dogs. Unpublished report from the Institute of Experimental Pathology and Toxicology, Albany Medical College, Albany, N.Y. Submitted by Geigy Chemical Corporation. Cullen, F. and Mattson, A. Storage of Acarol in tissues of 1968 calves fed two levels of Acarol for ten weeks. Unpublished report from Geigy Chemical Corporation, Ardsley, N.Y. Drake, J.C. A 2443 A - Acute median lethal dose in rats. 1970 Unpublished report from Geigy (U.K.) Ltd., Stamford Lodge, Wilmslow, England Fancher, O. E., Jackson, G. and Kodras, R. Milk residue study 1968 with GS 19851 - IBT No. J 6328. Unpublished report of Bio-Test Laboratories Incorporated (USA) Fancher, O. E., Schoenig, G. and Keplinger, M. L. Acute 1968a toxicity studies on GS 19 851 2 E (GA-494) - IBT No. A 6194. Unpublished report from the Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories Incorporated, Northbrook, Illinois. Submitted by Geigy Chemical Corporation Fancher, O.E., Schoenig, G. and Keplinger, M. L. Acute 1968b toxicity studies on GS 19 851 25 W (GA-481) IBT No. A 6196. Unpublished report from the Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories Incorporated, Northbrook, Illinois. Submitted by Geigy Chemical Corporation Fancher, O.E., Jackson, G. and Palazzolo, R. Meat residue 1968C study - beef calves - GS-19 851 - IBT No. J 6329 - Unpublished report from Industrial Bio-Test Laboratories Incorporated, Northbrook, Illinois. Submitted by Geigy Chemical Corporation. FAO/WHO Evaluations of some pesticide residue in food (1965, 1965b, 1968 and 1972 respectively). Monographs of Joint 1969b FAO/WHO meeting of Experts on Pesticide Residues 1973b Geigy Geigy Chemical Corporation, Ardsley, N.Y. Unpublished 1968-69 Reports filed with FAO (August 1973) Geigy Australia Geigy Australia Ltd, Kemps Creek, New South Wales. 1970 Reports of residue trials on apples and peaches. Filed with FAO (November 1973) Geigy, J. R. R. Geigy A.G., Basle, Switzerland. Comprehensive reports 1967-69 of residue trials. Filed with FAO (August 1973) Hassan, T. K. and Knowles, Ch. O. Behaviour of three C14 labelled 1969 benzilate acaricides when applied topically to soybean leaves. J. Econ. Ent., 62: 618 Kahrs, R. A. Reports of residue trials. Geigy Chemical 1969-71 Corporation, N.Y. Filed with FAO (August 1973) Mallsen, A. M., Gemma, A., Kahrs, R. and Cullen, T. Residues found in milk of cows fed four levels of Acarol in their diet for 30 days. Unpublished report from Geigy Chemical Corporation Murchison, T. E. Metabolic study of 14C GS 19 851 in a cow. 1968 Unpublished report from Dawson Research Corporation, Orlando, Florida. Submitted by Geigy Chemical Corporation Paterson, R. A. and Drake, J.C. GS 19 851 13-week oral toxicity 1967 study in rats. Final report - Amendment to the report. Unpublished from Geigy (U.K.) Ltd., Stamford Lodge, Wilmslow, England Paterson, R. A. GS 19 851 28-day oral toxicity study in rats. 1967a Final report. Unpublished, from Geigy (U.K.) Ltd., Stamford Lodge, Wilmslow, England Paterson, R. A. GS 19 851 30-day oral toxicity study in dogs. 1967b Final Report. Unpublished, from Geigy (U.K.) Ltd., Stamford Lodge, Wilmslow, England Stenger, E. G. Akute Toxizität, Ratte per os, Nr. 295/14217. 1967 Unpublished report from J. R. Geigy Ltd., Basle, Switzerland Ueda, K. and Kondo, T. Report on experiment of acute toxicity. 1968 Unpublished report from Tokyo Dental College, Hygienics Laboratory, Tokyo, Japan. Submitted by Geigy Chemical Corporation Vial, J., Ostrovsky, V. and Monterrat, G. Un nouveau 1971 acaricide: le dibromobenzilate d'isopropyl. Phytiat - Phytopharm. 20: 31 Westigard, P. H. and Barry, D. W. Life history and control of 1970 the yellow spider mite on pear in southern Oregon. J. Econ. Entom., 63: 1433
See Also: Toxicological Abbreviations Bromopropylate (Pesticide residues in food: 1993 evaluations Part II Toxicology)