Available online on 15.09.2023 at ijmspr.com

 International Journal of Medical Sciences and Pharma Research 

Open Access to Medical Science and Pharma Research

Copyright  © 2023 The  Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC 4.0 which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use provided the original author and source are credited

Literature Study: Overview of Cholinesterase Enzyme Activity in Horticultural Farmers Exposed to Organophosphates and Carbamates 

Diah Lestari *, Yorina Astutik                

Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Jakarta III, Indonesia

INTRODUCTION

Collaboration and technological innovation in agriculture and plantations have been widely applied by horticultural farmers to increase productivity and profitability. However, despite this, farmers still always deal with pests that become obstacles in crop production and cultivation so that spraying pesticides is an effort made by farmers to control and kill pests¹ (Pratama et al., 2021). The uncontrolled use of pesticides due to the cover blanket system method, results in consistent exposure to farmers. Nationally in 2019 there were 334 cases of pesticide poisoning with 147 cases of agricultural pesticides as the causative group. Organophosphates and Carbamates are the types of pesticides most commonly used by farmers. these two types of pesticides have anti-cholinesterase properties that can suppress cholinesterase activity in red blood cells and synapses.

Cholinesterases are a family of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) into choline and acetic acid, a reaction necessary to allow cholinergic neurons to return to a resting state after activation. ACh functions as a carrier and messenger in preganglionic sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons and also acts as a nerve conductor in all parasympathetic-containing organs of the adrenal medulla.

ACh is synthesized through a single-step reaction catalyzed by the enzyme choline acetyltransferase biosynthesis and the presence of this enzyme is a "marker" that the neuron is cholinergic. ACh is released from the neuron during neurotransmission and binds to nicotinic and muscarinic ACh receptors on the postsynaptic membrane, conveying signals from the nerve.  The postsynaptic membrane is home to AChE, which stops signal transmission by hydrolyzing ACh. The pre-synaptic nerve absorbs the choline freed from ACh breakdown once again, and choline acetyltransferase uses it to combine with acetyl-CoA to make neurotransmitters (Colovic et al., 2013).

In organophosphate and carbamate pesticide poisoning, the hydrolysis reaction of Ach into choline and acetic acid will be inhibited where the active side of the cholinesterase enzyme that should bind to acetylcholine will bind to the active substances of organophosphates and carbamates. This results in the accumulation of acetylcholine at muscarinic, nicotinic, & CNS synapses (Balqis et al., 2019).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This research is written using the literature review method which aims to compile, tabulate and compare research results, then summarize the entire research. Journal searches in the research conducted using keywords, year ranges, and sorting according to relevance specify and expand during searches to make it easier when determining which journals to review. In this study, the journal search used keywords namely "pesticide poisoning in farmers" and "organophosphate & carbamate pesticides" the search for journals reviewed in this study was sourced from journals related to the research topic using the Google Scholar, Neliti, and ResearchGate databases.

RESULTS

The results of research on the description of cholinesterase enzyme activity in farmers exposed to organophosphates and carbamates based on literature studies are as follows

Of the five journals searched, it was found that the gender that experienced the most decrease in cholinesterase enzyme activity was male with a percentage of the number of farmers who experienced a decrease in cholinesterase enzyme as much as 67% of the total respondents. In his research, Hermawan (2018) stated that this happened because of the lack of maximum data collection of respondents. Where in this gender variable only 2 female respondents were obtained and 46 male respondents so that the statistical test found that gender was not associated with cholinesterase levels in the blood of farmers.

Of the six journals searched, it was found that the age that experienced the most decline in cholinesterase enzymes was productive age with a percentage of the number of farmers who experienced a decrease in cholinesterase enzymes as much as 40% of the total respondents. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) quoted by Darmawan and quoted again by Utami (2021), it is explained that younger workers (those under 20 years of age) have cholinesterase activity that tends to decrease faster than older workers, especially if exposed or exposed to pesticides which can exacerbate the effects of poisoning. The longer a person works with pesticides, the more exposure they receive, which reduces the efficacy of their immune system and impairs their body's ability to fight toxic substances. This effect increases with age.

Of the seven journals searched, it was found that a decrease in cholinesterase enzyme activity occurred mostly in farmers with a poor level of knowledge with a percentage of the number of farmers who experienced a decrease in cholinesterase enzymes as much as 47% of the total respondents. One of the main determinants of behavior is the level of knowledge. Cholinesterase activity in the blood will be influenced by farmers' knowledge about pesticides, their use, and pesticide management because this affects the use of pesticides by farmers (Ipmawati et al., 2016). Farmers who do not have knowledge about pesticides are more likely to be poisoned than farmers who have knowledge about pesticides (Purnomo, 2021).

Of the seven journals searched, it was found that the decrease in cholinesterase enzyme activity occurred mostly in farmers with a spraying frequency of > 2 times / week with a percentage of the number of farmers who experienced a decrease in cholinesterase enzyme as much as 41% of the total respondents. Based on the review of the journal Ipmawati et al., (2016) the possibility of pesticide poisoning farmers will increase along with the increasing number of agricultural land that began spraying. The length of time farmers spend spraying also affects how often they spray, therefore, the more often farmers spray their fields, the greater the risk of pesticide poisoning. Purnomo's research (2021) states that spraying too often can cause the cholinesterase enzyme to decrease.

Of the nine journals searched, it was found that the decrease in cholinesterase enzyme activity occurred mostly in farmers with a working period of >5 years with a percentage of the number of farmers who experienced a decrease in cholinesterase enzyme as much as 48% of the total respondents. The amount of pesticide buildup that enters the body correlates with the length of time farmers work. In general, the longer farmers spray continuously and over a longer period of time, the greater their chances of being poisoned and experiencing more severe poisoning (Ipmawati et al., 2016).

Of the eight journals searched, it was found that the decrease in cholinesterase enzyme activity occurred mostly in farmers with incomplete use of PPE with a percentage of the number of farmers who experienced a decrease in cholinesterase enzyme as much as 49% of the total respondents. It has been proven that using the right PPE and using it in appropriate conditions can reduce the risk of pesticide exposure for workers who spray pests. In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, PPE is a tool that can protect workers because it can protect workers from various risks and hazards that may arise in the workplace. Farmers' health is maintained by the use of appropriate PPE, so as to reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous pesticides.

Of the six journals searched, it was found that a decrease in cholinesterase enzyme activity occurred in farmers with a length of spraying time >3 hours / day with a percentage of the number of farmers who experienced a decrease in cholinesterase enzyme as much as 52% of the total respondents. research conducted by Mutiara (2019) which states there is a relationship between the length of spraying with cholinesterase activity. In line with research conducted by Ipmawati (2016), Tutu (2020), Istianah (2018), and Saragih (2019). The above research is not in line with research conducted by Budiawan (2013) and Mastra (2019) who found no relationship between the length of spraying and the decrease in cholinesterase enzyme activity in farmers. In his research, Budiawan (2013) stated that there are other factors that can also affect the length of spraying such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by farmers. Most farmers only wear hats, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and trousers, regardless of the importance of using PPE. Mastra (2019) who also stated that the use of pesticides in a short time can already make farmers sick or experience a decrease in cholinesterase enzyme activity.

Of the eight journals searched, it was found that many researchers used the Tintometer Kit method with a percentage of 62% of the total literature. And the photometric kinetic test method with a spectrophotometer with a percentage of 37% of the total literature to analyse cholinesterase enzyme activity. Based on 18 journals searched, 6 journals used the Tintometer kit method, 3 journals used the photometric kinetic test method, and 9 other journals did not include the method used in analysing the cholinesterase enzyme.

CONCLUSION 

1. There is no relationship between gender and cholinesterase enzyme activity in horticultural farmers.
2. There is no relationship between age and cholinesterase enzyme activity in horticultural farmers.
3. The results of the literature study from 7 journals searched, 5 journals stated that there was a relationship while the other 2 journals stated that there was no relationship between cholinesterase enzyme activity and risk factors for knowledge level.
4. The results of the literature study from 7 journals searched, 5 journals stated that there was a relationship while the other 2 journals stated that there was no relationship between cholinesterase enzyme activity and the risk factor of spraying frequency.
5. The results of the literature study from 9 journals searched, 6 journals stated that there was a relationship while the other 3 journals stated that there was no relationship between cholinesterase enzyme activity and the risk factor of working period.
6. There is a relationship between the use of PPE and cholinesterase enzyme activity in horticultural farmers.
7. The results of the literature study from 6 journals searched, 4 journals stated that there was a relationship while the other 2 journals stated that there was no relationship between cholinesterase enzyme activity and the risk factor of spraying duration.
8. Tintometer kit and photometric kinetic test are the most widely used methods to determine cholinesterase enzyme activity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you to institution Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Jakarta III

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared

REFERENCES

Amalia, M. E. (2019). Faktor Risiko yang Berhubungan dengan Kejadian Keracunan Pestisida pada Petani di Kabupaten Semarang (Studi Kasus di Desa Kadirejo Kecamatan Pabelan dan Desa Pakis Kecamatan Bringin). In Skripsi. Fakultas Ilmu Keolahragaan. Universitas Negeri Semarang.

Balqis, D., Hidayati, I., Studi, P., Dokter, P., Kedokteran, F., & Lampung, U. (2019). Organophosphate Intoxication with Acute Cholinergic Crisis , Intermediate Syndrome and Organophospate-Induced Delayed Polyneuropathy. J Agromedicine, 6, 337–342.

Colovic, M. B., Krstic, D. Z., Lazarevic-Pasti, T. D., Bondzic, A. M., & Vasic, V. M. (2013). Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: Pharmacology and Toxicology. Current Neuropharmacology, 11(3), 315–335. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159x11311030006

Hermawan, I., Widjasena, B., & Kurniawan, B. (2018). Faktor-Faktor yang Berhubungan Dengan Aktivitas Kolinesterase Darah pada Petani Jambu di Desa Pesaren Kecamatan Sukorejo Kabupaten Kendal. Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat, 6(4), 309–320. http://ejournal3.undip.ac.id/index.php/jkm

Horimu, C. E., Pinontoan, O. R., Akili, R. H., Kesehatan, F., Universitas, M., & Ratulangi, S. (2017). PENYEMPROT PESTISIDA TANAMAN HORTIKULTURA DI PERKEBUNAN WAWO MATANI KOTA TOMOHON 2017 Penduduk Indonesia merupakan penganggu seefektif dan pestisida ( Hasibuan , 2015 ). Kontaminasi pestisida pada penduduk yang sebagian besar bermata pencaharian petani se. 1–10.

Ipmawati, P. A., Onny, S., & Yusniar, H. D. (2016). Analisis Faktor-faktor Risiko Yang Mempengaruhi Tingkat Keracunan Pestisida pada Petani di Desa Jati, Kecamatan Sawangan, Kabupaten Magelang, Jawa Tengah. Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat, 4(1), 427–435.

Istinah, Y. ari. (2018). Hubungan Masa Kerja, Lama Menyemprot, Jenis Pestisida, Penggunaan APD dan Pengelolaan Pestisida dengan Kejadian Keracunan Pada Petani di Brebes. Public Health Perspective Journal, 2(2), 117–123.

Mastra, N. (2019). Gambaran Kadar Enzim Kolinesterase Dalam Darah Pada Kelompok Tani Mekar Nadi Di Desa Batunya Kecamatan Baturiti. Meditory : The Journal of Medical Laboratory, 6(2), 108–115. https://doi.org/10.33992/m.v6i2.455

Mathematics, A. (2016). 済無No Title No Title No Title. 5(2), 1–23.

Nasyuddin, M. F. (2013). ` JURNAL KESEHATAN MASYARAKAT 2013, Volume 2, Nomor 1, Tahun 2013 Online di. Faktor Risiko Kejadian Penyakit Demam Tifoid Pada Penderita Yang Dirawat Di Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah Ungaran, 2(1), 1–10. http://ejournals1.undip.ac.id/index.php/jkm

Nurillah, G. K. (2020). Hubungan Kadar Kolinesterase Terhadap Kadar Hemoglobin Pada Petani Terpapar Pestisida Organofosfat Dan Karbamat Di Kabupaten Jember. In Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Jember (Issue September 2019).

Penuh, K. S. (2018). Jurnal Kesehatan Perintis ( Perintis ’ s Health Journal ) Volume 5 Nomor 1 Tahun 2018 Jurnal Kesehatan Perintis ( Perintis ’ s Health Journal ) Volume 5 Nomor 1 Tahun 2018 P-ISSN : 2355-9853 Pestisida secara harfiah berarti pembunuh hama , berasal dari ka. 5.

Pratama, D. A., Setiani, O., & Darundiati, Y. H. (2021). Studi Literatur : Pengaruh Paparan Pestisida Terhadap Gangguan Kesehatan Petani. Jurnal Riset Kesehatan Poltekkes Depkes Bandung, 13(1), 160–171. https://doi.org/10.34011/juriskesbdg.v13i1.1840

Purnomo, A. (2021). Evaluasi Aktivitas Enzim Kolinesterase Pada Kelompok Tani Kecamatan Trimurdjo Kabupaten Lampung Tengah Pendahuluan Pestisida adalah bahan dan bahan yang untuk memusnahkan atau mencegah hama dan atau barang atau bagian tanaman tetapi tidak termasuk Pestisi. 1(1), 45–57.

Rahmawati, I., & Soenjono, S. J. (2014). Tingkat Keracunan Pestisida Organofosfat Pada Petani Penyemprot Sayur Di Desa Liberia Timur Kabupaten Bolaang Mongondow Timur Tahun 2013. Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan, 3(2), 376–380.

Saragih, M. (2019). Faktor Yang Berhubungan Dengan Kadar CholinesteraseDalam Darah Pada Pekerja Bagian PenyemprotanPT. Anglo Eastern PlantationsTahun 2019.

Tika, & Cahyati, W. H. (2019). Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat Higeia. 3(4), 625–634.

Tutu, C. G., Manampiring, A. E., Umboh, A., Ilmu, P., Masyarakat, K., Universitas, P., & Ratulangi, S. (n.d.). Journal of. 1, 40–53.

Utami, T. P., Lestari, M., Novrikasari, N., Purba, I. G., Sitorus, R. J., Nandini, R. F., & Fujianti, P. (2021). Penurunan Kadar Enzim Kolinesterase Tenaga Sprayer di Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit. Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan Indonesia, 20(1), 27–33. https://doi.org/10.14710/jkli.20.1.27-33

Wicaksono, A. B., Widiyanto, T., & Subagiyo, A. (2018). Faktor Internal Yang Berhubungan Dengan Kadar Enzim Cholinesterase Pada Darah Petani Kentang Di Gapoktan Al-Farruq Desa Patak Banteng Kecamatan Kejajar Kabupaten Wonosobo Tahun 2016. Buletin Keslingmas, 36(3), 194–202. https://doi.org/10.31983/keslingmas.v36i3.2985

Yuantari, M. G. C. (2020). Analisis Faktor Risiko Kejadian Keracunan Pestisida Anorganik Pada Enzim Cholinesterase Dalam Darah Petani. Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat, 19(2), 496–508.

Yushananta,  dkk. (2020). Hortikultura Di Kabupaten Lampung Barat. Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan Ruwa Jurai, 14(6), 1–8.