Analyzing the Multifunctional Aspects of Dithiocarbamates in Modern Industries

Highlights:

• A brief on dithiocarbamate compounds
• Key applicability of these versatile compounds
• Australia’s innovative pesticide monitoring system

Dithiocarbamate compounds are a diverse group of chemicals widely used in various industries, from agriculture to pharmaceuticals. Known for their versatile properties, dithiocarbamates have found applications in fungicides, vulcanization accelerators in rubber manufacturing, and chelating agents. These compounds are organosulfur compounds characterized by the presence of a dithiocarbamate functional group. This group forms the foundation for a wide range of derivatives with unique chemical and physical properties.  The structure features a central carbon atom that is double-bonded to a sulfur atom and single-bonded to another sulfur atom. This second sulfur atom is bonded to a nitrogen atom, which is attached to two organic groups.

Promising role of dithioarbonate across leading industries

Dithiocarbamates act as versatile compounds with a plethora of applications across various industries. In agriculture, these unique compounds are mainly used as fungicides. These compounds are effective in controlling a broad spectrum of fungal diseases in crops. Some common dithiocarbamate fungicides include mancozeb, maneb, and zineb. These fungicides work by inhibiting the respiration of fungi, thereby preventing their growth and proliferation. In large-scale crop production, the fungicides made from these compounds are effective against a variety of fungal pathogens, making them ideal for agricultural activities. In addition, they are relatively inexpensive compared to some other fungicides, providing an economical solution for farmers.

Moreover, these compounds are used as vulcanization accelerators in the rubber industry. Vulcanization is a chemical process that enhances the elasticity and strength of rubber by forming cross-links between polymer chains. Dithiocarbamates, such as zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate (ZDMC) and zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (ZDEC), are popular choices for this purpose. The accelerators made from these compounds enhance the tensile strength, elasticity, and durability of rubber products. They significantly reduce the vulcanization time and help improve manufacturing efficiency.  

Nonetheless, the compounds have also found applications in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. Some derivatives are used as chelating agents to treat metal poisoning and others are widely gaining popularity for their potential therapeutic properties, including anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Dithiocarbamate chelating agents, such as diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC), effectively bind heavy metals like copper and lead, facilitating their excretion from the body. According to a study, some dithiocarbamates also have anti-cancer properties by inhibiting the activity of certain enzymes involved in cancer cell proliferation. Some of them possess anti-inflammatory properties, potentially offering new avenues for treating inflammatory diseases such as scleroderma, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and many more. Such promising applications of these compounds are expected to create lucrative opportunities for the dithiocarbonate industry in the upcoming years.

Australia’s self-regulating pesticide monitoring system – FreshTest

In January 2023, a pilot program was carried by the agricultural department of Australia to detect pesticides used in meat, fruits, and vegetables sold domestically across the nation. This program was run by the fruit and vegetable wholesalers of the country through a self-regulatory system, known as FreshTest. Under FreshTest, growers are tested once a year as part of their food certification. During the pilot program, testing of strawberries revealed samples with up to 90 times the maximum residue limit (MRL) set for dimethoate, while one apricot and nine peach samples contained levels of the now-withdrawn pesticide fenthion that were unacceptable from an acute dietary risk perspective.

After that incident, the federal government ran a national residue survey that checks pesticides in exported meat and some fruits. The department found many more violations of the MRL than FreshTest over the same period. In the peach and apricot survey, FreshTest found one sample over the MRL for dimethoate among the eight detections of this chemical. The departmental survey found four samples over the MRL out of five detections.  The department noted significant differences in apricots: dithiocarbamates were frequently detected in the NPMS survey but not at all in the Farm-Fresh survey. Gail Woods, the general manager of Fresh Markets Australia said that FreshTest® is an independent fee-based, commercial service offered by Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) to provide chemical residue and microbial testing for industry. It only uses NATA (National Authorities Testing Australia) accredited laboratories which offer residue testing across Australia.

Wrapping up, dithiocarbamates play an important role in enhancing agricultural productivity to developing new medical therapies and improving industrial processes, addressing emerging challenges across industries. Moreover, the increasing demand for these compounds in water treatment and food packaging is expected to open new avenues for the industry in the coming years.

To gain more insights into the ditiocarbamate industry, reach out to our industry analysts today! They will also help you identify potential investment opportunities across various regions.

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