A review of extraction, analytical and advanced methods for determination of pesticides in environment and foodstuffs

Application of L-leucine-based natural deep eutectic solvent and ferroferric oxide magnetic nanoparticles modified with silica and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (Fe3O4@SiO2@ZIF-8) for extracting organophosphorus pesticides from cucumber

An amino acid-based natural deep eutectic solvent (AABNADES) consisting of L-leucine, thymol, and lactic acid developed as a media for removing interfering agents, along with a magnetic adsorbent called ferroferric oxide modified with silica and zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (Fe3O4@SiO2@ZIF-8) to determine the residue of four organophosphorus (OPs) pesticides in cucumber samples. The AABNADES was characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Magnetic adsorbents were characterized via field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and FTIR. Extraction conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) with a Box-Behnken design (BBD). The method was linear, accurate, and in the range of 10-50 μg/l. The detection and quantification limits ranged from 2.88-5.95 and 8.73-18.05 μg/l, respectively. The recovery for pesticide residues ranged from 97.1-143.2 % with a relative standard deviation of 3.97-12.24 %. The method is cost-effective, suitable for analyzing OPs in cucumber, and minimizes the use of harmful solvents.

Harnessing the power of biosensors for environmental monitoring of pesticides in water

The current strong reliance on synthetic chemicals, namely pesticides, is far from environmentally sustainable. These xenobiotics contribute significantly to global change and to the current biodiversity crisis, but have been overlooked when compared to other agents (e.g., climate change). Aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to pesticides, making monitoring programs essential to preserve ecosystem health, safeguard biodiversity, ensure water quality, and mitigate potential human health risks associated with contaminated water sources. Biosensors show great potential as time/cost-effective and disposable systems for the high-throughput detection (and quantification) of these pollutants. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of biosensors specifically developed for environmental water monitoring, covering different pesticide classes (and active ingredients), and types of biosensors (according to the bio-recognition element) and transducers, as well as the nature of sample matrices analyzed. We highlight the variety of biosensors that have been developed and successfully applied to detection of pesticides in aqueous samples, including enzymatic biosensors, immunosensors, aptasensors, and whole cell-based biosensors. While most biosensors have been designed to detect insecticides, expanding their compound target range could significantly streamline monitoring of environmental contaminants. Despite limitations related to stability, reproducibility, and interference from environmental factors, biosensors represent a promising and sustainable technology for pesticide monitoring in the aquatic environments, offering sensitivity and specificity, as well as portability and real-time results. We propose that biosensors would be most effective as an initial screening step in a tiered assessment, complementing conventional methods. KEY POINTS: • Pesticides harm aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, requiring better monitoring • Biosensors offer cost-effective solutions to detect pesticides in water samples • Biosensors complement conventional methods as a sustainable tool for initial screens.

Precision of in Vivo Pesticide Toxicology Research Can Be Promoted by Mass Spectrometry Imaging Technology

Pesticides are crucial for agricultural production, but their excessive use has become a significant pollution source, leading to increased pesticide residues in the environment and food and posing a threat to human health. In vivo pesticide toxicology research aims to protect humans with detection technology playing a key role. Spatial information plays a crucial role in in vivo pesticide toxicity research. However, current technologies cannot simultaneously analyze the content and spatial information on pesticides in vivo. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technology can address this limitation by simultaneously analyzing the content and spatial distribution of chemicals in vivo with high sensitivity and efficiency, aiding in the discovery of toxic biomarkers and mechanisms. Nevertheless, the limited application of MSI in vivo pesticide toxicology research hinders the accuracy of such research. Therefore, MSI should be promoted to enhance the accuracy of in vivo pesticide toxicology research.

A critical review of pesticides in aquatic environment: Current trends, environmental impacts, and advances in analytical extraction techniques

Pesticides are applied in agricultural fields to manage pests and diseases that threaten crop health and productivity. However, their presence in natural water systems is a significant concern due to their persistent composition and complex molecular structures. Additionally, their toxic and recalcitrant nature poses potential risks, leading to chronic health effects in humans. Typically detected in trace concentrations, pesticides present analytical challenges owing to their intricate chemical structures and diverse physical properties. Recent research highlights notable advancements in conventional pesticide extraction methods, aiming to develop eco-friendly and cost-effective techniques with high enrichment and recovery rates. This review begins by exploring the latest trends and ongoing research related to the occurrence and extraction of pesticides from various aquatic environments. The study then discusses the innovative extraction techniques currently employed for pesticide removal. Among liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) techniques, methods such as ionic liquid-based extraction (IL-LPME), deep eutectic solvent-based extraction (DES-LPME), air-assisted extraction, solidification of a floating organic drop (SFO), and ultrasound-assisted LPME are gaining attention due to their ease of handling, operational simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. In the, solid-phase extraction (SPE) field, researchers have increasingly utilized approaches like magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE), green sorbents, metal-organic framework (MOF) based extraction, cartridge-based SPE, and carbon nanotube-based SPE as the most widely adopted methods. These methods are preferred for their benefits, including efficient separation, rapid analysis, and environmentally sustainable practices. The latter sections of this review present a detailed comparative analysis of these extraction methods, evaluating critical parameters such as operational time, cost, chemical and energy consumption, and analytical accuracy.

Using AI to prevent the insect apocalypse: toward new environmental risk assessment procedures

Insect populations are declining globally, with multiple potential drivers identified. However, experimental data are needed to understand their relative contributions. We highlight the sublethal effects of pesticides at field-relevant concentrations, often overlooked in standard environmental risk assessments (ERA), as significant contributors to these declines. Behavior, as an easily monitored high-level phenotype, reflects alterations at various phenotypic levels. We propose incorporating behavioral assays with AI-based analytical methods into ERA protocols to better assess the safety of molecules intended for large-scale field use. This approach aims to safeguard food supplies and protect vital ecosystems in the future.

Metal-organic framework-based SERS probes with enrichment capability for trace detection: applications in biomarkers and pollutants

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has emerged as a powerful tool for trace substances detection due to its exceptional sensitivity, high anti-interference capability, and ease of operation, enabling detection at the single-molecule level. This makes SERS particularly promising for applications such as environmental monitoring, biomedical diagnostics, and food safety. Despite these advantages, SERS faces limitations due to the difficulty of enriching trace substances and the small Raman scattering cross sections of certain molecules. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), characterized by their high surface areas and porosity, tunable structures, and diverse functionalities, offer a promising solution to these challenges. By integrating MOFs with SERS technology, we explore how MOF-based SERS probes can enhance the sensitivity, selectivity, and efficiency of trace substance detection through mechanisms such as analyte enrichment, selective molecular capture, and electromagnetic field manipulation. In this paper, a comprehensive review of the structure and synthesis of MOF-SERS composites is presented, with an emphasis on their application in the detection of trace substances. The paper also discusses key challenges in the design and optimization of MOF-based SERS probes, particularly in terms of stability, reproducibility, and integration with existing detection platforms, aiming to broaden their practical applications and improve their detection efficiency.

Evaluation and Validation of Colloidal Gold Immunochromatographic Qualitative Testing Products for the Detection of Emamectin Benzoate, Isocarbophos, and Fipronil in Cowpea Samples

Pesticide residues still pose a risk to human health. With the rapid development of rapid testing technology, the levels of different types of pesticide residues in agricultural products can be identified in a shorter period; thus, the safety of food can be guaranteed. However, the effectiveness of commercially available testing products has yet to be evaluated. In this study, colloidal gold immunochromatographic qualitative testing products manufactured by 34 companies were tested for their assay performance on Emamectin Benzoate, Isocarbophos, and fipronil with standardized cowpea samples. The results indicated that most of the evaluated products were identified as having 'passed'. Most pesticide residue rapid test immunoassay products can be considered ideal means for testing certain pesticide residues. However, further evaluation of pesticide residue rapid test immunoassay products is needed, as detection technologies are still developing.

A review of emerging techniques for pyrethroid residue detection in agricultural commodities

Pyrethroid pesticides are essential for modern agriculture, helping to control pests and protect crops. However, due to growing concerns about their potential impact on human health and the environment, reliable detection methods are essential to ensure food safety. In this literature review, we explore the techniques used over the past decade to detect pyrethroid residues in agricultural products. Until now, various methods have been developed for detecting pyrethroid pesticides, ranging from conventional analytical approaches to innovative approaches. The conventional analytical approaches include gas, liquid, and supercritical fluid chromatography, micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Whereas innovative approaches refer to various optical-based and electrochemical-based sensors. For each method, we evaluate its strengths, limitations, and practical applications. Recent innovations are highlighted, focusing on sensitivity, selectivity, and practical applicability. By summarizing the current state of research, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners, providing insights into the evolving technology and strategy for detecting pyrethroid residue.

A multifunctional sensor for detecting tetracycline, 4-nitrophenol, and pesticides

In recent years, due to the abuse of antibiotics, nitro explosives and pesticides, which have caused great harm to the environment and human health, social concerns have prompted researchers to develop more sensitive detection platforms for these pollutants. In this paper, a novel two-dimensional Zn (II) coordination polymer, [Zn(L)0.5(1,2-bimb)]·DMF (1), [H4L=[1,1':4',1''-terphenyl]-2, 2'',4, 4'' -tetracarboxylic acid, 1,2-bimb = 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene] was synthesized using a hydro-solvothermal method. Among commonly used organic solvents, 1 exhibits significant stability. Fast and efficient fluorescence response can be achieved for tetracycline (TET), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), fluazinam (FLU), and abamectin benzoate (AMB) with low detection limits. A binary intelligent logic gate device with FLU and AMB as chemical input signals is successfully constructed, which provides a new idea for biochemical detection. In addition, a portable visual test paper has been prepared, which has high sensitivity, good selectivity, and simple operation. It can be used for rapid detection of pollutants in daily life and has broad application prospects. Finally, a detailed discussion was conducted on the fluorescence sensing mechanism of 1 for detecting TET, 4-NP, AMB and FLU.

Studying Structural Details in Complex Samples. I. Combining two Chromatographic Separation Methods with Ultrahigh Resolution Mass Spectrometry

The analysis of complex mixtures poses a challenge due to the high number of compounds present in a mixture, which often exceed the capabilities of analytical methods and instruments. Even more challenging is understanding the structural details of compounds within a complex sample. Most analytical methods provide just bulk information on complex samples, and individual structural details cannot be observed. High-resolution mass spectrometry, the best method to analyze complex samples, suffers from inherent problems for structural studies in complex systems because collision-induced fragmentation (CID) measurements cannot provide data from individual compounds alone. The combination of different steps of chromatographic separation, here the combination of size exclusion chromatography with argentation chromatography, provides sufficient reduction in complexity to implement a method that allows gaining structural details of individual compounds within a complex mixture. The combination of offline size exclusion chromatography followed by online argentation chromatography effectively creates fractions based on the respective properties of the compounds in the mixture (size and number of π-bonds and heteroatoms) and reduces matrix effects to a great extent. Mass spectrometry with ultrahigh resolution provides basic chemical information for each detected compound and also provides the opportunity to gain structural information from MS/MS experiments. The results indicate effectively separated sample fractions yielded by the chromatographic steps with tremendously decreased total numbers of compounds. Especially, argentation chromatography proved to be a valuable separation tool when it comes to heteroatom-containing constituents. In the end, the fragmentation experiments indicated high-quality data due to the clean ion isolation enabled by prior separation. The structural elucidations provided deep insights into the carbon space of crude oil.

Organophosphate pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in Nigeria: prevalence, environmental impact, and human health implications

Pesticides have become indispensable in modern agriculture, aiding in crop protection, and ensuring food security. However, their extensive use has raised concerns about environmental contamination and human health risks. This manuscript reviews the prevalence of organophosphate pesticide (OPP) use in Nigerian agriculture and explores methods for detecting pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. Despite the critical role of pesticides in safeguarding crop yields, the lack of regulatory enforcement and monitoring in Nigeria poses significant challenges. The review underscores the importance of understanding the health implications of pesticide residues in food. While acute and sub-chronic health effects of OPP exposure have been studied, there remains a need for a focused review of the long-term impacts, particularly in the context of limited regulatory oversight. Additionally, the manuscript highlights gaps in knowledge regarding the effects of pesticides on biodiversity, ecosystems, and vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Recommendations include longitudinal studies to assess cumulative and delayed health consequences, systematic reporting of poisoning incidents, and routine analysis of food products to ensure safety. By addressing these gaps, a more comprehensive understanding of the consequences of OPP usage in Nigeria can be achieved, facilitating the development of effective risk management strategies to protect both the environment and public health.

Panoramic view of artificial fruit ripening agents sensing technologies and the exigency of developing smart, rapid, and portable detection devices: A review

Recently, the availability of point-of-care sensor systems has led to the rapid development of smart and portable devices for the detection of hazardous analytes. The rapid flow of artificially ripened fruits into the market is associated with an elevated risk to human life, agriculture, and the ecosystem due to the use of artificial fruit ripening agents (AFRAs). Accordingly, there is a need for the development of "Point-of-care Sensors" to detect AFRAs due to several advantages, such as simple operation, promising detection mechanism, higher selectivity and sensitivity, compact, and portable. Traditional detection approaches are time-consuming and inappropriate for on-the-spot analyses. Presented comprehensive review aimed to reveal how such technology has systematically evolved over time (through conventional, advanced, and portable smart techniques) detection detect AFRA, till date. Moreover, focuses and highlights a framework of initiatives undertaken for technological advancements in the development of smart the portable detection techniques (kits) for the onsite detection of AFRAs in fruits with in-depth discussion over sensing mechanism and analytical performance of the sensing technology. Notably, colorimetric detection methods have the greatest potential for real-time monitoring of AFRA and its residues because they are easy to assemble, have a high level of selectivity and sensitivity, and can be read by the human eye independently. This study sought to differentiate between traditional credible strategies by presenting new prospects, perceptions, and challenges related to portable devices. This review provides systematic framework of advances in portable field recognition strategies for the on-spot AFRA detection in fruits and critical information for development of new paper-based portable sensors for fruit diagnostic sectors.

Regenerated SERS substrate based on Ag/AuNPs-TiO2-oxidized carbon cloth for detection of imidacloprid

Imidacloprid (IMI) are widely used in modern tea industry for pest control, but IMI residues pose a great threat to human health. Herein, we propose a regeneration metal-semiconductor SERS substrate for IMI detection. We fabricated the SERS sensor through the in-situ growth of a nano-heterostructure incorporating a semiconductor (TiO2) and plasmonic metals (Au, Ag) on oxidized carbon cloth (OCC). Leveraging the high-density hot spots, the formed Ag/AuNPs-TiO2-OCC substrate exhibits higher enhancement factors (1.92 × 108) and uniformity (RSD = 7.68%). As for the detection of IMI on the substrate, the limit of detection was lowered to 4.1 × 10-6 μg/mL. With a hydrophobic structure, the Ag/AuNPs-TiO2-OCC possessed excellent self-cleaning performance addressing the limitation of single-use associated with traditional SERS substrates, as well as the degradation capability of the substrate under ultraviolet (UV) light. Accordingly, Ag/AuNPs-TiO2-OCC showcases outstanding SERS sensing and regenerating properties, making it poised for extensive application in the field of food safety assurance.

Evaluating the effectiveness of different household washing techniques for removal of insecticides from spinach and chickpea leaves by micellar liquid chromatography

In the past few decades, the employment of green analytical approaches in chromatographic method development has attracted the analytical separation community. The greenness of the developed method depends upon the toxicity of solvents and the amount of generated post-analysis waste generated. In this concern, micellar liquid chromatography (MLC) is a simple and rapid technique that generates very low toxic waste compared to traditional chromatographic pesticide detection methods. Here, MLC method has been validated and applied for the determination of monocrotofos (MCF), imidacloprid (ICP), dimethoate (DM) and profenofos (PFF) in spinach and chickpea leaves. The optimized mobile phase was 0.065 M SDS-2 % 1-propanol, 0.01 M NaH2PO4 buffered to pH 7. A C18 column was used for separation with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The developed method has been validated following the guidelines of SANTE/11,312/2021 and ICH guidelines for; limit of quantification (0.05-0.20 mg/kg), linearity (r2> 0.997-0.999), precision (<6.3 %), accuracy (96.3 %-99.8 %) and robustness (<6) in real samples. ICP and MCF, apart from DM and PFF, were detected in the present work. After detecting insecticides in spinach and chickpea leaves both were washed with different household chemicals i.e. normal, lukewarm, common salt, lemon juice water and commercial ozonizer. Based on five washing techniques with insecticide concentration time intervals reduction rates were calculated for each washing treatment. The results show that lemon juice, common salt water, and ozonizer can be used as washing techniques for the reduction of superficial and systematic residues of ICP and MCF. Common salt and lemon juice water were better for washing over vinegar and potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as they enhance the colour of the green leafy vegetables and are available in every Indian kitchen. They can be easily used by lower socioeconomic classes who cannot afford KMnO4 and vinegar.

Sample Preparation Methods for Metal Containing Pesticides in Food and Environmental Samples

Metal-containing pesticides are used in many areas for purposes such as harvest efficiency and keeping pests away from the vegetable environment. Metal-containing pesticides are in the form of dithiocarbamate complexes and are named differently according to the type of metal they contain and are used for different purposes. Since the presence of these pesticides even at residue level threatens human and environmental health, their determination at trace level is important. In this review, studies on the determination of metal-containing dithiocarbamate pesticides in different matrices are discussed. This review on the analysis of dithiocarbamate pesticides with different techniques will shed light on the studies to be carried out for the determination of these pesticides one by one in different matrices.

Determination of pesticide residues in urine by chromatography-mass spectrometry: methods and applications

Introduction

Pollution has emerged as a significant threat to humanity, necessitating a thorough evaluation of its impacts. As a result, various methods for human biomonitoring have been proposed as vital tools for assessing, managing, and mitigating exposure risks. Among these methods, urine stands out as the most commonly analyzed biological sample and the primary matrix for biomonitoring studies.

Objectives

This review concentrates on exploring the literature concerning residual pesticide determination in urine, utilizing liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and its practical applications.

Method

The examination focused on methods developed since 2010. Additionally, applications reported between 2015 and 2022 were thoroughly reviewed, utilizing Web of Science as a primary resource.

Synthesis

Recent advancements in chromatography-mass spectrometry technology have significantly enhanced the development of multi-residue methods. These determinations are now capable of simultaneously detecting numerous pesticide residues from various chemical and use classes. Furthermore, these methods encompass analytes from a variety of environmental contaminants, offering a comprehensive approach to biomonitoring. These methodologies have been employed across diverse perspectives, including toxicological studies, assessing pesticide exposure in the general population, occupational exposure among farmers, pest control workers, horticulturists, and florists, as well as investigating consequences during pregnancy and childhood, neurodevelopmental impacts, and reproductive disorders.

Future directions

Such strategies were essential in examining the health risks associated with exposure to complex mixtures, including pesticides and other relevant compounds, thereby painting a broader and more accurate picture of human exposure. Moreover, the implementation of integrated strategies, involving international research initiatives and biomonitoring programs, is crucial to optimize resource utilization, enhancing efficiency in health risk assessment.

A computational and experimental study of cis-trans isomeric pesticides based on collision-induced dissociation of high-resolution mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Pesticide isomers are widely available in agricultural production and may vary widely in biological activity, potency, and toxicity. Chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of pesticide isomers is challenging due to structural similarities.

METHODS

Based on liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry, identification of cis-trans isomeric pesticides was achieved through retention time, characteristic fragment ions, and relative abundance ratio. Furthermore, theoretical and basic research has been conducted on the differences in characteristic fragment ions and their relative abundance ratios of cis-trans isomers. On the one hand, the cleavage pathways of six cis-trans isomers were elucidated through collision-induced dissociation to explain different fragment ions of the isomers. On the other hand, for those with the same fragment ions but different abundance ratios, energy-resolved mass spectrometry combined with computational chemical density functional theory in terms of kinetics, thermodynamics, and bond lengths was employed to explain the reasons for the differences in characteristic fragment ions and their abundance ratios.

RESULTS

A high-resolution mass spectrometry method was developed for the separation and analysis of cis-trans isomers of pesticides in traditional Chinese medicine Radix Codonopsis, and six pesticide isomers were distinguished by retention time, product ions, and relative abundance ratios. The limits of quantification of the six pesticides were up to 10 μg/kg, and the linear ranges of them were 10-200 μg/kg, with coefficients of determination (R2) > 0.99, which demonstrated the good linearity of the six pesticides. The recoveries of the pesticides at spiked concentrations of 10, 20, and 100 μg/kg reached 70-120% with relative standard deviations ≤20%.

CONCLUSIONS

It was demonstrated that the application of the method was well suited for accurate qualitative and quantitative analysis for isomers with different structures, which could avoid false-negative results caused by ignoring other isomers effectively.

Carbon nanotubes: a novel innovation as food supplements and biosensing for food safety

Recently, nanotechnology has emerged as an extensively growing field. Several important fabricated products including Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of great importance and hold significance in several industrial sectors, mainly food industry. Recent developments have come up with methodologies for the prevention of health complications like lack of adequate nutrition in our diet. This review delves deeper into the details of the food supplementation techniques and how CNTs function in this regard. This review includes the challenges in using CNTs for food applications and their future prospects in the industry. Food shortage has become a global issue and limiting food resources put an additional burden on the farmers for growing crops. Apart from quantity, quality should also be taken into consideration and new ways should be developed for increasing nutritional value of food items. Food supplementation has several complications due to the biologically active compounds and reaction in the in vivo environment, CNTs can play a crucial role in countering this problem through the supplementation of food by various processes including; nanoencapsulation and nanobiofortification thus stimulating crop growth and seed germination rates. CNTs also hold a key position in biosensing and diagnostic application for either the quality control of the food supplements or the detection of contagions like toxins, chemicals, dyes, pesticides, pathogens, additives, and preservatives. Detection such pathogens can help in attaining global food security goal and better production and provision of food resources. The data used in the current review was collected up to date as of March 31, 2024 and contains the best of our knowledge. Data collection was performed from various reliable and authentic literatures comprising PubMed database, Springer Link, Scopus, Wiley Online, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Research related to commercially available CNTs has been added for the readers seeking additional information on the use of CNTs in various economic sectors.

SERS detection of triazole pesticide residues on vegetables and fruits using Au decahedral nanoparticles

Triazole pesticides are widely used in modern agricultural practices to improve agricultural production quality. Simultaneously, unreasonable and standardized use of triazole pesticides could induce a series of potential diseases of humans. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy has attracted enormous research attention because of its label-free and fingerprint detection capability to noninvasively trace extremely low concentration analytes. To the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of systematic comparison regarding the Raman spectral information of triazole pesticides in existing literatures. In this work, we successfully captured the characteristic peaks of six different triazole pesticides individually and simultaneously using Au decahedral nanoparticles. The proposed method exhibited remarkable detection sensitivity, a wide dynamic range, and the capability for in-situ detection of multiple pesticide residues on bean, apple, and vegetable surfaces with satisfactory recovery rates. Therefore, our proposed SERS platform have great applications in agricultural products safety, environmental monitoring and other fields.

Facile electrochemiluminescence sensing platform based on Gd2O3:Eu3+ nanocrystals for organophosphorus pesticides detection in vegetable samples

In this work, europium ion-doped gadolinium trioxide nanocrystals (Gd2O3:Eu3+ NCs) were successfully synthesized and applied to construct an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor. Compared with pure Gd2O3, the doping of Eu3+ ions caused enhanced ECL intensity and more stable signals. Based on the excellent ECL performance of Gd2O3:Eu3+ NCs, we constructed a new ECL sensing platform for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). The ECL sensor showed a good linear relationship in the concentration range of 1 nM to 1 pM, with a limit of detection of 0.12 pM (S/N = 3) for dichlorvos (DDVP). In addition, the constructed ECL sensor was applied for the detection of DDVP in vegetable samples, and good recoveries were obtained. The results indicated that the ECL sensor exhibited fantastic performance properties and had good application prospects in OPs detection.

Insight into the uptake, translocation, metabolism, dissipation and risk assessment of tolfenpyrad in romaine and edible amaranth grown in hydroponic conditions

Tolfenpyrad is an alternative to highly water-soluble and ecotoxic insecticides that is widely used in China. It is absorbed and accumulates in vegetables, leading to potential public-health hazards. A systematic study of the fate of tolfenpyrad is necessary for proper application and food safety. Herein, we report on the uptake, translocation, metabolism, dissipation, and dietary risks of tolfenpyrad in hydroponic romaine and amaranth plants. Roots easily absorbed and accumulated tolfenpyrad, although transport was moderate in both vegetables. Basipetal translocation of tolfenpyrad occurred in romaine but not in edible amaranth, owing to differences in specific transport behaviour in each case. Six metabolites and three pathways were proposed. Tolfenpyrad affected antioxidant enzyme activities in different parts of the two vegetables. Tolfenpyrad dissipation proceeded swiftly, entailing an acceptable risk to humans. Our results provide information on the distribution and transport of tolfenpyrad, as well as on the safety in using it on vegetables.

Adsorption-desorption behavior of florpyrauxifen-benzyl on three microplastics in aqueous environment as well as its mechanism and various influencing factors

Microplastics (MPs) and pesticides are two categories contaminants with proposed negative impacts to aqueous ecosystems, and adsorption of pesticides on MPs may result in their long-range transport and compound combination effects. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl, a novel pyridine-2-carboxylate auxin herbicide has been widely used to control weeds in paddy field, but the insights of which are extremely limited. Therefore, adsorption and desorption behaviors of florpyrauxifen-benzyl on polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE) and disposable face masks (DFMs) in five water environment were investigated. The impacts of various environmental factors on adsorption capacity were evaluated, as well as adsorption mechanisms. The results revealed significant variations in adsorption capacity of florpyrauxifen-benzyl on three MPs, with approximately order of DFMs > PE > PVC. The discrepancy can be attributed to differences in structural and physicochemical properties, as evidenced by various characterization analysis. The kinetics and isotherm of florpyrauxifen-benzyl on three MPs were suitable for different models, wherein physical force predominantly governed adsorption process. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that both high and low temperatures weakened PE and DFMs adsorption, whereas temperature exhibited negligible impact on PVC adsorption. The adsorption capacity was significantly influenced by most environmental factors, particularly pH, cations and coexisting herbicide. This study provides valuable insights into the fate of florpyrauxifen-benzyl in presence of MPs, suggesting that PVC, PE and DFMs can serve as carriers of florpyrauxifen-benzyl in aquatic environment.

Recent Progress in Photoelectrochemical Sensing of Pesticides in Food and Environmental Samples: Photoactive Materials and Signaling Mechanisms

Pesticides have become an integral part of modern agricultural practices, but their widespread use poses a significant threat to human health. As such, there is a pressing need to develop effective methods for detecting pesticides in food and environmental samples. Traditional chromatography methods and common rapid detection methods cannot satisfy accuracy, portability, long storage time, and solution stability at the same time. In recent years, photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing technology has gained attention as a promising approach for detecting various pesticides due to its salient advantages, including high sensitivity, low cost, simple operation, fast response, and easy miniaturization, thus becoming a competitive candidate for real-time and on-site monitoring of pesticide levels. This review provides an overview of the recent advancements in PEC methods for pesticide detection and their applications in ensuring food and environmental safety, with a focus on the categories of photoactive materials, from single semiconductor to semiconductor-semiconductor heterojunction, and signaling mechanisms of PEC sensing platforms, including oxidation of pesticides, steric hindrance, generation/decrease in sacrificial agents, and introduction/release of photoactive materials. Additionally, this review will offer insights into future prospects and confrontations, thereby contributing novel perspectives to this evolving domain.

New modes of converting chemical information with colloidal photonic crystal sensing units

Photonic crystal is a kind of device which can convert a chemical signal into an optical signal and is commonly used in sensing and detection. The maximum reflection wavelength representing the photonic band gap has been the most common converting mode in analytical usage which however discard too much valuable chemical information. In this work, we established two additional modes for mining chemical information more deeply in time and space as the sensing information to distinguish analytes. They are respectively based on dynamic analysis of the spectrum shift and the distinction of the RGB partition block value information of optical image. The molecular imprinting sensing mechanism worked well on three organophosphorus compounds to the detection limit of 10-4 M. The principle component analysis of above data did present a good discrimination of organophosphorus analytes from interfering counter anions to a low detection limit of 10-6 M. To make the detection more convenient and to achieve real-time on-site detection, we have designed the portable photonic crystal signal acquisition kit. Together with the mobile terminal, the kit connects the optical image collected on site, the algorithm working on the cloud and the input/output interactive interface of users in detection. The methods were constructed on an example made of a three-dimensional molecularly imprinted photonic crystal hydrogels sensing unit targeting on organo-phosphides.

Use of Transcriptomics to Reveal the Joint Immunotoxicity Mechanism Initiated by Difenoconazole and Chlorothalonil in the Human Jurkat T-Cell Line

It is very important to evaluate the immunotoxicity and molecular mechanisms of pesticides. In this study, difenoconazole and chlorothalonil were evaluated for immunotoxicity by using the human Jurkat T-cell line, and the EC50 were 24.66 and 1.17 mg/L, respectively. The joint exposure of difenoconazole and chlorothalonil showed a synergistic effect at low concentrations (lower than 10.58 mg/L) but an antagonistic effect at high concentrations (higher than 10.58 mg/L). With joint exposure at a concentration of EC10, the proportion of late apoptotic cells was 2.26- and 2.91-fold higher than that with exposure to difenoconazole or chlorothalonil alone, respectively. A transcriptomics analysis indicated that the DEGs for single exposure are associated with immunodeficiency disease. Single exposure to chlorothalonil was mainly involved in cation transportation, extracellular matrix organization, and leukocyte cell adhesion. Single exposure to difenoconazole was mainly involved in nervous system development, muscle contraction, and immune system processes. However, when the joint exposure dose was EC10, the DEGs were mainly involved in the formation of cell structures, but the DEGs were mainly involved in cellular processes and metabolism when the joint exposure dose was EC25. The results indicated that the immunotoxicological mechanisms underlying joint exposure to difenoconazole and chlorothalonil are different under low and high doses.

Smartphone-integrated colorimetric and microfluidic paper-based analytical devices for the trace-level detection of permethrin

Permethrin is a pyrethroid pesticide and insect repellent that prevents mosquito-borne infections like dengue and malaria in tropical areas. This work describes a new colorimetric sensor based on metronidazole-stabilized silver nanoparticles (MTZ-AgNPs) for the first rapid, sensitive, and selective permethrin detection. The MTZ-AgNPs-based colorimetric sensor has a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0104 µM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.0348 µM, respectively. The sensor is further integrated with smartphone and microfluidic fabrication of paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) for real-time and on-site detection of permethrin. Under optimal settings, no potential environmental contaminants interfere with permethrin detection, confirming its high selectivity. Finally, the practical applicability of sensors is confirmed in real tomato and apple extract samples. The US environmental protection agency's recommended UPLC method validated the detection efficiency of the proposed colorimetric sensor. The % recoveries from UPLC and MTZ-AgNPs suggest that the present sensor can quantitatively analyze permethrin in real samples.

Dual Chromatic Laser-Printed Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Device (μPAD) for the Detection of Atrazine in Water

Water pollution caused by pesticides is a significant threat to the environment and human health. Silver and gold nanoparticle (AgNPs, AuNPs)-based biosensors are affordable tools, ideal for environmental monitoring. Microfluidic paper-based devices (μPADs) are a promising approach for on-site testing, but few studies have explored the use of laser printing (LP) for μPAD-based biosensors. This study investigates the feasibility of using laser printing to fabricate paper-based biosensors for pesticide detection in water samples. The μPAD was designed and optimized by using different filter paper porosities, patterns, and channel thicknesses. The developed LP-μPAD was used to sense the pesticide atrazine in water through colorimetric assessments using a smartphone-assisted image analysis. The analytical assessment showed a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.5 and 10.9 μM for AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively. The sensor had high repeatability and reproducibility. The LP-μPAD also demonstrated good recovery and functionality in simulated contaminated water. Furthermore, the detection of pesticides was found to be specific under the influence of interferents, such as NaCl and pH levels. By combining laser printing and nanoparticles, the proposed sensor could contribute to developing effective and low-cost solutions for monitoring water quality that are widely accessible.

Airborne Pesticides-Deep Diving into Sampling and Analysis

The escalating utilization of pesticides has led to pronounced environmental contamination, posing a significant threat to agroecosystems. The extensive and persistent global application of these chemicals has been linked to a spectrum of acute and chronic human health concerns. This review paper focuses on the concentrations of airborne pesticides in both indoor and outdoor environments. The collection of diverse pesticide compounds from the atmosphere is examined, with a particular emphasis on active and passive air sampling techniques. Furthermore, a critical evaluation is conducted on the methodologies employed for the extraction and subsequent quantification of airborne pesticides. This analysis takes into consideration the complexities involved in ensuring accurate measurements, highlighting the advancements and limitations of current practices. By synthesizing these aspects, this review aims to foster a more comprehensive and informed comprehension of the intricate dynamics related to the presence and measurement of airborne pesticides. This, in turn, is poised to significantly contribute to the refinement of environmental monitoring strategies and the augmentation of precise risk assessments.

A Weak Electricigen-Based Bioelectrochemical Sensor for Real-Time Monitoring of Chemical Pollutants in Water

Electroactive microorganisms are now understood to be abundant across nature, though many are categorized as "weak electricigens" not suitable for reasonable power generation. We report the use of weak electricigens from the natural environment for rapid, real-time water quality monitoring. Using a variety of pesticides as model chemical pollutants, the bioelectrochemical sensor was responsive within minutes at all concentrations tested (0.05-2 ppm) and could be repreatedly used long-term. Due to the prevalence of electroactive microorganisms in the natural environment, such sensors could work in tandem with conventional monitoring methods and may be useful for detecting emerging contaminants.

Development and application of a mini-QuEChERS method for the determination of pesticide residues in anuran adipose tissues

The expansion of monocultures to regions close to conservation areas has put biodiversity at risk, mainly due to the intense use of pesticides. Anurans are highly susceptible to pesticides and may be a biological marker in the contamination of an area. However, methods for determining pesticides in anurans are incipient. In this work, a miniaturized QuEChERS method was developed for the extraction of atrazine, chlorpyrifos, α- and β-endosulfan, α-, β-, θ- and ζ-cypermethrin in anuran adipose tissues. The method was optimized for the tissue sample size scale according to sample mass availability. Extracting solvent and adsorbents for the clean-up step was evaluated, achieving recoveries next to 100% with acetonitrile and without a clean-up step. The mini-QuEChERS method, using 500 mg of adipose tissue, 50 mg of NaCl and 200 mg of MgSO4, 100 μL of ultrapure water, and 1.50 mL of acetonitrile with no purification step, followed by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis and photodiode array detection was validated following the European Community guidelines. The methodology showed a moderate matrix effect for some pesticides, which was corrected using the matrix-matched calibration. The limits of quantification for the pesticide residues in adipose tissues ranged from 10 to 75 μg kg-1. Pesticide recoveries ranged from 74% to 115%, and repeatability and within-lab reproducibility showed relative standard deviations < 11%. The mini-QuEChERS method was applied to extract pesticide residues from the adipose tissues of two species of anurans: Leptodactylus macrosternum and Scinax x-signatus. 25% of samples were positive, detecting endosulfan and chlorpyriphos, confirmed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The mini-QuEChERS was a simple, economical, and eco-friendly method for extracting pesticide residues in anuran adipose tissue samples.

Evaluation of field resistance in field-collected mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say through quantification of ULV permethrin/PBO formulation in field bioassays

BACKGROUND

Pyrethroids are among the most applied adulticides worldwide to control mosquito vectors for prevention of arboviral diseases transmission. However, pesticide resistance development in a mosquito population could lead to decreased control efficacy. While most studies investigate the resistant genotype (i.e. kdr, CYP450, etc.) as explanatory variables, few field efficacy studies have measured pesticide quantities deposited at different distances from the sprayer in association with observed mosquito mortality. The current study determined field delivered amounts of an applied ULV permethrin/PBO formulation (31% permethrin + 66% piperonyl butoxide) by GC/MS and estimated practical resistance ratios using caged mosquito females.

RESULTS

For field samples, the extraction method recovered 78 ± 3.92-108 ± 8.97% of the permethrin/PBO formulation when utilizing the peaks of PBO from GC/MS to estimate the concentrations of adulticide deposited near the mosquito cages. The field bioassay showed that the spatial distribution of permethrin/PBO formulation was heterogeneous among three pseudo-replicates within the same distance. Within the quantifiable permethrin/PBO range of 15.7-51.4 ng/cm2 , field-collected mosquito mortalities started at 64% and linearly increased reaching 100% only in two areas, while all Sebring susceptible mosquitoes died. The field LC95 resistance ratio (RR) of F0 Cx. quinquefasciatus ranged from 2.65-3.51, falling within the 95% CI of RR95 estimated by laboratory vial assays. Tests with and without PBO indicated P450's enzymes contributed to field resistance.

CONCLUSION

Results showed the suitability of the collection and quantification method to estimate the field resistance ratio at the applied pesticide rate. Pesticide quantification would also allow the association of the known frequencies of resistance mechanisms (e.g. kdr, CYP450) with field mortalities to estimate the resistance level conferred by such mechanisms. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

A Highly Selective Analytical Method Based on Salt-Assisted Liquid-Liquid Extraction for Trace-Level Enrichment of Multiclass Pesticide Residues in Cow Milk for Quantitative Liquid Chromatographic Analysis

In this study, a simple, inexpensive, selective, and fast salting-out assisted liquid-liquid extraction (SALLE) technique coupled with high-pressure liquid chromatography-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed for the extraction, preconcentration, and analysis of trace level seven multiclass pesticide residues in pasteurized and raw cow milk samples. The significant factors that affect the extent to which the target analytes are extracted, such as the type of extraction solvent and its volume, the type and concentration of salting-out salts, the pH of the solution, and the extraction time, have been investigated. Under optimum conditions, the correlation coefficient (r2) was obtained within a range of 0.9982-0.9997 for a broad linear range concentration of 2-1500 ng·mL-1. Reliable sensitivity was achieved with limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) ranging from 0.58-2.56 ng·mL-1 and 1.95-8.51 ng·mL-1, respectively. While precision with interday and intraday in terms of relative standard deviations (RSDs) was observed in the range of 1.97 - 7.88% and 4.52 - 8.04%, respectively. The results of the precision studies reveal that good repeatability and reproducibility (RSDs <9) were achieved, thus showing a low variability extraction of the developed method. Finally, the proposed and validated approach was effectively used to extract and determine pesticide residues in real milk matrices; however, the target analytes were not detected in all samples.

Introduction of a new and safe synthesis procedure for Ni-MOF-I in aqueous solution and its application for the extraction of some pesticides from different beverages

For the first time, this research introduces an analytical application of Ni-MOF-I, which was used as an adsorbent in a dispersive micro solid phase extraction procedure followed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for the extraction and preconcentration of seven pesticides from different fruit juices. Also, Ni-MOF-I was synthesized by a new and green method with many advantages over the previously published synthesis procedures. For example, effortless and green synthesis, no need for autoclaves and ovens, and elimination of organic solvent usage are the main highlights. The synthesized Ni-MOF-I was characterized by applying nitrogen adsorption/desorption, energy-dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The studied pesticides were extracted and preconcentrated by the proposed method. Then, the extracted analytes in the sedimented organic phase were injected into a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. Acceptable analytical results such as low limits of detection (0.15-0.60 μg L-1) and quantification (0.50-2.0 μg L-1), reasonable extraction recoveries (51-80%), high enrichment factors (255-400), satisfactory relative standard deviation values of 4.8-7.2% (intra-day precision, n = 6) and 5.3-7.5% (inter-day precision, n = 4), and wide linear ranges were obtained. The proposed method can be introduced as an effective analytical technique based on Ni-MOF-I for the analysis of different pesticides in fruit beverages.

Detection methods, migration patterns, and health effects of pesticide residues in tea

Due to its rich health benefits and unique cultural charm, tea drinking is increasingly popular with the public in modern society. The safety of tea is the top priority that affects the development of tea industry and the health of consumers. During the process of tea growth, pesticides are used to prevent the invasion of pests and diseases with maintaining high quality and stable yield. Because hot water brewing is the traditional way of tea consumption, water is the main carrier for pesticide residues in tea into human body accompanied by potential risks. In this review, pesticides used in tea gardens are divided into two categories according to their solubility, among which water-soluble pesticides pose a greater risk. We summarized the methods of the sample pretreatment and detection of pesticide residues and expounded the migration patterns and influencing factors of tea throughout the process of growth, processing, storage, and consumption. Moreover, the toxicity and safety of pesticide residues and diseases caused by human intake were analyzed. The risk assessment and traceability of pesticide residues in tea were carried out, and potential eco-friendly improvement strategies were proposed. The review is expected to provide a valuable reference for reducing risks of pesticide residues in tea and ensuring the safety of tea consumption.

MOF-based composites as photoluminescence sensing platforms for pesticides: Applications and mechanisms

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently garnered considerable attention among reticular compounds due to their unique physicochemical properties and applications in sensing toxic compounds. On the other hand, fluorometric sensing has been widely studied for food safety and environmental protection among the various sensing methods. Thus, designing MOF-based fluorescence sensors for specific detection of hazardous compounds, especially pesticides, are incessantly needed to keep up with the continuous demands for monitoring these environmental pollution. Herein, recent MOF-based platforms for pesticide fluorescence detection are deliberated owing to sensors' emission origins and in terms of their structural properties. The influences of different guest incorporation in MOFs on pesticide fluorescence detection are summarized, and the future developments of novel MOF composites such as polyoxometalate@MOFs (POMOF), carbon quantum dots@MOFs (CDs@MOF), and organic dye@MOF are prospected for fluorescence sensing of assorted pesticides with a focus on mechanistic insights of specific detection techniques in food safety and environmental protection.

Calf thymus ds-DNA intercalation with pendimethalin herbicide at the surface of ZIF-8/Co/rGO/C3N4/ds-DNA/SPCE; A bio-sensing approach for pendimethalin quantification confirmed by molecular docking study

Pendimethalin (PND) is a herbicide that is regarded to be possibly carcinogenic to humans and toxic to the environment. Herein, we fabricated a highly sensitive DNA biosensor based on ZIF-8/Co/rGO/C₃N₄ nanohybrid modification of a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) to monitor PND in real samples. The layer-by-layer fabrication pathway was conducted to construct ZIF-8/Co/rGO/C₃N₄/ds-DNA/SPCE biosensor. The physicochemical characterization techniques confirmed the successful synthesis of ZIF-8/Co/rGO/C₃N₄ hybrid nanocomposite, as well as the appropriate modification of the SPCE surface. The utilization of ZIF-8/Co/rGO/C₃N₄ nanohybrid as a modifier was analyzed using. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results showed that the modified SPCE exhibited significantly lowered charge transfer resistance due to the enhancement of its electrical conductivity and facilitation of the transfer of charged particles. The proposed biosensor successfully quantified PND in a wide concentration range of 0.01-35 μM, with a limit of detection (LOD) value of 8.0 nM. The PND monitoring capability of the fabricated biosensor in real samples including rice, wheat, tap, and river water samples was verified with a recovery range of 98.2-105.6%. Moreover, to predict the interaction sites of PND herbicide with DNA, the molecular docking study was performed between the PND molecule and two sequence DNA fragments and confirmed the experimental findings. This research sets the stage for developing highly sensitive DNA biosensors that will be used to monitor and quantify toxic herbicides in real samples by fusing the advantages of nanohybrid structures with crucial knowledge from a molecular docking investigation.

Dual-ratiometric aptasensor for simultaneous detection of malathion and profenofos based on hairpin tetrahedral DNA nanostructures

Due to the diversification and complexity of organophosphorus pesticide residues brings great challenges to the detection work. Therefore, we developed a dual-ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor that could detect malathion (MAL) and profenofos (PRO) simultaneously. In this study, metal ions, hairpin-tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (HP-TDN) and nanocomposites were used as signal tracers, sensing framework and signal amplification strategy respectively to develop the aptasensor. Thionine (Thi) labeled HP-TDN (HP-TDNThi) provided specific binding sites for assembling Pb2+ labeled MAL aptamer (Pb2+-APT1) and Cd2+ labeled PRO aptamer (Cd2+-APT2). When the target pesticides were present, Pb2+-APT1 and Cd2+-APT2 were dissociated from the hairpin complementary strand of HP-TDNThi, resulting in reduced oxidation currents of Pb²⁺ (I_Pb²⁺) and Cd²⁺ (I_Cd²⁺), respectively, while the oxidation currents of Thi (I_Thi) remained unchanged. Thus, I_Pb²⁺/I_Thi and I_Cd²⁺/I_Thi oxidation current ratios were used to quantify MAL and PRO, respectively. In addition, the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) encapsulated in the zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) nanocomposites (Au@ZIF-8) greatly increased the catch of HP-TDN, thereby amplifying the detection signal. The rigid three-dimensional structure of HP-TDN could reduce the steric hindrance effect on the electrode surface, which could greatly improve the recognition efficiency of the aptasensor for the pesticide. Under the optimal conditions, the detection limits of the HP-TDN aptasensor for MAL and PRO were 4.3 pg mL-1 and 13.3 pg mL-1, respectively. Our work proposed a new approach to fabricating a high-performance aptasensor for simultaneous detection of multiple organophosphorus pesticides, opening a new avenue for the development of simultaneous detection sensors in the field of food safety and environmental monitoring.

Development of 2D and 3D front face fluorescence spectroscopy for monitoring ultrasound treatment in the removal of pesticides residues from fresh lettuces at the laboratory and pilot scales

Pesticide residues in vegetables are potentially toxic components to humans and can cause serious health problems. To remove pesticide residues from fresh agricultural products and improve consumer food safety, various pesticide removal methods have been investigated over the past decades. In this study, the effectiveness of laboratory and pilot scale ultrasonic cleaning on the removal of boscalid and pyraclostrobin residues from lettuce was examined. 2D fluorescence spectroscopy, 3D fluorescence spectroscopy represented by excitation-emission matrix (EEM), and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) were used to characterize and discriminate the fluorescence signatures of these pesticides in the cleaning water to determine the effectiveness of the ultrasonic cleaning method as a function of the level of pesticide removal. The 2D fluorescence results showed that the rate of removal of boscalid by ultrasonics at the laboratory scale increased with the cleaning time. The ultrasonic treatment showed a higher cleaning efficiency compared to only soaking in distilled water for 10 min. The same trends were observed at the pilot scale. The EEM also showed differences in the concentration of pesticides removed by ultrasonication between the different parts of the lettuce, the concentration was higher in the upper part than the lower part. This study showed that ultrasonication is an effective technique for the removal of pesticide residues on lettuce, and it also showed the significant potential of fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with PARAFAC for the discrimination and characterization of pesticides.

Integration of Metallic Nanomaterials and Recognition Elements for the Specifically Monitoring of Pesticides in Electrochemical Sensing

Although all countries have been controlling the excessive use of pesticides, incidents of pesticide residues still existed. Electrochemical biosensors are extensively applied detection techniques to monitor pesticides with the help of different types of biorecognition components mainly including, antibodies, aptamers, enzymes (i.e., acetylcholinesterase, organophosphorus hydrolase, etc.), and synthetic molecularly imprinted polymers. Besides, the electrode materials mainly affected the sensitivity of electrochemical biosensors. Metallic nanomaterials with various structures and excellent electrical conductivity were desirable choice to construct electrochemical platforms to achieve the detection with high sensitivity and good specificity toward the target. This work reviewed the developed metallic materials including monometallic nanoparticles, bimetallic nanomaterials, metal atoms, metal oxides, metal molybdates, metal-organic frameworks, MXene, etc. Integration of recognition elements endowed the electrode materials with higher specificity toward the target pesticide. Besides, future challenges of metallic nanomaterials-based electrochemical biosensors for the detection of pesticides are also discussed and described.

Rapid screening of illegal additives in functional food using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging

Compounds such as Sildenafil, which bring potential health risks to consumers, have been illegally added to functional food. The public security department hopes to quickly screen for illegal additives. The quantity of seized samples is often large and their compositions are unknown; it is necessary to screen the unknown samples qualitatively and sometimes quantitatively. In this paper, a new method for rapid screening of 39 common illegal additives in six categories of functional food based on DESI-MSI technology is proposed, and the DESI-MSI library is established, which can be used for exclusive and sensitive qualitative confirmation of suspicious samples. A new carrier material that can be used for rapid qualitative detection of solid sample is discovered. The samples require simple or even no pretreatment to carry out high-resolution imaging through the imaging function of DESI-MSI. The imaging results are clear and intuitive, and can achieve fast and high-throughput qualitative identification of illegally added compounds. This method has good linearity, accuracy, precision, and little effect of matrix, so it can roughly quantify the illegal additives in functional products. Twenty-one batches of unknown samples were detected by DESI-MSI, and the positive results were confirmed by LC-MS/MS (QQQ). The results showed that the DESI-MSI method was effective and reliable. DESI-MSI with self-made database is a promising method for rapid screening of illegal additives in functional food, which can be widely used in grass-roots police stations.

Multi-Residue Screening of Pesticides in Aquatic Products Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Pesticide residues in aquatic products are of great concern due to the risk of environmental transmission and their extensive use in aquaculture. In our work, a quick screening approach was developed for the qualitative and semi-quantitative screening of 87 pesticide residues in aquatic products. The sample preparation was investigated, including extract solvent, extract methods, buffer salts, lipid removal, cleanup materials and filter membranes for aquatic products. Samples were extracted using a modified QuEChERS procedure, and two clean-up procedures were developed for UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap MS analysis based on the fat content of the aquatic products. The screening detection limits for all studied pesticides were distributed between 1 and 500 μg/kg in the three representative matrices. Seventy-one pesticides could be analyzed with a screening limit between 1 and 25 μg/kg in grass carp and crayfish, sixty-one pesticides could be screened for limits between 1 and 50 μg/kg in crab. The accuracy results showed that recoveries ranged from 50 to 120% for 60, 56 and 52 pesticides at medium-level for grass carp, crayfish and crab, respectively. At high spiking levels, 74, 65 and 59 pesticides were recovered within the range of 50-120% for the three matrices, respectively. The relative standard deviations of most compounds in different matrices were less than 20%. With this method, the local farmed aquatic products were tested for pesticide residues. In these samples, ethoxyquinoline, prometryn and phoxim were frequently detected. The majority of these confirmed compounds did not exceed 2.00 μg/kg. A grass carp with trichlorfon at 4.87 μg/kg and two carps with ethoxyquinoline at 200 µg/kg were detected, indicating the potential dietary risk.

Comparative study of three plant-derived extracts as new management strategies against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Finding innovative eco-friendly agents for pest control may be aided by investigating the plant-derived extracts' properties on economic pests. Therefore, the insecticidal, behavioral, biological and biochemical effects of Magnolia grandiflora (Magnoliaceae) leaf water and methanol extracts, Schinus terebinthifolius (Anacardiaceae) wood methanol extract, and Salix babylonica (Salicaceae) leaf methanol extract in comparison with a reference insecticide novaluron against S. littoralis were evaluated. The extracts were analyzed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The most abundant phenolic compounds were 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (7.16 mg/mL) and ferulic acid (6.34 mg/mL) in M. grandiflora leaf water extract; catechol (13.05 mg/mL), ferulic acid (11.87 mg/mL), and chlorogenic acid (10.33 mg/mL) in M. grandiflora leaf methanol extract; ferulic acid (14.81 mg/mL), caffeic acid (5.61 mg/mL), and gallic acid (5.07 mg/mL) In the S. terebinthifolius extract; cinnamic acid (11.36 mg/mL), and protocatechuic acid (10.33 mg/mL) In the methanol extract from S. babylonica extract. S. terebinthifolius extract had a highly toxic effect against second larvae after 96 h and eggs with LC50 values of 0.89 and 0.94 mg/L, respectively. Despite M. grandiflora extracts didn't show any toxicity against S. littoralis stages, they had an attractant effect on fourth- and second larvae, with feeding deterrence values of - 2.7% and - 6.7%, respectively, at 10 mg/L. S. terebinthifolius extract significantly reduced the percentage of pupation, adult emergence, hatchability, and fecundity, with values of 60.2%, 56.7%, 35.3%, and 105.4 eggs/female, respectively. Novaluron and S. terebinthifolius extract drastically inhibited the activities of α-amylase and total proteases to 1.16 and 0.52, and 1.47 and 0.65 ΔOD/mg protein/min, respectively. In the semi-field experiment, the residual toxicity of tested extracts on S. littoralis gradually decreased over time compared to novaluron. These findings indicate that extract from S. terebinthifolius is a promising insecticidal agent against S. littoralis.

Strategy of In Situ Electrochemical Regulation for Highly Enhanced Nonenzymatic Sensing of Carbaryl

Specific and sensitive sensing of most pesticide residues relies on enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase and advanced materials, which need to be loaded on the surface of working electrodes, leading to instability, uneven surface, tedious process, and high cost. Meanwhile, employing certain potential or current in electrolyte solution could also modify the surface in situ and overcome these drawbacks. However, this method is only regarded as electrochemical activation widely applied in the pretreatment of electrodes. In this paper, by means of regulating the electrochemical technique and its parameters, we prepared a proper sensing interface and derivatized the carbaryl (a carbamate pesticide) hydrolyzed form (1-naphthol) to enhance sensing by 100 times within several minutes. After regulation I by chronopotentiometry with 0.2 mA for 20 s or chronoamperometry with 2 V for 10 s, abundant oxygen-containing groups form and the ordered carbon structure is destroyed. Sweeping from -0.5 to 0.9 V through cyclic voltammetry for only one segment, following regulation II, the composition of oxygen-containing groups changes and the disordered structure is alleviated. Finally, on the constructed sensing interface, test by regulation III through differential pulse voltammetry from 0.8 to -0.4 V, resulting in derivatization of 1-naphthol during 0.8-0 V, followed by electroreduction of the derivative at around -0.17 V. Compared with the electro-oxidation peak at 0.5 V in previous reports, it is essential to improve specificity, even toward several other carbamate pesticides with similar structures. Hence, the in situ electrochemical regulation strategy has demonstrated great potential for effective sensing of electroactive molecules.

Threaded 3D microfluidic paper analytical device-based ratiometric fluorescent sensor for background-free and visual detection of organophosphorus pesticides

With the increasing concerns of food safety and environmental protection, it is desirable to develop reliable, effective, and portable sensors for detection of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). Here, a cascade reaction system integrated with threaded 3D microfluidic paper analytical device (3D μPAD) was firstly developed for background-free and visual detection of OPs in agricultural samples. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) hydrolyzed acetylcholine into thiocholine (TCh), which reduced MnO₂ nanosheets into Mn²⁺. With addition of OPs, BChE activity was irreversibly inhibited, and the generation of TCh and the reduction of MnO₂ nanosheets were prevented. Then the remaining MnO₂ nanosheets oxidized o-phenylenediamine into 2,3-diaminophenazine with yellow-emission fluorescence, which quenched the fluorescence intensity of red-emission carbon dots (RCDs) via inner-filter effect. Based on above mechanism, a ratiometric fluorescent system was established for OPs detection. Threaded 3D μPAD consisted of 4 layers, which allowed to load and/or add reagents to trigger the cascade reaction system for OPs detection. The fluorescent images presented distinguishable color variations from red to yellow with dichlorvos concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 120 μg L^-1, and the limit of detection was 1.0 μg L^-1. In the practical samples testing, threaded 3D μPAD can eliminate background influence on fluorescent signal for OPs detection. Threaded 3D μPAD integrated with ratiometric sensing platform has merits of accuracy response, facile operation, and background-free detection, which supplies a new alternative approach for on-site pesticide detection.

Transcriptomics and Metabolomics for Co-Exposure to a Cocktail of Neonicotinoids and the Synergist Piperonyl Butoxide

Here, the transcriptomics and metabolomics on a model of exposure to a cocktail of neonicotinoids (Neo) containing seven commercial compounds and a synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) were established. The results showed that Neo and PBO disrupted mRNA and metabolite levels in a dose-dependent manner. Neo caused tryptophan pathway-related neurotoxicity, reduced lipolysis, and promoted fat mass accumulation in the liver, while PBO induced an increase in inflammatory factors and damage to intercellular membranes. Co-exposure enhanced Neo-induced liver steatosis, focal necrosis, and oxidative stress by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Furthermore, diglycerides and metabolic biomarkers demonstrated that the activation of insulin signaling is associated with restricted OXPHOS, which commonly leads to a high risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the result of over-synthesis of lipids, low energy supply, and high thermogenesis. The study demonstrates that chronic disease can be induced by Neo and the synergist PBO at the molecular level.

Pesticides monitoring in biological fluids: Mapping the gaps in analytical strategies

Pesticides play a key-role in the development of the agrifood sector allowing controlling pest growth and, thus, improving the production rates. Pesticides chemical stability is responsible of their persistency in environmental matrices leading to bioaccumulation in animal tissues and hazardous several effects on living organisms. The studies regarding long-term effects of pesticides exposure and their toxicity are still limited to few studies focusing on over-exposed populations, but no extensive dataset is currently available. Pesticides biomonitoring relies mainly on chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry, whose large-scale application is often limited by feasibility constraints (costs, time, etc.). On the contrary, chemical sensors allow rapid, in-situ screening. Several sensors were designed for the detection of pesticides in environmental matrices, but their application in biological fluids needs to be further explored. Aiming at contributing to the implementation of pesticides biomonitoring methods, we mapped the main gaps between screening and chromatographic methods. Our overview focuses on the recent advances (2016-2021) in analytical methods for the determination of commercial pesticides in human biological fluids and provides guidelines for their application.