Brazilian researchers develop biodegradable, plant-wearable sensor for detection of pesticides on vegetables

Brazilian researchers at the Federal University of Viçosa and University of São Paulo have developed an easy-to-manufacture plant-wearable sensor for the detection of pesticides on vegetables. The sensor is primarily made of biodegradable and food contact safe cellulose acetate (made from wood pulp) and carbon allowing for long-term, continuous use. These inexpensive sensors scored at least 80 out of 100 on both Green Analytic Chemistry (GAC) AGREE and AES measures of environmental friendliness.

Agricultural pesticide use has increased over past decades to control pests, weeds, and fungus, but these chemicals are often toxic at high concentrations. Although pesticides are applied carefully, wind often blows them onto unintended areas, so the detection of contaminated crops is vital in keeping pesticide exposure to a safe level for human consumption.

The research tested the detection of two common pesticides, carbendazim and paraquat. The former is an anti-fungal often sprayed on citrus crops like oranges in Brazil. The latter is an herbicide sprayed on farmland to quickly clear out weeds or illegal marijuana grows. Carbendazim affects the male reproductive organs while paraquat is toxic to humans when inhaled or ingested because it is dozens of times more powerful than glyphosate, a common residential grass killer.

The sensors were tested with pesticide concentrations from 0.1 to 1.0 μM (or 0.1 to 1 ppm) at the lower end of US FDA acceptable levels on food crops. Sprayed on lettuce and tomatoes, the sensors retained high detection performance even after hundreds of bending cycles. Pesticide levels on produce during contamination with pesticides and decontamination by washing and soaking with water were reliably detected. Before consumer sensors are released, why not wash your fruits and vegetables with a top-rated veggie wash (like this at Amazon) to keep pesticides out of your body.