Flow-through optosensing device implemented with photochemically-induced fluorescence for the rapid and simple screening of metsulfuron methyl in environmental waters

An Updated Review on Functionalized Graphene as Sensitive Materials in Sensing of Pesticides

Numerous chemical pesticides were employed for a long time to manage pests, but their uncontrolled application harmed the health and the environment. Accurately quantifying pesticide residues is essential for risk evaluation and regulatory purposes. Numerous analytical methods have been developed and utilized to achieve sensitive and specific detection of pesticides in intricate sampl es like water, soil, food, and air. Electrochemical sensors based on amperometry, potentiometry, or impedance spectroscopy offer portable, rapid, and sensitive detection suitable for on-site analysis. This study examines the potential of electrochemical sensors for the accurate evaluation of various effects of pesticides. Emphasizing the use of Graphene (GR), Graphene Oxide (GO), Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO), and Graphdiyne composites, the study highlights their enhanced performance in pesticide sensing by stating the account of many actual sensors that have been made for specific pesticides. Computational studies provide valuable insights into the adsorption kinetics, binding energies, and electronic properties of pesticide-graphene complexes, guiding the design and optimization of graphene-based sensors with improved performance. Furthermore, the discussion extends to the emerging field of biopesticides. While the GR/GO/rGO based sensors hold immense future prospects, and their existing limitations have also been discussed, which need to be solved with future research.

Sensors Applied for the Detection of Pesticides and Heavy Metals in Freshwaters

Water is essential for every life living on the planet. However, we are facing a more serious situation such as water pollution since the industrial revolution. Fortunately, many efforts have been done to alleviate/restore water quality in freshwaters. Numerous sensors have been developed to monitor the dynamic change of water quality for ecological, early warning, and protection reasons. In the present review, we briefly introduced the pollution status of two major pollutants, i.e., pesticides and heavy metals, in freshwaters worldwide. Then, we collected data on the sensors applied to detect the two categories of pollutants in freshwaters. Special focuses were given on the sensitivity of sensors indicated by the limit of detection (LOD), sensor types, and applied waterbodies. Our results showed that most of the sensors can be applied for stream and river water. The average LOD was72.53±12.69 ng/ml (n=180) for all pesticides, which is significantly higher than that for heavy metals (65.36±47.51 ng/ml,n=117). However, the LODs of a considerable part of pesticides and heavy metal sensors were higher than the criterion maximum concentration for aquatic life or the maximum contaminant limit concentration for drinking water. For pesticide sensors, the average LODs did not differ among insecticides (63.83±17.42 ng/ml,n=87), herbicides (98.06±23.39 ng/ml,n=71), and fungicides (24.60±14.41 ng/ml,n=22). The LODs that differed among sensor types with biosensors had the highest sensitivity, while electrochemical optical and biooptical sensors showed the lowest sensitivity. The sensitivity of heavy metal sensors varied among heavy metals and sensor types. Most of the sensors were targeted on lead, cadmium, mercury, and copper using electrochemical methods. These results imply that future development of pesticides and heavy metal sensors should (1) enhance the sensitivity to meet the requirements for the protection of aquatic ecosystems and human health and (2) cover more diverse pesticides and heavy metals especially those toxic pollutants that are widely used and frequently been detected in freshwaters (e.g., glyphosate, fungicides, zinc, chromium, and arsenic).

Green analytical chemistry – the use of surfactants as a replacement of organic solvents in spectroscopy

This chapter gives an introduction to the many practical uses of surfactants in analytical chemistry in replacing organic solvents to achieve greener chemistry. Taking a holistic approach, it covers​ some background of surfactants as chemical solvents, their properties and as green chemicals, including their environmental effects. The achievements of green analytical chemistry with micellar systems are reviewed in all the major areas of analytical chemistry where these reagents have been found to be useful.

Development of an semi-automatic and sensitive photochemically induced fluorescence sensor for the determination of thiamethoxam in vegetables

The determination of thiamethoxam (TMX), a widely known neonicotinoid pesticide, by a multicommutated optosensing device implemented with photochemically induced fluorescence (PIF) has been developed. The combination of both methodologies allows, on one hand a quick on-line photodegradation of TMX and, on the other hand, the preconcentration, quantification and desorption of the fluorescent photoproduct generated once retained on C18 silica gel filling the flow-cell which was monitored at 353 and 407nm for excitation and emission wavelengths, respectively. The proposed analytical method presents a detection limit of 3.6ngmL(-1) by using Multicommutated Flow Injection Analysis (MCFIA) as flow methodology. Recovery experiments have been carried out in different kinds of vegetables at levels same or below the legislated maximum residue limit, demonstrating that this method combines advantages such as simplicity, high sensibility and high selectivity, in addition to fulfill the requirements for its applications in quality control. The obtained results in the analysis of real samples were in good agreement with those provided by a reference liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.

Direct determination of gibberellic acid in tomato and fruit by using photochemically induced fluorescence

A simple, sensitive method for determining gibberellic acid based on photochemically induced fluorescence detection was developed to determine this plant growth regulator in a technical formulation, tomato, and fruit samples. The principle for the determination is the photochemical reactivity of the gibberellic acid, being consistent with the occurrence of photoaromatization and photochemical dimerization with loss of carbon dioxide, and with the likely formation of various fluorescent photoproducts. Six min of UV (mainly at 253.7 nm) irradiation in a solution containing 50% (v/v) methanol and buffer at pH 5 provided the best results. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 50-150 ng mL(-1), and the limit of detection was 1.7 ng mL(-1). The method is useful to determine gibberellic acid in samples with background fluorescence such as plum and tomato without the need for labor-intensive preparation as a result of UV irradiation suppressing the fluorescent background.

Luminescence sensors applied to water analysis of organic pollutants--an update

The development of chemical sensors for environmental analysis based on fluorescence, phosphorescence and chemiluminescence signals continues to be a dynamic topic within the sensor field. This review covers the fundamentals of this type of sensors, and an update on recent works devoted to quantifying organic pollutants in environmental waters, focusing on advances since about 2005. Among the wide variety of these contaminants, special attention has been paid polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, explosives and emerging organic pollutants. The potential of coupling optical sensors with multivariate calibration methods in order to improve the selectivity is also discussed.