Advances in nanosensor strategies for on-site detection of pesticide residues in agricultural products

Abstract

Abstract This review intends to integrate the relevant information related to different sensing methods for pesticide detection in agriculture industry. The use and/or misuse of industrial pesticides results in agricultural pesticide toxicity. Pesticides have been shown to have negative health and environmental consequences. Exponential advancement in nanotechnology has aided the transition of existing food and agriculture industries. The nanotechnological approaches such as remediation, detection, and pollution control have potential impact on the environment. Nanomaterials are gaining huge popularity in agriculture sector as nanosensing strategies for pesticide detection. Nanosensors possess several properties such as selectivity, robustness, and cost-effectiveness etc. Nanosensors developed for the real time monitoring of the pesticides present in the crops and food system, help in improving the crop productivity management as compared to other conventional sensing methods. Therefore, the present study reviews and briefly describes biosensing methods such as electrochemical, potentiometric, amperometric, calorimetric, optical biosensors, and immunosensors for pesticide detection in agriculture sector along with mechanisms and interactions of nanoparticles and enzyme-based sensors with pesticide components and their potential application as novel nanosensors for pesticide detection. The use of pesticides in agriculture sector, their toxicity, health effects, and the available specific detection techniques against them have also been discussed.