31/07/2025
Detection techniques for pesticides have evolved significantly to ensure food safety, environmental protection, and human health. These techniques can be broadly categorized into instrumental, biosensor-based, and immunoassay methods. Instrumental methods such as gas chromatography (GC), liquid chromatography (LC), and mass spectrometry (MS), often used in combination (e.g., GC-MS, LC-MS/MS), are highly sensitive and specific, allowing for the detection of trace levels of a wide range of pesticide residues in complex matrices. These methods require skilled personnel and sophisticated equipment, making them more suitable for laboratory settings. Biosensor-based detection, employing enzymes, antibodies, or aptamers as recognition elements, offers rapid, portable, and cost-effective alternatives for on-site analysis, though sometimes with limited sensitivity or specificity. Immunoassays like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are widely used for screening purposes due to their ease of use, high throughput, and relatively low cost, but they may suffer from cross-reactivity and false positives. Advances in nanotechnology, molecular imprinting, and artificial intelligence are further enhancing pesticide detection by improving selectivity, sensitivity, and automation. Together, these diverse techniques provide a comprehensive toolkit for monitoring pesticide residues in agricultural, environmental, and food safety applications.
