Advances in Electrochemical and Optical Methods for the Detection of Pesticide Residues: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The development of pesticides has been instrumental in improving agricultural productivity by effectively controlling pests and diseases. However, the widespread use of pesticides has also raised significant environmental and health concerns. To address these issues, various electronic and optical analytical detectors have been developed to monitor pesticide residues in the environment. In the realm of electronic detectors, advancements in impedance sensors and Field-Effect Transistor (FET) sensors have demonstrated remarkable stability, sensitivity, and specificity for detecting specific pesticides. Additionally, traditional electronic sensors have seen improvements in electrode materials, surface modifications, and integration with microfluidic systems. For optical detection, fluorescence spectroscopy and ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy remain widely utilized due to their versatility and accessibility. Meanwhile, emerging techniques such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) offer detailed molecular composition analysis and high sensitivity, making them promising tools for pesticide detection.This review provides a comprehensive overview of advancements in analytical detection of pesticide residues over the past decade, highlighting the strengths and limitations of various detection technologies.