Green Guardians: Brazil’s Biodegradable Sensor Ensures Pesticide-Free Produce
Brazilian researchers have produced a plant-wearable pesticide detection sensor that is made from biodegradable and food contact-safe cellulose acetate and carbon. These inexpensive sensors, made from wood pulp, have shown remarkable results and scored high for environmental friendliness. They enable continuous monitoring of pesticides on vegetables for a longer period.
Composition:
Researchers created the plant-wearable sensor from cellulose acetate, a natural material with minimal environmental impact. The biodegradable substrate of this sensor completely decomposes within 340 days, proving to be environmentally friendly. The biodegradable cellulose acetate substrate was fabricated using a casting technique, where the material was poured into a mold with a specific shape. The complete electrochemical system, consisting of three electrodes, was then deposited onto the substrate using a screen-printing method.
Laboratory Trials and Results
Researchers conducted experiments in the laboratory to simulate real-world conditions. – A solution containing carbendazim (fungicide) and paraquat (herbicide) was sprayed on lettuce and tomatoes. – Paraquat was banned in the EU in 2003 due to its harmful effects on humans but it is still used in Brazil. – A sensor was directly attached to lettuce and tomatoes. – Measurements using the sensor showed a level of detection similar to those obtained with polyethylene terephthalate, a commonly used sensor material.
Advantages:
Eco-friendly nature: The cellulose acetate substrate, produced through a casting method, presents an eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials. The researchers showcased the sensor’s ability to function optimally while embracing biodegradability.
Efficiency: The study, which was funded by also investigated whether washing and immersing vegetables in a litter of water for two hours was effective in removing pesticide residues. The results showed the removal of 40% of the carbendazim and 60% of the paraquat from lettuce, and 64% of both from tomatoes.
Ensuring Food Safety: The device has the potential to help assure food safety in a world that increasingly suffers from a shortage of food and the environmental and health problems caused by excessive use of agrochemicals.
Conclusion:
The novel sensor has the potential to aid global sanitary surveillance agencies and organic produce vendors by verifying the absence of pesticides. Farmers can use the sensor to monitor pesticide levels in their fields, enabling them to optimize dosage and reduce overall pesticide usage.
In situ pesticide analysis using the plant wearable sensors. The sensor accurately detects very low levels of two common pesticides on lettuce and tomatoes during contamination and decontamination. (Source: S.C. Teixeira et al. article in Biomaterials Advances)
(Source: Science Direct.com-Biometrical Advances Vol:155)
