Detecting Pesticides: A New Way to See and Measure

Pesticides are a big deal in agriculture. They keep crops safe from pests, but they can also be harmful to humans and the environment. So, detecting them accurately is crucial. Scientists have come up with a new method to do this. It's called a dual-mode colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence method. This means it can detect and measure pesticides in two different ways: by color and by light. The method uses special tiny particles called sulfur and nitrogen co-doped carbon nanodots (S, N-CDs). These dots can stop the activity of another tiny particle called Fe 3 O 4 @Cu-BTC nanozyme. This nanozyme has a strong ability to break down hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) into a substance called hydroxyl radicals. The S, N-CDs can stop this process. This is how the method works. The S, N-CDs also have the ability to soak up these hydroxyl radicals. This makes the method even more effective. The method works by using a special chemical reaction. When the pesticide isocarbophos (ICP) is present, it causes the S, N-CDs to separate from the nanozyme. This allows the nanozyme to start breaking down hydrogen peroxide again. This produces a yellow fluorescent substance called 2, 3-diaminophenazine (DAP).The method can detect very small amounts of ICP. The detection limits are 2. 79 ng/mL for the colorimetric method and 0. 26 ng/mL for the ratiometric fluorescence method. This means it can detect tiny amounts of pesticide in a sample. The method was tested on three different samples. The recovery rates were between 86. 08% and 112. 64%. This shows that the method is accurate and reliable. This new method is a big step forward in pesticide detection. It's highly sensitive and accurate. This means it can detect very small amounts of pesticide and give reliable results. This is important for keeping our food safe and protecting the environment. But, it's also important to remember that pesticides are just one part of the puzzle. We need to think about how we use them and how we can reduce their impact on the environment. The method uses special chemicals and reactions. But, it's also important to think about how we can make it more accessible. This means making it easier to use and more affordable. This way, more people can use it to detect pesticides and keep our food safe. The method is a good start, but there's always more to learn and improve.