Mapping of Pesticide Transmission on Biological Tissues by Surface Enhanced Raman Microscopy with a Gold Nanoparticle Mirror

Abstract

We presented an improved surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) mapping technique for the imaging of pesticides on biological samples including tomato leaves, fruits, and mouse skin using a gold nanoparticle mirror as the SERS substrate. The gold nanoparticle mirror was fabricated using 50 nm commercial citrate-capped gold nanoparticles upon the interface of water and a mediating solvent that was prepared using acetonitrile and hexane. The properties of the gold nanoparticle mirror were compared with gold nanoparticles, and the mirror displayed higher sensitivity with a limit of detection of 0.07 μg/cm2 and better reproducibility with a relative standard deviation of 5.48% for the SERS mapping of pesticide (ferbam) on biological samples. The gold mirror-based SERS mapping technique was also used to investigate pesticide transmission from tomato fruit surfaces to mouse skin after 1 mg/cm2 of pesticides was administered upon the fruit, and the results showed that about 23% of the pesticide was transmitted from the fruit to the mouse skin. We also found that pesticides on the contaminated hand could not be completely removed by routine rinsing with tap water for 2 min. This study provides an effective approach for the imaging of pesticides on biological tissues that would facilitate research on pesticide behaviors both on and in biological systems.

Investigation of the Impact of a Pesticide Adjuvant on Dimethoate Persistence, Penetration, and Stability on Apples Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

“…The AuNP mirror substrate was synthesized following the previous studies. 21,22 Briefly, the same volume of hexane and acetonitrile was first mixed and vortexed. The bottom layer of the solvent was collected as the mediating solvent for subsequent use.…”

“…20 improved uniformity of AuNP distribution and penetration depth of AuNPs to enhance the sensitivity and reproducibility of the SERS mapping technique. 21,22 SESR is able to measure molecular fingerprints. Therefore, it can be used to identify pesticide residues and degraded compounds.…”

Study on the Absorption and Conduction Properties of Vanisulfane in Tobacco

“…In addition, there is no literature report on the systemic conduction of vanisulfane in plants. Therefore, we investigated the systemic transmission of other drugs in plants as a reference [15][16][17]. The present investigation indicates that lignin is the most important sorbent responsible for the adsorption of pesticides in the apoplast.…”

Gold Nanorods as an Efficient Substrate for the Detection and Degradation of Pesticides

“…The main challenge is the time management and to reach ultra-low-level detection, degradation, and/or removal of pesticides . In this regard, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a highly sensitive and specific technique for the ultralow detection of analytes. − Currently, detection of analytes through SERS using noble metal nanoparticles is in trend. ,, SERS enhances the Raman signal using metal nanoparticles. Usage of nanoparticles creates hotspots and thus leads to lower detection levels of the pesticides.…”

“…42−48 Currently, detection of analytes through SERS using noble metal nanoparticles is in trend. 42,43,45 SERS enhances the Raman signal using metal nanoparticles. Usage of nanoparticles creates hotspots and thus leads to lower detection levels of the pesticides.…”