Novel Microneedle Patch-Based Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Sensor for the Detection of Pesticide Residues

Abstract

Pesticide residues are a global threat to human health, and conventional sensors fail to simultaneously detect pesticide residues on the surface and inside agricultural products. In this work, we present a new microneedle (MN) patch-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensor. The needles and the basement of MNs can simultaneously detect pesticide residues on the surface and inside agricultural products. The Ag nanoparticles and sodium hyaluronate/poly(vinyl alcohol) (HA/PVA) hydrogel used in this MN patch-based sensor efficiently amplify the Raman signals of the pesticide residues. In addition, the HA/PVA hydrogel can effectively and quickly collect the residues, allowing this sensor to detect pesticide residues more conveniently. Furthermore, the stepped structure of the MNs increases the sensor’s surface area. Experimental results show that the sensor can detect thiram and thiabendazole (TBZ) pesticide residues with detection limits of 10–7 and 10–8 M, respectively. The detection process is minimally invasive and not harmful to agricultural products. The application of this MN patch-based SERS sensor can be extended to the safety and health monitoring of other plants and animals.

Detection of food contaminants: A review of established rapid analytical techniques and their applications and limitations

“…MN patch is synthesized by nanosilver particles and sodium hyaluronate/polyvinyl alcohol (HA/PVA) hydrogel, which can also effectively enhance signal strength. The structure of the MN patch not only effectively increases the specific surface area of the sensor but also improves the detection of thiamethoxam and thiabendazole, which LOD were 10 −7 and 10 −8 M. In addition, and most importantly, the test method does not cause damage to the produce (Yi et al., 2023). As shown in (Figure 7b), Tu et al., developed a strategy which combined magnetic‐core shell nanoparticles SERS tags with flow detection immunochromatography.…”

“…The small nanogaps between AuNPs causes the substrate to produce a strong output signal under laser irradiation.The system has a sensitivity of 0.0064 ng/mL LOD(Guo et al, 2023).Yi et al presented SERS sensor based on a new microneedle (MN)patch which have a high sensitivity detection of pesticide residues.MN patch is synthesized by nanosilver particles and sodium hyaluronate/polyvinyl alcohol (HA/PVA) hydrogel, which can also effectively enhance signal strength. The structure of the MN patch not only effectively increases the specific surface area of the sensor but also improves the detection of thiamethoxam and thiabendazole, which LOD were 10 −7 and 10 −8 M. In addition, and most importantly, the test method does not cause damage to the produce(Yi et al, 2023). As shown in (Figure7b), Tu et al, developed a strategy which combined magnetic-core shell nanoparticles SERS tags with flow detection immunochromatography.…”

Advanced Silk Fibroin Biomaterials‐Based Microneedles for Healthcare

“…The stepped structure of the microneedle enlarges the surface area of the sensor (Figure 4d). [ 64 ] Experiments prove that the microneedle patch can effectively detect the content of pesticide residues on the surface and inside of crops. The detection method is minimally invasive and never affects crops, while detecting the pesticide content can be used for daily quick detection.…”

“…Copyright 2022, Elsevier B.V. d) Illustration showing the ability of microneedle patches to enhance Raman spectroscopy sensors. Reproduced with permission [64]. Copyright 2023, American Chemical Society.…”

Sensitive determination of thiram in apple samples using a ZIF-67 modified Si/Au@Ag composite as a SERS substrate

“…Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has been considered a promising approach for pesticide detection [8][9][10] due to its advantages of rapid response, nondestructive analysis, simple pretreatment, high sensitivity, and great specicity. To conduct SERS analysis, an efficient enhancement substrate is a prerequisite and plays a crucial role in improving the sensing performance.…”