Plant-Wearable Sensor: A Greener Alternative for Monitoring Pesticide Levels on Produce

Sunday - February 4 2024, 17:46 UTC - 9 months ago

Brazilian researchers have created a plant-wearable sensor made of biodegradable cellulose acetate that can detect harmful pesticides on fruits and vegetables. This offers a greener and more sustainable alternative to conventional methods of pesticide detection. The sensor is cost-effective, easy to use, and portable, making it a valuable tool for ensuring food safety and promoting sustainable agriculture. Its effectiveness has been tested in real-world settings, highlighting its potential to revolutionize the way we monitor pesticide levels on produce.

Brazilian researchers have developed a revolutionary sensor that can be attached to the skin of fruits and vegetables to detect harmful pesticides. The sensor, made of biodegradable cellulose acetate, offers a greener and more sustainable alternative to conventional methods of pesticide detection.

Pesticides are commonly used in agriculture to increase crop production, but they come with several negative consequences. Not only do they pose a risk to human health, but they also harm pollinators and other beneficial insects, leading to biodiversity loss. Despite receiving much attention and research, the use of chemical pesticides continues to be a major concern in the food industry.

To address this issue, researchers from the São Carlos Physics Institute (IFSC-USP) have developed a plant-wearable sensor that combines low cost, fast detection, and minimal environmental impact. The sensor, published in the journal Biomaterials Advances, is made from plant-based cellulose acetate, which can completely degrade in less than a year, depending on local conditions.

The sensor is applied directly to the surface of fruits, vegetables, or leaves, making it easy and convenient to use. It can detect a wide range of pesticides and has been tested with carbendazim, a fungicide, and paraquat, a herbicide. The results showed that the sensor had similar levels of detection as the most common sensor material, polyethylene terephthalate. This means that the plant-wearable sensor is just as effective as conventional methods in detecting pesticides on produce.

One of the key advantages of this sensor is its portability and flexibility. It can be used in real-world settings, such as on farms or in markets, to ensure food safety. The sensor can also be used to detect any unauthorized pesticide spraying during cultivation, making it a valuable tool for organic farmers and sellers.

The researchers also tested the effectiveness of washing and soaking produce in water to remove pesticide residues. They found that even after two hours of soaking, a significant amount of pesticide residue still remained on the surface of the vegetables. This highlights the need for more effective methods of pesticide detection, such as the plant-wearable sensor developed by the Brazilian researchers.

In a world that faces food scarcity and health issues, the plant-wearable sensor offers a much-needed solution to ensure food safety. It provides a better alternative to conventional methods of pesticide detection, which require sample preparation, costly equipment, and skilled personnel. With its portability, flexibility, and eco-friendly properties, the plant-wearable sensor has the potential to revolutionize the way we monitor pesticide levels on produce.

In conclusion, the plant-wearable sensor developed by Brazilian researchers offers a greener and more sustainable alternative for monitoring pesticide levels on produce. Its biodegradable material, fast detection, and user-friendliness make it a valuable tool for ensuring food safety and promoting sustainable farming practices.