Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
03:33
Author Spotlight: Development and Application of SERS Flexible Substrates Using Synthesized AgNPs
Published on: November 17, 2023
3.0K
ElectrochemSENSE: A platform towards field deployable direct on-produce glyphosate detection.
Vikram Narayanan Dhamu1, Shalini Prasad1
1Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W Campbell Rd, Richardson, 75080, TX, United States.
Biosensors & Bioelectronics
|October 18, 2020
Summary
A new portable electrochemical sensor, ElectrochemSENSE, rapidly screens for glyphosate herbicide in produce extracts within 5 minutes. This user-friendly device detects glyphosate residues, aiding in food safety assessments.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Biosensors
Background:
- Glyphosate is a widely used organophosphorus herbicide for controlling broadleaf plants and grasses in agriculture.
- Accurate and rapid detection of glyphosate residues in produce is crucial for ensuring food safety and compliance with Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs).
- Existing methods for pesticide detection can be time-consuming, require specialized equipment, and are not field-deployable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the development and validation of a novel, portable electrochemical sensing system (ElectrochemSENSE) for rapid glyphosate detection.
- To evaluate the system's performance in screening glyphosate concentrations in various produce types against established MRLs.
- To integrate a machine learning classifier to enhance accuracy and minimize error rates in pesticide residue analysis.
Main Methods:
- Development of a disposable polymer substrate with metallized electrodes functionalized with polyclonal antibodies specific to glyphosate.
- Utilizing a custom electronic reader to measure capacitive current changes upon selective glyphosate binding, enabling rapid detection (< 5 min).
- Testing the sensor on apple, strawberry, bell pepper, and carrot samples, and integrating a machine learning binary classifier for enhanced accuracy.
Main Results:
- The ElectrochemSENSE system demonstrated rapid detection of glyphosate in produce extracts, with results available in under 5 minutes.
- The sensor successfully screened produce samples for glyphosate concentrations above or below established MRLs.
- The system achieved a limit of detection of 0.01 ppm (10 ng/mL) for glyphosate residues within the permissible Field Operating Range.
Conclusions:
- ElectrochemSENSE offers a user-friendly, portable, and rapid solution for on-site screening of glyphosate contamination in agricultural produce.
- The integration of machine learning enhances the system's analytical capabilities, providing accurate and reliable pesticide residue assessment.
- This technology has the potential to significantly improve food safety monitoring and regulatory compliance in agricultural settings.
