Direct determination of boscalid in grape samples by differential pulse voltammetry using a carbon paste electrode

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Electrochemistry
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Fungicide residues, such as boscalid (BSC), in food products require accurate and efficient detection methods.
• Existing analytical techniques for fungicide determination often involve complex sample preparation steps.
• Development of direct, rapid, and cost-effective electrochemical methods is crucial for food safety monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel electrochemical methodology for the direct quantification of boscalid (BSC).
• To apply this method to various grape matrices, including juice, peel, pulp, and seeds.
• To assess the efficiency and practicality of the developed technique for routine analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a carbon paste electrode (CPE) for electrochemical analysis.
• Employed cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) for BSC detection.
• Investigated the influence of pH using Britton-Robinson Buffer (BRB) and analyzed samples without prior extraction or pre-concentration.

Main Results:

• Identified an irreversible cathodic process for BSC at -1.21 V vs. Ag|AgCl.
• Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) demonstrated superior sensitivity and selectivity for BSC quantification.
• Achieved low limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) across different grape matrices, with high recovery rates (97.13–103.4%).

Conclusions:

• The developed electrochemical method provides a fast, simple, and cost-effective approach for direct boscalid determination in grape products.
• The methodology eliminates the need for sample preparation, making it highly practical for quality control and food safety.
• The carbon paste electrode-based method shows significant potential for routine monitoring of fungicide residues in agricultural samples.