Efficient Heavy Metals Detection in Plants: A Microfluidic Approach Combined with Laser-Induced Breakdown...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Plant Science

Background:

• Heavy metal contamination in plants poses risks to plant and human health.
• Current detection methods are often costly and destructive to plant samples.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a rapid, cost-effective, and non-destructive method for detecting heavy metals in plants.
• To present a wearable paper-based microfluidic sap enrichment (PMSE) device integrated with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS).

Main Methods:

• Utilized colorimetric analysis to optimize filter paper parameters for heavy metal enrichment.
• Employed copper nanoparticle (CuNPs)-modified filter paper for enhanced heavy metal accumulation and LIBS signal amplification.
• Applied the PMSE-LIBS system for detecting Cadmium (Cd(II)) and Lead (Pb(II)) in cucumber plants.

Main Results:

• Achieved efficient and uniform heavy metal accumulation using optimized filter paper.
• Demonstrated successful detection of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in cucumber plants within a 0-150 ppb concentration range.
• Established low detection limits: 3 ppb for Cd(II) and 5 ppb for Pb(II).

Conclusions:

• The developed PMSE-LIBS method provides a viable approach for rapid heavy metal detection in plants.
• This technology offers a theoretical basis and technical support for safeguarding plant and human health from heavy metal exposure.