Recent advances in on-site sensing systems for detecting pesticide positive list system (PLS) violations in...

The persistent use of pesticides in agriculture has raised critical concerns regarding food safety and public health, as agricultural commodities frequently exceed the MRLs established under PLS frameworks. Traditional techniques such as gas chromatography and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry offer high precision detection, but they are limited by their reliance on centralized laboratories, higher cost, and prolonged completion times, rendering them unsuitable for on-site application. In response, considerable advances have been made toward the development of portable onsite sensing platforms that are capable of real-time pesticide detection. This review investigates the recent advances in on-site sensing technologies, specifically emphasized on incorporating biorecognition elements, nanomaterials, and digital tools. However, challenges such as limited multiplexing capabilities, matrix interferences, and the absence of standardized protocols notably remained present. Therefore, future research should focus on device miniaturization, multiplex detection, AI-assisted data analysis, and harmonization of regulatory standards to ensure MRL compliance.