Portable SERS device for rapid detection of indoxacarb and chlorfenapyr in vegetable juice.

Abstract

Concerns over health risks associated with mixed pesticide residues have led to a demand for rapid analytical methods. We present a portable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) device specifically designed for real-time monitoring of indoxacarb (INDX) and chlorfenapyr (CFP) in vegetable juice. This point-of-use sensor integrates silver nanoparticles with a metal-organic framework (Ag/MOF-808(Zr)) and employs a 19-well quartz plate alongside a portable Raman spectroscopy instrument, facilitating simultaneous adsorption, separation, and detection. Detection limits for INDX and CFP in ginger and spinach juices were 0.26-0.76 ppb. Notably, results closely matched those from liquid chromatography, and in-situ detection was achieved within 2 min without pre-treatment, significantly enhancing efficiency over conventional chromatographic methods. This innovative approach demonstrates substantial potential for detecting pesticide mixtures in non-laboratory settings, presenting a valuable option for point-of-use applications.