Detection of Insecticides Residues Using Nanosensors

Insecticides constitute an integral part of modern agriculture owing to their elimination properties; insecticides of various types were designed to persist in the environment for a long time to achieve the maximum effect. However, the increased use of insecticides globally has led to harmful consequences on non-target organisms such as animals, birds, and humans. Recently, farmers and food manufacturers are under pressure from legislation to provide food which is free from chemicals and pollutants. The accumulation of insecticides in living systems should be monitored; thus, the detection of insecticides in crops, vegetables, eggs, meat, milk, and water has become necessary. Conventional analysis techniques such as chromatography, spectrometry, spectrophotometry, and polarography are generally used in the detection of insecticides. However, these techniques are associated with some limitations such as time consumption, the need for highly trained people, and expensive equipment due to the complexity of these pollutants. There is a necessity for cost-effective and accurate techniques to detect these neurotoxic compounds rapidly, selectively, and easily on site. Alternatively, biosensors can be employed as an easy and cost-effective tool to detect residues of insecticides. Due to their onsite working and easiness, many biosensors were developed for the monitoring of different environmental samples for insecticide residue detection. Using nanotechnology to improve biosensing technology provides novel technology for environmental monitoring and analysis. Nanobiosensors provide a variety of applications in different sectors such as the environmental, clinical, food, and agricultural sectors for detecting insecticide residues due to the properties of the used nanomaterials. Nanobiosensors provide many advantages as monitoring tools over conventional ones, such as higher sensitivity and selectivity of measurements with minimal sample, portability, and application in the field. This chapter highlights the progress in the development of nanobiosensors and their applications in monitoring and detecting insecticide residues in the environment, soil, food products, and water samples.