Abstract
The illegal sale of pesticides is a current problem around the world and has been increasing year by year. Thus, the development of novel, fast and simple analytical methods for screening and quantification of these compounds is a relevant matter. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, the possibility of electrochemical detection of fungicide benzovindiflupyr (BENZO) using a microfluidic thread electroanalytical device (µTED) coupled to amperometric detection. The µTED used here contains an integrated three-electrode detector and was fabricated by 3D printing using conductive (carbon black/polylactic acid, CB-PLA) and non-conductive (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ABS) filaments. It allows a large-scale and reproducible production of this analytical platform, making its implementation easier and accessible to other users. Using the optimal parameters, this 3D-printed µTED (3D-µTED) provided a linear response for BENZO in the concentration range from 3.0 to 120.0 µmolL−1. The limit of detection (LOD) obtained was 0.44 µmolL−1. The 3D-µTED was successfully used for the screening and quantification of BENZO in smuggled products. Screening results were compared with gas-chromatography and presented great concordance. The results found in the quantitative analyses showed good accuracy (values between 98 and 103 % of those stated on the product labels) and precision (relative standard deviations < 5 %), evidencing the great potential of this microfluidic platform in forensic sciences.
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