5 - The rapid detection of pesticide residues

Abstract

Publisher Summary In today's world, many different chemicals are used to protect food and the environment from spoilage by a range of pests, such as rodents, weeds, insects, and fungi. This has a great positive economic value by increasing the yield in the food supply chain. Despite their having great benefit to society, the nature of their use means that pesticides are highly toxic to humans and measures must be taken to prevent accidental exposure, whether from occupational exposure or more covertly via the food supply chain itself. A wide range of compounds are used as pesticides, such as the chlorinated hydrocarbons, which have been shown to be highly toxic and may have long-lasting effects on the environment. Research has shown that Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) has had a devastating effect on parts of the food chain. Another important group of pesticides is the Organophosphate (OP) compounds, which are safer than chlorinated hydrocarbons but are still highly toxic. It is thought that the safest pesticides are those derived from plants, such as pyrethrum, but a disadvantage in using these compounds is that they require more frequent application. This chapter focuses on the detection and measurement of organophosphate compounds. Organophosphates are small molecules derived from phosphoric acid with the oxygen atoms being either replaced by other atoms, for example, sulfur, and/or linked to aliphatic, aromatic, anhydrides, or heterocyclic groups. The chapter presents the more important categories of OP compounds with their particular side chains and the structure of three common OPs.