In this proof-of-concept study, we explore the detection of pesticides in food using a combined power of sensitive UV-induced fingerprint spectroscopy with selective capture by molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) and portable cost-effective paper-based analytical devices (PADs). The specific pesticides used herein as model compounds (both pure substances and their application products for spraying), were: strobilurins (i.e. trifloxystrobin), urea pesticides (rimsulfuron), pyrethroids (cypermethrine) and aryloxyphenoxyproponic acid herbicides (Haloxyfop-methyl). Commercially available spraying formulations containing the selected pesticides were positively identified by MIP-PADs swabs of sprayed apple and tomato. The key properties of MIP layer - imprinting factor (IF) and selectivity factor (α) were characterized using trifloxystrobin (IF-3.5, α-4.4) was demonstrated as a potential option for in-field application. The presented method may provide effective help with in-field testing of food and reveal problems such as false product labelling.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Mendel University in Brno Zemedelska 1 61300 Brno Czech Republic; Central European Institute of Technology Brno University of Technology Purkynova 123 61200 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Faculty of Pharmacy Mahidol University 447 Sri Ayudhaya Rd Rajathevee Bangkok 10400 Thailand

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Distance-based paper microfluidic devices for rapid visual quantification of heavy metals in herbal supplements and cosmetics