Detection of pesticide residues in commercially available fruits and vegetables

Abstract

The world’s population is growing, but there are only few resources available for detecting pesticide and fertilizer residues in the fresh fruits and vegetables. Farmers constantly work to enhance crop productivity, not only using organic fertilizers but also they are using synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, in order to meet the world’s growing demand for food. Chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides are used on crops to prevent damage from pests, insects, and fungi. These might enhance production, but as a result the quality of the food will suffer. Overuse of pesticides and fertilizers allows these chemicals to enter the food chain, where they ultimately result in bio magnifications. We consume the same items, which are harmful to our health. Therefore, a portable instrument that can identify the organic components of food is required. This study focuses on identifying the pesticide and fertilizer residues in order to determine if the food is safe to eat or not, this equipment uses sensors to detect the fertilizer concentration and infrared light to detect environmental contaminants. The gadget would show the percentage of pesticide and fertilizer residues present in the fruits and vegetables. The user can use this ratio as a guide to figure out which items are safe to eat.