Raucci, Ada (2025) Alternative methods to pesticides coupled with biosensors to protect consumer health and the environment. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

Pesticide contamination is one of the major issues of concern affecting the management of agriculture and environmental research today. Pesticides, including organophosphates and copper compounds, are very useful in controlling pathogens and pests to optimize agricultural production, but their use over time has caused lasting contamination of the environment. This contamination, particularly through residues in soil, water and food, poses a serious threat to humans, other living organisms and the sustainable use of crops in the future. In terms of pesticide detection methods, chromatographic techniques and spectrophotometry are used today; however, these methods are very accurate but also quite expensive and time-consuming and are not suitable for in-situ monitoring. These are limitations particularly evident in less developed countries that have limited access to laboratory instrumentation. As a result, a demand has arisen to develop methods for detecting pesticides in the environment that are efficient, inexpensive, and portable. The objectives of this Ph.D. thesis are to address these challenges through the presentation of innovative state-of-the-art technologies in pesticide detection and remediation, based on electrochemical biosensors. The research work involved the development of sensors (low-cost, small and non-invasive) for real-time monitoring of pesticides by using sustainable materials and developing novel sensor technology as a means to mitigate the problem of pesticide contamination while preserving the environment. The thesis is divided into five main chapters, each presenting specific knowledge about the development and diverse applications of biosensors. The first chapter of this thesis describes the global pesticide pollution problem and will illustrate the intensity of pesticide application in agriculture, the dangers involved, and the current concern about the recurring nature of these chemicals in the environment. Chapter 1 emphasizes the importance of developing new methods for pesticide detection, particularly those that can be used in the field and provide immediate results. The objective of this study addresses the question of how to meet the demand for real-time monitoring of pesticides and, at the same time, to address the issues that have been raised about pesticide detection. In Chapter 2, the focus is on the basic concepts of electrochemical biosensors, with more emphasis on biosensor design and operation. In Chapter 3, the concept of bacterial biopolymers as new materials alternative to conventional nondegradable plastics in sensor production, is explained and tested. These are polymers produced by bacteria that are environmentally friendly and biodegradable, explores the possibilities of these new substrates, particularly their use in the construction of electrochemical sensors and incorporation into systems used for pesticide detection. By replacing conventional polymer-based materials with bacterial biopolymers, this research supports progress in the area of green technology for environmental assessment and conservation. Chapter 4 focuses on the development of wearable electrochemical sensors for pesticide detection. This new approach involves the use of sensors in the form of glove-like devices that enable real-time detection of pesticide residues on leaf surfaces and fruit skins. The chapter also presents the design, optimization and real-world application of these wearable sensors, focusing on a specific case study on grapevines at the Quintodecimo winery. The biosensors prepared in this study were applied in the determination of copper ions in vineyards, to assess vine leaf pesticide residues. This wearable technology represents a significant advance in the field of precision agriculture because it is practical and can be easily used in the field to monitor pesticide residues. In Chapter 5, the remediation concept is further developed to demonstrate how pesticide detection can be linked to active remediation of polluted environments. This chapter presents an innovative strategy that incorporates electrochemical measurements and monitoring with remediation methods, such as the use of alginate beads and specific bacteria for the removal of copper ions in polluted environments. The system presented in this study allows pollutants to be detected and treated at the same time, thus offering an innovative and integrated approach to environmental monitoring and management. The integration of real-time sensor data with sanification techniques increases the efficiency of pollution control, especially in soils with high metal contamination, such as agricultural soils. In light of the research outlined in this thesis, it can be concluded that electrochemical biosensors, especially in the form of wearable devices, can revolutionize the process of pesticide detection and elimination in the agricultural and environmental context. This work integrated sensor technology with sustainable materials to provide solutions to problems caused by pesticide contamination. The connection between sensing and remediation technology improves management capacity, particularly for producers, scientists and food safety inspectors in the monitoring and decision making aimed to reduce the use of chemicals such as pesticides in the agroecosystem, thus focusing on reducing future risks in the environment and to human health.

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