Northumbria University is part of an International project exploring how fluorescent materials can detect the presence of pesticides in food production
The hope is to develop sensors made from organic light-emitting materials that will show a range of responses when they interact with pesticides, such as glowing, stopping glowing, or changing colour when they react, making it easier to detect their presence in crops.
The university will partner with experts in organic light-emitting diodes – more commonly known as OLEDs – which are used in TV and phone screens.
The Federal University of Santa Catarina is part of the project. Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of agricultural products, such as coffee, sugar, tobacco, citrus fruits and grains, but relies heavily on pesticides and herbicides.
A study of 4,600 food samples found more than half contained pesticide residue and 23% had either more pesticide residue than is allowed or contained pesticides that were not legally allowed to be used on the crop. Other studies show concerningly widespread levels of pesticides in water that meet Brazilian safety standards for drinking.
Dr Marc Etherington, an Assistant Professor in Molecular Photophysics at Northumbria University, He explained: “Brazil is one of the largest global users of pesticides due to its vast agricultural area. This makes it a key country to develop new detection methods for pesticides and herbicides being used in the food production industry.
“I’m excited to take the knowledge we have in the specific area of OLEDs and turn it on its head to find a brand-new pathway to solve a global problem.
“If this study works in the way we hope, we believe the science behind it will be applicable for a wide range of industries. There is some huge potential from this work.”
