Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides have been categorized as highly toxic due to their ability to affect the neurological system. Their impact on health and the environment has resulted in strict regulations in European Union for their use. However, such restrictions have not been implemented world-wide. Given their toxicity, it is important to identify various strategies for their detection. We demonstrate that the 1,10-phenanthroline derivative, naphtho[2,3-h]dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine-8,13-dione (QDPPZ) is an excellent electrochemical sensor and that through differential pulse voltammetry, is able to show electrochemical signal variations in the presence of the OP pesticides: ethion, fenthion, malathion, parathion, paraoxonethyl. The detection limits, as low as parts-per trillion, were shown. The signal displayed for QDPPZ with each of the analytes was specific to each of the pesticides, demonstrating that the method can distinguish between various OP pesticides. The method developed is simple, fast and sensitive, and allows environmental detection of pesticides using a straightforward process.

Novel selective electrochemical sensor for toxic organophosphorus pesticides

2019 Spring National Meeting

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