In Situ and Real Time Monitoring and Characterization of Pesticide Residues on and in Fresh Produce Using Sers

Pesticide applications on fresh produce are strictly regulated and monitored due to their toxicities to human health. The overall goal of this proposal is to investigate the behaviors and fate of multi-class pesticides on and in fresh produce (i.e. apples, grapes, and spinach leaves). Innovative methods (i.e. surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy,SERS) will be developed and optimized for study surface and internalized pesticides, respectively. We will then use the method to monitor and characterize the pesticide residues on plant surfaces over time and after postharvest washing. We will also investigate the penetration and translocation of pesticides in fresh produce. The objectives outlined are consistent with the call of Program Area Priorities (Code - A 1331) to "Elucidate physical or molecular mechanisms that allow chemicals to internalize into fresh produce" and "Investigate the fate of foodborne hazards in or on fresh produce associated with produce processing;". The successful completion of this study will establish innovative methods to monitor and characterize pesticides on and in fresh produce, and gain knowledge on the behaviors and fate of pesticide residues on and in fresh produce. Understanding these processes will help us to develop a better strategy to apply pesticides and reduce pesticide exposures from food.