Microfluidic devices for the detection of pesticide residues

Pesticides, in various forms, are used for the protection of crops. However, their residues are detrimental to human, animal, and environmental health. Therefore, their detection, monitoring, and control have gained prominent research focus. While most conventional detection techniques demand sophisticated analytical instrumentation, longer processing times, and skill sets, microfluidic devices are increasingly being recognized, given their inherent benefits of miniaturization, lesser sample requirements, portability, and ease of integration, in addition to sensitivity and selectivity. This review provides advances in state-of-the-art microfluidic devices for pesticide detection applications. While key findings of recent studies have been highlighted to better explain their widening application range, the article also provides information on fundamental aspects of fluid flow in microfluidic channels, device fabrication, and system considerations. As a versatile technology, there is ample scope for their integration with other sensing systems, all of which are need-specific. This work also throws light into the techno-economic feasibility, research needs, and prospects for the commercialization of microfluidic systems for pesticide detection applications.