Additive manufactured microfluidic device for electrochemical detection of carbendazim in honey samples

Abstract

The use of pesticides is one of the primary means of protecting crops. However, this class of compounds can be highly toxic to the environment and humans. In this aspect, developing analytical devices for monitoring pesticides such as carbendazim in food sources is of paramount importance. Thus, the present work presents the application of a paper-based microfluidic device coupled to an additive manufactured platform and electrochemical sensors (produced from lab-made conductive filaments based on carbon black) for the sustainable detection of carbendazim in honey samples. The microfluidic system presented satisfactory results for the analysis of carbendazim, in the linear range from 0.5 to 40.0 µmol L − 1 with a LOD of 0.09 µmol L − 1. The recovery test performed in honey samples showed values ranging between 92.4 and 108.8%. According to the results, the proposed microfluidic device demonstrated a good potential for detecting carbendazim in real samples, with the advantages of employing sustainable and renewable materials.

Keywords

• Additve manufacturing
• Crops
• Agrochemical
• 3d printing
• Electrochemistry
• sensing