New Techniques for Extraction and Removal of Pesticide Residues

Dear Colleagues,

During the last decade, the pervasive contamination of pesticides in agricultural ecosystems and food supply chains poses escalating threats to environmental integrity and public health. Conventional methods for pesticide residue analysis frequently encounter limitations in sensitivity, selectivity, and efficiency, particularly when addressing complex matrices or emerging contaminants. To mitigate these challenges, the development of advanced extraction and removal technologies has become imperative.

These innovations aim to enhance detection accuracy, reduce processing time, and minimize secondary pollution while complying with global regulatory standards.

This Special Issue focuses on disseminating cutting-edge research in pesticide residue analysis, emphasizing novel methodologies, such as nano-material-based sorbents, green solvent systems, molecularly imprinted polymers, and hybrid purification platforms.

The topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Advanced Extraction Technologies

• Nanomaterial-Based Sorbents: Development of functionalized nanomaterials for selective adsorption of pesticide residues, improving extraction efficiency, and reducing matrix interference.
• Green Solvent Systems: Exploration of eco-friendly solvents to replace traditional organic solvents, minimizing environmental pollution and enhancing safety in extraction workflows.
• Automated and High-Throughput Techniques: Integration of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) with automation platforms for rapid, large-scale sample processing, particularly in complex matrices, such as fruits, vegetables, and soil.

2. Multidisciplinary Analytical Approaches

• AI-Driven Workflow Optimization: Machine learning models for predicting optimal extraction parameters, reducing trial-and-error experiments, and accelerating method development.
• Multi-Residue and Trace-Level Detection: Development of hypersensitive detection systems (e.g., LC-MS/MS and GC-MS) coupled with advanced sample preparation to simultaneously quantify ultra-trace pesticides in diverse matrices.

3. Innovative Purification Strategies

• Hybrid Purification Platforms: Combining physical (e.g., adsorption and filtration), chemical (e.g., oxidation), and biological (e.g., enzymatic degradation) methods to achieve comprehensive residue removal while preserving sample integrity.
• Electrochemical and Nanomaterial-Assisted Purification: Utilization of electrochemical reactors or nano-adsorbents (e.g., metal–organic frameworks) for targeted degradation of persistent pesticides, such as organophosphates and chlorinated compounds.

Dr. Zhonghua Yang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• pesticide multi-residue analysis
• green extraction
• smart purification
• environmental remediation
• AI-driven optimization