A Preliminary Study for Ultraviolet Optical Methyl Salicylate Monitoring in Agriculture

Methyl Salicylate, commonly known as wintergreen oil, is a volatile organic compound which plays a crucial role in agriculture as a signaling compound for plant defense mechanisms and as an attractant for beneficial insects. Rapid and accurate detection of Methyl Salicylate is pivotal for understand...

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Main Authors: Ivana Di Bari, Domenico Longo, Giuseppe D’Arrigo, Gaetano Giudice, Antonella Sciuto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Sensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3021
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author Ivana Di Bari
Domenico Longo
Giuseppe D’Arrigo
Gaetano Giudice
Antonella Sciuto
author_facet Ivana Di Bari
Domenico Longo
Giuseppe D’Arrigo
Gaetano Giudice
Antonella Sciuto
author_sort Ivana Di Bari
collection DOAJ
description Methyl Salicylate, commonly known as wintergreen oil, is a volatile organic compound which plays a crucial role in agriculture as a signaling compound for plant defense mechanisms and as an attractant for beneficial insects. Rapid and accurate detection of Methyl Salicylate is pivotal for understanding plant responses to stress and plant-to-plant communication, and it is crucial for pest management. In this work, we propose a proof of concept for Methyl Salicylate detection in agriculture, exploiting a solid-state sensor technology. Our attention is focused on the monitoring of the second characteristic Methyl Salicylate optical absorption peak, at about 310 nm. To achieve this, we developed an optical sensing apparatus comprising a UV source, a silicon carbide visible-blind UV detector, and a chamber with a 16 cm optical path. This configuration enables testing of various Methyl Salicylate concentrations and achieves a detection limit as low as 70 ppb at room temperature. Preliminary cross-testing with Methyl Jasmonate demonstrated selectivity for Methyl Salicylate, confirming the sensor’s specificity. Additionally, a design for a compact and handheld system for on-site volatile organic compound monitoring in the agricultural field is also proposed.
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spelling doaj-art-137ce903f4c54beda40d372ada719e1d2025-08-20T03:47:57ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-05-012510302110.3390/s25103021A Preliminary Study for Ultraviolet Optical Methyl Salicylate Monitoring in AgricultureIvana Di Bari0Domenico Longo1Giuseppe D’Arrigo2Gaetano Giudice3Antonella Sciuto4Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Microelettronica e Microsistemi (CNR-IMM), VIII Strada n. 5, Zona Industriale, 95121 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment of University of Catania (Di3A-UniCT), Via S. Sofia, 100, 95123 Catania, ItalyConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Microelettronica e Microsistemi (CNR-IMM), VIII Strada n. 5, Zona Industriale, 95121 Catania, ItalyIstituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Catania, Osservatorio Etneo (INGV-OE), Piazza Roma 2, 95125 Catania, ItalyConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto per la Microelettronica e Microsistemi (CNR-IMM), VIII Strada n. 5, Zona Industriale, 95121 Catania, ItalyMethyl Salicylate, commonly known as wintergreen oil, is a volatile organic compound which plays a crucial role in agriculture as a signaling compound for plant defense mechanisms and as an attractant for beneficial insects. Rapid and accurate detection of Methyl Salicylate is pivotal for understanding plant responses to stress and plant-to-plant communication, and it is crucial for pest management. In this work, we propose a proof of concept for Methyl Salicylate detection in agriculture, exploiting a solid-state sensor technology. Our attention is focused on the monitoring of the second characteristic Methyl Salicylate optical absorption peak, at about 310 nm. To achieve this, we developed an optical sensing apparatus comprising a UV source, a silicon carbide visible-blind UV detector, and a chamber with a 16 cm optical path. This configuration enables testing of various Methyl Salicylate concentrations and achieves a detection limit as low as 70 ppb at room temperature. Preliminary cross-testing with Methyl Jasmonate demonstrated selectivity for Methyl Salicylate, confirming the sensor’s specificity. Additionally, a design for a compact and handheld system for on-site volatile organic compound monitoring in the agricultural field is also proposed.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3021Methyl SalicylateVOC sensingagricultureUV optical sensorsolid-state spectroscopy
spellingShingle Ivana Di Bari
Domenico Longo
Giuseppe D’Arrigo
Gaetano Giudice
Antonella Sciuto
A Preliminary Study for Ultraviolet Optical Methyl Salicylate Monitoring in Agriculture
Sensors
Methyl Salicylate
VOC sensing
agriculture
UV optical sensor
solid-state spectroscopy
title A Preliminary Study for Ultraviolet Optical Methyl Salicylate Monitoring in Agriculture
title_full A Preliminary Study for Ultraviolet Optical Methyl Salicylate Monitoring in Agriculture
title_fullStr A Preliminary Study for Ultraviolet Optical Methyl Salicylate Monitoring in Agriculture
title_full_unstemmed A Preliminary Study for Ultraviolet Optical Methyl Salicylate Monitoring in Agriculture
title_short A Preliminary Study for Ultraviolet Optical Methyl Salicylate Monitoring in Agriculture
title_sort preliminary study for ultraviolet optical methyl salicylate monitoring in agriculture
topic Methyl Salicylate
VOC sensing
agriculture
UV optical sensor
solid-state spectroscopy
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/10/3021
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