Detection of Organophosphorus, Pyrethroid, and Carbamate Pesticides in Tomato Peels: A Spectroscopic Study

Tomatoes are among the most widely consumed and economically significant fruits in the world. However, the extensive use of pesticides in their cultivation has led to the contamination of the peels, posing potential health risks to consumers. As one of the top global producers, consumers, and export...

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Main Authors: Acela López-Benítez, Alfredo Guevara-Lara, Diana Palma-Ramírez, Karen A. Neri-Espinoza, Rebeca Silva-Rodrigo, José A. Andraca-Adame
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2543
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author Acela López-Benítez
Alfredo Guevara-Lara
Diana Palma-Ramírez
Karen A. Neri-Espinoza
Rebeca Silva-Rodrigo
José A. Andraca-Adame
author_facet Acela López-Benítez
Alfredo Guevara-Lara
Diana Palma-Ramírez
Karen A. Neri-Espinoza
Rebeca Silva-Rodrigo
José A. Andraca-Adame
author_sort Acela López-Benítez
collection DOAJ
description Tomatoes are among the most widely consumed and economically significant fruits in the world. However, the extensive use of pesticides in their cultivation has led to the contamination of the peels, posing potential health risks to consumers. As one of the top global producers, consumers, and exporters of tomatoes, Mexico requires rapid, non-destructive, and real-time methods for pesticide monitoring. In this study, a detailed characterization of six pesticides using Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies was carried out to identify their characteristic vibrational modes. The pesticides examined included different chemical classes commonly used in tomato cultivation: organophosphorus (dichlorvos and methamidophos), pyrethroids (lambda-cyhalothrin and cypermethrin), and carbamates (methomyl and benomyl). Tomato peel samples were examined both before and after pesticide application. Prior to treatment, the peel exhibited a well-organized polygonal structure and showed the presence of carotenoid compounds. After pesticide application, no visible structural damage was observed; however, distinct vibrational bands enabled the detection of each pesticide. Organophosphorus pesticides could be identified through vibrational bands associated with P-O and C-S bonds. Pyrethroid detection was facilitated by benzene ring breathing modes and C=C stretching vibrations, while carbamates were identified through C-N stretching contributions. Phytotoxicity testing in the presence of pesticides indicates no significant damage during the germination of tomatoes.
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spelling doaj-art-3f80d65e5c394457943a477fe1cbe6612025-08-20T03:58:26ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011414254310.3390/foods14142543Detection of Organophosphorus, Pyrethroid, and Carbamate Pesticides in Tomato Peels: A Spectroscopic StudyAcela López-Benítez0Alfredo Guevara-Lara1Diana Palma-Ramírez2Karen A. Neri-Espinoza3Rebeca Silva-Rodrigo4José A. Andraca-Adame5Departamento de Nanomateriales, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería Campus Hidalgo (UPIIH), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), San Agustín Tlaxiaca 42162, Hidalgo, MexicoÁrea Académica de Química, Instituto de Ciencias Básicas e Ingeniería (ICBI), Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo (UAEH), Mineral de la Reforma 42184, Hidalgo, MexicoDepartamento de Nanomateriales, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería Campus Hidalgo (UPIIH), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), San Agustín Tlaxiaca 42162, Hidalgo, MexicoDepartamento de Nanomateriales, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería Campus Hidalgo (UPIIH), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), San Agustín Tlaxiaca 42162, Hidalgo, MexicoCentro de Investigación en Petroquímica, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Madero, Ciudad Madero 89600, Tamaulipas, MexicoDepartamento de Nanomateriales, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Ingeniería Campus Hidalgo (UPIIH), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), San Agustín Tlaxiaca 42162, Hidalgo, MexicoTomatoes are among the most widely consumed and economically significant fruits in the world. However, the extensive use of pesticides in their cultivation has led to the contamination of the peels, posing potential health risks to consumers. As one of the top global producers, consumers, and exporters of tomatoes, Mexico requires rapid, non-destructive, and real-time methods for pesticide monitoring. In this study, a detailed characterization of six pesticides using Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopies was carried out to identify their characteristic vibrational modes. The pesticides examined included different chemical classes commonly used in tomato cultivation: organophosphorus (dichlorvos and methamidophos), pyrethroids (lambda-cyhalothrin and cypermethrin), and carbamates (methomyl and benomyl). Tomato peel samples were examined both before and after pesticide application. Prior to treatment, the peel exhibited a well-organized polygonal structure and showed the presence of carotenoid compounds. After pesticide application, no visible structural damage was observed; however, distinct vibrational bands enabled the detection of each pesticide. Organophosphorus pesticides could be identified through vibrational bands associated with P-O and C-S bonds. Pyrethroid detection was facilitated by benzene ring breathing modes and C=C stretching vibrations, while carbamates were identified through C-N stretching contributions. Phytotoxicity testing in the presence of pesticides indicates no significant damage during the germination of tomatoes.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2543pesticidesmethomyldichlorvostomatoFT-IRRaman spectroscopy
spellingShingle Acela López-Benítez
Alfredo Guevara-Lara
Diana Palma-Ramírez
Karen A. Neri-Espinoza
Rebeca Silva-Rodrigo
José A. Andraca-Adame
Detection of Organophosphorus, Pyrethroid, and Carbamate Pesticides in Tomato Peels: A Spectroscopic Study
Foods
pesticides
methomyl
dichlorvos
tomato
FT-IR
Raman spectroscopy
title Detection of Organophosphorus, Pyrethroid, and Carbamate Pesticides in Tomato Peels: A Spectroscopic Study
title_full Detection of Organophosphorus, Pyrethroid, and Carbamate Pesticides in Tomato Peels: A Spectroscopic Study
title_fullStr Detection of Organophosphorus, Pyrethroid, and Carbamate Pesticides in Tomato Peels: A Spectroscopic Study
title_full_unstemmed Detection of Organophosphorus, Pyrethroid, and Carbamate Pesticides in Tomato Peels: A Spectroscopic Study
title_short Detection of Organophosphorus, Pyrethroid, and Carbamate Pesticides in Tomato Peels: A Spectroscopic Study
title_sort detection of organophosphorus pyrethroid and carbamate pesticides in tomato peels a spectroscopic study
topic pesticides
methomyl
dichlorvos
tomato
FT-IR
Raman spectroscopy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2543
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