Portable SERS device for rapid detection of indoxacarb and chlorfenapyr in vegetable juice

Concerns over health risks associated with mixed pesticide residues have led to a demand for rapid analytical methods. We present a portable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) device specifically designed for real-time monitoring of indoxacarb (INDX) and chlorfenapyr (CFP) in vegetable juice. This point-of-use sensor integrates silver nanoparticles with a metal-organic framework (Ag/MOF-808(Zr)) and employs a 19-well quartz plate alongside a portable Raman spectroscopy instrument, facilitating simultaneous adsorption, separation, and detection. Detection limits for INDX and CFP in ginger and spinach juices were 0.26–0.76 ppb. Notably, results closely matched those from liquid chromatography, and in-situ detection was achieved within 2 min without pre-treatment, significantly enhancing efficiency over conventional chromatographic methods. This innovative approach demonstrates substantial potential for detecting pesticide mixtures in non-laboratory settings, presenting a valuable option for point-of-use applications.