Pesticides are essential for modern agriculture but leave harmful residues that threaten human health and ecosystems. This paper reviews key pesticide detection technologies, including chromatography and mass spectrometry, spectroscopic methods, biosensing (aptamer/enzyme sensors), and emerging technologies (nanomaterials, AI). Chromatography-mass spectrometry remains the gold standard for lab-based precision, while spectroscopic techniques enable non-destructive, multi-component analysis. Biosensors offer portable, real-time field detection with high specificity. Emerging innovations, such as nano-enhanced sensors and AI-driven data analysis, are improving sensitivity and efficiency. Despite progress, challenges persist in sensitivity, cost, and operational complexity. Future research should focus on biomimetic materials for specificity, femtogram-level nano-enhanced detection, microfluidic “sample-to-result” systems, and cost-effective smart manufacturing. Addressing these gaps will strengthen food safety from farm to table while protecting ecological balance. This overview aids researchers in method selection, supports regulatory optimization, and evaluates sustainable pest control strategies.
Wang et al. (2025) studied this question.