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A team of researchers led by Prof. Jiang Changlong from the Hefei Institutes of ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a fast and simple way to detect harmful pesticide residues, with results visible to the naked eye in just 10 seconds. The study was in Analytical Chemistry.

While effective against pests, overexposure to pyrethroids can cause health issues such as dizziness and breathing problems. Detecting them usually requires lab equipment and time-consuming procedures. But this new probe offers a much faster and easier solution.

"We created a new fluorescent probe that lights up in different colors when it comes into contact with pyrethroids," said Liu Anqi, a member of the team. "It's a widely used type of insecticide found in many household and agricultural products."

The probe consists of a special fluorescent dye combined with a common protein to form a molecular complex. Under ultraviolet light, the complex emits a yellow glow. When it encounters pyrethroid molecules, the fluorescence shifts to green—an easily distinguishable change visible to the unaided eye within 10 seconds.

Tests showed that the probe is capable of detecting a broad range of pyrethroid concentrations with high sensitivity. For practical use, the researchers also developed a portable system that users can photograph the glowing sample with a smartphone and estimate pesticide levels based on image color analysis, enabling rapid field testing in kitchens, markets, or agricultural settings.

To detect pesticide vapors—such as those emitted by mosquito coils—the researchers went a step further. They embedded the fluorescent probe into a lightweight, sponge-like aerogel material. This aerogel traps airborne pesticides and shows a visible color change from orange to green. It's one of the first tools of its kind designed for gas-phase pesticide detection.

This breakthrough opens new doors for fast, accessible pesticide monitoring, helping improve food safety and reduce health risks.