In a statement copied to JoyNews’ Mahmud Mohammed-Nurudeen, the sensitive electrochemical detection method is based on the use of bifunctional cerium oxide nanozyme to detect the organophosphate pesticide in plant extracts, adding to the ever-increasing pool of pesticide detection methods.

Most farmers now rely on pesticides to produce food for general consumption. 

Though, the harmful impacts on human health and environment continue to grow, pesticides are indispensable to modern agriculture.

An estimated 1.8 billion people worldwide are engaged in agriculture and most use pesticides to protect the food and commercial products that they produce.

About 5.6 billion pounds are used globally annually. In many developing countries like Ghana, exposure control programs are limited. Some farmers either use it wrongly or excessively, even though most of them have been trained.

Every year, about 25 million agricultural workers worldwide experience unintentional pesticide poisonings.

Pesticides, such as methyl-paraoxon, have become effective pest repellants for crops like cotton and legumes.

Studies have shown that these pesticides remain in trace concentrations in the final produce, and cause severe adverse effects in humans. It is therefore imperative that traces of organophosphates compounds are detected and removed from plant products.

According to the scientists, monitoring pesticide concentrations is therefore an active field of research.  

An expert in Chinese medicine and pharmaceutical analysis, from the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, China, Dr. Peng Li, and a team of scientists have identified potentially sensitive organophosphates detection methods.

Their painstaking research to find detection methods led them to cerium oxide nanozyme.  

Dr. Li says, “Under the optimized conditions, we achieved desirable recoveries for different herbal samples using cerium oxide nanozyme. We believe that our electrochemical method can be practically applied in the rapid detection of pesticide residues.” 

According to the release, “the scientists modified glassy carbon electrode using the cerium oxide nanozyme. Using methods like cyclic voltammetry, they confirmed that there is a significant signal enhancement owing to the presence of cerium oxide nanozyme.”

“Next, they used this electrode to detect methyl-paraoxon, degraded to p-nitrophenol using the same nanozyme. Their analysis showed that the developed electrochemical method provided an unprecedented wider linear range, from 0.1 to 100 mmol/L, and a detection limit of 0.06 mmol/L for methyl-paraoxon—quite respectable values, so to say.”

The scientists validated the proof of concept for the electrochemical detection of methyl-paraoxon by the use of bifunctional cerium oxide nanozyme, using three Chinese herb samples—Coix lacryma-jobi, Adenophora stricta, and Semen nelumbinis.

Dr. Li and fellow scientists believe there is room for further improvement in the design by supporting the cerium oxide nanozyme on porous materials or on three-dimensional materials with a large surface area, to perform dual functions of catalysis and detection simultaneously, rather than in isolation.

Dr. Li further states that, “With steady methodological improvement, we believe that our method, with its excellent electrochemical performance, can be used to detect other trace substances in a variety of solutions in the near future.”

The study has set the stage for advanced research on effective detection of pesticides in various materials used for human consumption. 

This was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Ben Asante, when he received a delegation of the Ministers of Public Enterprise, Joseph Cudjoe, Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah and the Director-General of State Interests and Governance Authority, Stephen Asamoah-Boateng at Atuabo.

The three were on a familiarisation tour of facilities of the Ghana Gas Company at Atuabo and to obtain first-hand information on the operations of the State-owned entity.

“We have been operating for 10 years, the first four years was basically for construction and the last six has been in operation taking gas from three points, the Jubilee, Sankofa and the TEIN fields for treatment and transportation,” Dr Asante said.

According to Dr Asante, the Ghana National Gas company currently produces between 320 and 350 million scaffolds of gas which is more than enough fuel for electricity generation and for other uses.

He said: “We are looking at producing fertilisers, extending gas to Nyinahin for bauxite extraction and explore gas as heating fuel by companies in Tema.”

MORE:

• Video of Akwaboah’s daughters speaking impeccable British accent warms heart

• New twist to NPP Women’s Organiser’s burnt mining equipment

• This suicide note from final year JHS student will break your heart [Photos]

The Ghana Gas CEO called for a Gas Act to guide the gas industry and provide clarity on an appropriate institutional regulatory framework. He also touched on the need to build local capacity in order to sustain the industry.

Concluding his welcome address, he disclosed that gas would become the most environmentally friendly fuel soon and therefore the Ministry of Railways Development should be encouraged to use gas which will drastically cut down its expenditure compared to imported diesel.

The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr Baffour-Awuah, who was very impressed by what GNGC has achieved over the short period, congratulated them. He also made enquiries about rewards, emoluments, career progression and retirement packages for staff.

On his part, the Minister for Public Enterprises, also congratulated management and staff of Ghana Gas and assured the CEO that he will push for the necessary legal framework to ensure that the company builds on its successes.

The team was taken on a guided tour of the Atuabo gas facilities by the CEO and selected staff from the management team.