Raman Spectroscopy Method for Quantifying Pesticide-Surface Interactions
A surface analysis technique using confocal Raman spectroscopy to generate spatial and concentration maps of pesticide residues on various materials. Enables visualization and quantification of pesticide-surface binding affinity for applications in agricultural safety, food packaging, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance.
Overview
This solution leverages confocal Raman spectroscopy to characterize how pesticides interact with different surfaces, providing both spatial distribution ("heat maps") and quantitative concentration data. By generating signature spectra for specific pesticides and correlating peak intensity to surface concentration, the method reveals where and how strongly pesticide molecules adhere to materials such as plastics and metals. This capability addresses critical needs in agricultural safety, food packaging integrity, environmental contamination assessment, and regulatory residue testing.
Technical specifications
- Confocal Raman spectrometer generates a unique signature spectrum for each pesticide molecule of interest
- Peak intensity correlation links Raman signal strength directly to pesticide concentration on a surface
- Spatial mapping capability produces visual heat maps showing where pesticide residues are located across a material
- Controlled immersion protocol exposes test surfaces (plastics, metals, and other materials) to pesticide solutions for defined time periods
- Selective detection focuses only on pesticide molecules bound through physical interactions such as van der Waals forces or electrostatic attraction, after air drying removes excess solution
- Image analysis software quantifies the amount of pesticide present on each surface
- Broad material compatibility applicable to diverse substrates including polymers and metallic surfaces
Technology readiness level
The approach is at an early-to-mid stage of development. The underlying confocal Raman spectrometer is operational and has been used previously for molecular characterization. Initial validation will focus on obtaining reliable signature spectra for target pesticides and demonstrating qualitative binding affinity data across multiple surface types. Future work will refine quantitative measurement protocols and expand the library of pesticide-surface combinations tested. The method is not yet commercially deployed but builds on established spectroscopic instrumentation and prior departmental expertise.
About Tulane University
Tulane University is a private research institution in New Orleans with comprehensive academic breadth and a collaborative, cross-disciplinary culture. Co-located university and medical campuses anchor the city’s healthcare corridor, enabling access to clinicians, patients, and clinical trial infrastructure. Proximity to hospitals, downtown laboratories, and shared core facilities enables rapid collaboration with startups and established firms, while a major primate research center and Gulf Coast field sites expand options for preclinical studies. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NIH, NSF, and DOE, alongside industry-sponsored agreements. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation with streamlined contracting and corporate engagement.
delivered to your inbox.