Imidaclopride Semi-Quantitative Imaging on Botanic Surfaces with MEES

Anneli Kruve, Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa, Israel
Valery Bulatov, Schulich Faculty Of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa, Israel
Israel Schechter, Schulich Faculty Of Chemistry, Technion, Haifa, Israel

Neonicotinoids, including imidacloprid, are very extensively used for plant protection against insects. Neonicotinoids affect the nervous system of the insects (bees) but are considered only moderately harmful for vertebrates. Therefore, it is important to develop a system for visualizing neonicotinoids from various surfaces, including plant leafs, fruits and vegetables. We report a fast high resolution imaging of imidacloprid from different surfaces based on Multiphoton Electron Extraction Spectroscopy (MEES). This method demonstrates both good sensitivity (LoD down to ng level) and accuracy. Also semi quantitative analyses of imidacloprid from surfaces has been made possible.