Smart Sensing Strategies for Organophosphorus Pesticides Detection: Recent Progress in AuNPs-Based Colorimetric and Fluorometric Methods

The extensive use of organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) in agriculture has significantly contributed to enhanced crop yield and pest control. However, their persistence and high toxicity have raised serious environmental and public health concerns, including neurological disorders, endocrine disruption, and long-term ecological damage. This necessitates the development of rapid, highly sensitive, and cost-effective detection methods for monitoring OP residues in food, water, and soil. In recent years, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gained considerable attention as smart sensing platforms for OP detection, owing to their remarkable optical properties, tunable surface chemistry, and excellent biocompatibility. This review highlights recent progress in AuNPs-based colorimetric and fluorometric sensors specifically tailored for detecting a broad range of OPs. The fundamental detection mechanisms, such as enzyme inhibition, aptamer binding, and aggregation-induced plasmonic shifts are thoroughly discussed to provide insights into sensor design strategies. By integrating nanotechnology with environmental and food safety frameworks, AuNP-based smart sensors represent a transformative approach for real-time, user-friendly detection of OPs. The innovations summarized in this review aim to support the development of accessible analytical tools that can be used by both professionals and non-specialists, ultimately contributing to safer agricultural practices and improved public health outcomes.