Analysis of Chemical Residues in Agriculture

Book excerpt: Analysis of Chemical Residues in Agriculture presents a focused, yet comprehensive guide on how to identify, evaluate and analyze the wide range of chemicals that impact our food production system. The book presents a variety of analytical technologies and methods in order to help professionals, researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students understand chemical residues in agriculture and apply them to applications for the detection and quantification of chemical residues – both organic and inorganic – in several agricultural matrices, including crops, fruits, meat, food, feed, soil and water. Agriculture remains one of the most strategic sectors for the global economy and well-being. However, it is seen as a source of environmental and health concerns mainly due to the high amount of pesticides and fertilizers used in production systems around the world; moreover, a thorough understanding of the topic is necessary when we consider livestock production systems also apply large amounts of veterinary drugs to treat illness and promote increases in productivity. - Identifies the main scientific and technological approaches of analytical chemistry dedicated to agricultural and related matrices to solve real problems and for R&D purposes - Provides a description of the analytical technologies and methodologies used to reduce the negative impact of several agrochemicals on the environment and health - Explores cutting-edge analytical technologies to detect residues in agricultural and related matrices