New method can detect pesticide residue in milk

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, February 9

A student of the dairy chemistry division of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) has developed a nano-particle-based colorimetric method to detect pesticide residue in milk.

It is reportedly a first-of-its-kind nano-particle-based method for milk as according to the student, it is cost-effective, rapid and easy to use.

At present, sophisticated instruments are being used to detect pesticide residue in milk, which require trained technicians.

For developing this method, the student has been awarded first prize in the national conference on “Emerging trends for development of functional food” at MAFSU-Nagpur Veterinary College in Nagpur on February 7.

Wangdare Sachin, presently pursuing PhD in food safety and quality assurance of the dairy chemistry division under the guidance of Dr Raman Seth, principal scientist, worked for around four years on this project and developed this method using gold particles.

“The gold nano-particle method is an alternative to conventional methods for detection of pesticide residue in milk. Pesticide residue in food has become a big challenge for society. I decided to develop nanotechnology-based method so that detection can be done easily,” said Sachin.

“In my method, we can determine pesticide residue visually using gold nano-particles as an analytical tool. We can determine pesticide residue in 20 to 25 minutes compared to around two hours while using sophisticated machines,” he said.

“Nanotechnology is very easy to handle. It involves mixing supernatant of pesticide-containing milk in nano-particle solution. If there is pesticide in milk, red nano particles turn blue,” he explained.

Dr MS Chauhan, Director NDRI, praised the student for developing this method. He said pesticides were being extensively used in agricultural fields to control pests and increase yield, leading to exceeding the maximum residue limit set by regulatory bodies like the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India.

“There are several ways of exposure to pesticides that may lead to skin problems, dermatitis, respiratory problems, reproductive problems, asthma, problems involving the nervous system and various cancers,” he pointed out.

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