New Delhi: The Herbal Research Department of Patanjali has introduced a groundbreaking method to detect harmful substances in fruits and vegetables using biosensors. The study, published in the Microchemical Journal, explores how biosensors can effectively identify pesticide residues, mycotoxins, and heavy metals in food items. The research was conducted at the Patanjali Research Institute in Haridwar.
The study highlights that despite routine pesticide spraying on produce to ward off pests, traces of chemicals often remain, posing risks. Also, these residues are not easily detectable through conventional means and this makes their identification crucial for food safety.
According to the findings by Patanjali, biosensors can serve as a reliable and rapid tool for detecting such contaminants. They are not only effective in identifying harmful compounds in food but can also be used to assess pollutants in the environment. The advantages of biosensors include their quick response time, accuracy, and user-friendly application. These make them suitable for widespread use.
What are biosensors and how do they work?
Biosensors are devices designed to detect the presence of biological elements, analytes, or microorganisms. They typically consist of a bio-recognition component, a transducer, and an electronic system to process the signal. Several types of biosensors are utilised for different purposes, including: amperometric biosensors, optical biosensors, nucleic acid biosensors, Ag (Silver) and Au (Gold) based biosensors
Electrochemical biosensors
Silver and gold-based biosensors have shown promise in detecting pesticide residues, while electrochemical biosensors can identify toxins and heavy metals such as lead and mercury in fruits and vegetables.
By using such technology, harmful substances in food can be detected early. This could enable the removal of contaminated produce from the supply chain before it reaches consumers, thereby reducing the risk to public health.
Advantages of biosensors:
Quick and accurate results: Biosensors can deliver rapid and precise detection of contaminants.
Ease of use: They are user-friendly and can be operated with minimal training.
