Pesticide Biosensor Kit (BioKit)
Organophosphate (OP) and organocarbamate (OC) pesticides are among the most commonly used insecticides in agriculture and domestic settings, and their residues are often found in soil, water resources, and food commodities such as vegetables, fruits, and spices. The Pesticide Biosensor Kit (BioKit), with technology licensed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), offers a simple visual method for detecting the presence of these residues, making it a valuable tool for farmers, traders, and consumers alike.
Uses
- Farm Produce Testing: Detects pesticide residues in farm produce before it goes to market.
- Food Industry & Export Checks: Used to check for pesticide contamination in food products before export.
- Domestic & Consumer Use: Suitable for home use after purchasing fruits and vegetables, including organic produce.
- Trader & Market Screening: Helps traders and mandis screen incoming produce for residue safety before sale.
- Agri-Entrepreneurship: Kit manufacturing can be locally absorbed by entrepreneurs, supporting local production and distribution.
Specifications
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Technology | Developed and licensed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) |
| Detection method | Colorimetric, visual biosensor-based test |
| OP pesticides detected | Methyl parathion, Parathion, Monocrotophos, Chlorpyrifos, Phorate, Profenfos, Quinalphos, Dichlorvos |
| OC pesticides detected | Aldicarb, Carbaryl, Carbofuran, Carbosulfan |
| Sample types | Soil, water, and food commodities (fruits, vegetables, spices) |
| Result time | Within 60 minutes |
| Chemical safety | All chemicals used are safe to handle, no special protective equipment required beyond standard lab precautions |
The Pesticide Biosensor Kit (BioKit) is a simple colorimetric visual biosensor kit designed to detect organophosphate (OP) and organocarbamate (OC) pesticide residues in soil, water, and food commodities.
The kit detects a wide range of commonly used organophosphate and organocarbamate pesticides in a single test.
The kit can detect Methyl parathion, Parathion, Monocrotophos, Chlorpyrifos, Phorate, Profenfos, Quinalphos, and Dichlorvos.
The kit can detect Aldicarb, Carbaryl, Carbofuran, and Carbosulfan.
The BioKit can be used for soil, water, and food commodities, including fruits, vegetables, and spices.
Results are visible within 60 minutes, allowing relatively rapid screening of pesticide residues.
The BioKit uses a colour-based visual indication. The observed colour change corresponds to the safety indication of the tested product, making the result easy to interpret.
The kit is designed as a straightforward colorimetric visual detection method and can be used without conventional laboratory analysis for its intended screening application.
It can be used for detecting pesticide residues in farm produce, checking food products for contamination before export, and domestic screening of purchased fruits and vegetables, including organic produce.
The BioKit is based on technology developed and licensed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Government of India.
