Fast, Cheap 'Dipstick' Test to Identify Pesticides in Foods

A team of Canadian scientists has developed a fast, inexpensive 'dipstick' test to identify small amounts of pesticides that may exist in foods and beverages.

John Brennan and colleagues said that their paper-strip test is more practical than conventional pesticide tests, producing results in minutes rather than hours by means of an easy-to-read colour-change.

Food Additives - Types Functions Miscellaneous Fast Foods Conclusions FAQs
A food additive is a non-nutritive substance added deliberately to any food product to improve its color, texture, flavor or shelf life

They noted in the new study that conventional tests for detecting pesticides tend to use expensive and complex equipment and in some cases can take several hours to produce results.

They cite a growing need for cheaper, more convenient, and more eco-friendly tests for pesticides, particularly in the food industry.

Brennan and colleagues describe the development of a new paper-based test strip that changes colour shades depending on the amount of pesticide present.

Processed Foods - Convenience foods
Processed or convenience foods require less time and energy for food preparation. Most of the processed foods are healthy with nutritional values.

In laboratory studies using food and beverage samples intentionally contaminated with common pesticides, the test strips accurately identified minute amounts of pesticides.

The test strips, which produced results in less than 5 minutes, could be particularly useful in developing countries or remote areas that may lack access to expensive testing equipment and electricity, they note.

Suicidal Thoughts an Offshoot Of High Levels of Pesticide Exposure
People who are highly exposed to agricultural pesticides are likely to have suicidal thoughts, according to a new study.

The study appears in the November 1 issue of ACS' Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal.

Source-ANI
SRM

Occupational Proximity And Pesticide Exposure May Increase Parkinson's Risk
People whose jobs involve regular pesticide exposure may be more prone to Parkinson's disease, finds a new study.