Point-of-Care Technique to Detect Chemical Contaminants in Liquid Foods

Development of a point-of-care device to detect chemical contaminants in liquid foods

Objective

• This project aims to address the critical issue of food adulteration, particularly in liquid foods like milk, by developing a low-cost and simple-to-use gadget. The objective is to create a 3D paper-based microfluidic device capable of detecting multiple adulterants instantly, ensuring the safety of liquid food consumption. The project also seeks to improve manufacturing methods, enhance detection techniques, and provide comprehensive qualitative and quantitative data on contaminants.

Description

• Develop a low-cost, rapid, and facile fabrication technique for paper-based devices., Test chemical reagents and ideal detection techniques., Experiment with different samples and improve sensitivity and limit of detection., Package the device for practical use and compare it with existing methods.

Impact

• Food adulteration poses a serious threat to public health, especially in developing countries like India. This project addresses this issue by creating a cost-effective, user-friendly device capable of detecting contaminants in liquid foods. By improving detection methods and making them accessible even in low-resource settings, this technology can significantly impact food safety. With a focus on milk, a widely consumed product, and plans for adaptability to other liquid foods, this innovation can enhance food safety monitoring, protect human health, and benefit consumers, schools, hotels, labs, and food manufacturers.