A new technology that detects
aflatoxins on location was developed by International Crops Research
Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and it was formally
released on Tuesday. The rapid test kit device is also affordable at
under US$ 2.
This exciting advancement combined with a
mobile extraction kit that will be ready in two months, will be the
first portable cost-effective way for farmers and others to detect
aflatoxins instantly.
With funding from the McKnight
Foundation and in collaboration with partners including the National
Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi-NASFAM, Farmers Union Malawi
(FUM), Kamuzu Central Hospital and Nkhoma Hospital, Malawi, the
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
(ICRISAT) developed the rapid test kit for aflatoxins. It is a simple
non-laboratory based kit that can be used directly by non-technical
people such as farmers, agro-dealers and food processors. Currently, the
test can be applied to detect aflatoxin in groundnuts.
The
test kit launched officially by Dr. Wilkson Makumba, Director,
Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS), Lilongwe at
ICRISAT-Malawi, requires limited technical knowledge or training and can
be done on location.
The new test is simple to
perform and can detect contamination at levels of 10 parts per billion
(ppb) in less than 15 minutes. “The device will contribute to manage and
reduce the entry of aflatoxins in the food value chains, improve
diagnosis for local and export trade and support the food processing
industry to maintain low exposure levels in food products in our local
markets as well as for export markets,” said Dr. Anitha Seetha,
Scientist, ICRISAT, Malawi. Groundnut, maize, sorghum, pearl millet,
chilies, pistachios, cassava and other food products are contaminated by
aflatoxin each year.
“ICRISAT has been working with
smallholder farmers in Africa to combat the aflatoxin problem. This kit
will enable rapid and cost-effective deployment by the government and
private sector to protect public health and also improve the export
prospects for African countries,” said Dr. David Bergvinson, Director
General, ICRISAT.
Source : The Hindu
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