CSIR Develops ‘FluoriPCR’, Device To Test Food Adulteration.

The “FluoriPCR” device, created by institutions of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is expected to transform food commodity testing.

The FluoriPCR, created by the Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute, Pilani (CEERI) and the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), combines four devices for molecular and biochemical testing in food safety, diagnostics, and health.

“The device was developed as part of CSIR-IITR’s Advancing Technological Leads for Assuring Safety of Food (ATLAS) under CSIR’s Mission Mode Project,” stated Dr. Bhaskar Narayan, head of CSIR-IITR.

FluoriPCR was tested by CSIR-IITR to detect mixing in meat products and verify the species of meat.

Cost of FluoriPCR

Purchasing the necessary equipment to perform these tests is typically costly, totaling around ₹35 lakh.

However, according to a scientist at the center of the creation process, this device might be sold for between ₹1 and ₹1.5 lakh.

Application of the Device

This is a compact device which can easily be carried anywhere, and more importantly, it is customisable.

Testing for adulteration in other food ingredients with DNA, such as wheat and pulses, is another application for it.

Testing for the presence of germs, viruses, fungus, and food allergies like gluten and soy will also be made easier with this.

Additionally, the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) recognized laboratory has checked the device.

“Analysing samples with the machine developed, CSIR-IITR has detected contamination or mixing in meat products and the authenticity of four meat species. This helps us to find if the sample is mixed with undesired meat components,” said a scientist from CSIR-IITR.

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