The new development quickly finds poisons in fruits even at low concentrations

Scientists from the National Research Nuclear University "MEPhI" (NRNU MEPhI) have created a new method

detection of a dangerous substance in fruit - thiabendazole.

The authors of the new work note that their technology is simple and inexpensive, and also works even at low concentrations of poison.

In Russia and the European Union, thiabendazole is prohibited whenprocessed food, but it can be used in agriculture as a pesticide to protect the plant from pests as well as from rotting. Residues of thiabendazole end up in the environment and then into vegetables and fruits as it is introduced into the soil.

Thiabendazole is toxic to humans.Among the main signs of poisoning: nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, fever. Once in the body, thiabendazole can lead to liver failure, disrupt fetal development in pregnant women, or cause an allergic reaction. The toxic effect of this preservative on living organisms has been recognized as dangerous by the Food and Drug Administration of the European Union and other similar organizations.

Konstantin Katin, Associate Professor, National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (INTEL) 

In the new work, the authors created a speciala solution that interacts effectively with thiabendazole. The authors used a molecular complex based on betaine and pyroslizic acid: it finds thiabendazole in fruits, binds to it and highlights its presence.

This made it possible to find even the smallest doses of a toxic substance (up to 0.1 mg / l) in almost all types of exported fruits, the scientists said.

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