PESTICIDE RESIDUE & FOOD QUALITY ANALYSIS LABORATORY

Establishment:

Indiscriminate usage of pesticides has resulted in environmental pollution and pest resurgence. Due to the non-biodegradable nature of some of the pesticides, pesticide residues are biomagnified through the food chain resulting in deleterious effects on human health. Pesticide residues in agricultural commodities exceeding the MRL levels fixed by the PFA and Codex will also adversely affect the exportation of agricultural products. In this context, Pesticide Residue Testing and Quality Analysis Laboratory (PRT&QAL) was therefore established at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad with funding under ASIDE (Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure) scheme of Government of India with following objectives:

Objectives of the laboratory:

• To analyze the pesticide residues in horticultural, commercial field crops and vegetables.
• To perform quality analysis in food products and water samples.
• To impart training to the farmers on the safe use of pesticides in different crops.
• To advise consumer, farmers and traders on their safety levels for internal consumption, export and environmental effects.
• To have capacity building for teachers, students, farmers and traders on residues and their impact through both formal / informal training programmes.
• To create awareness and to give wide propaganda about the ill effects of the residues and export potential

Scientific equipments available at the laboratory:

Major equipments such as Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), UV visible spectrophotometer, Laminar air flow chamber, Fat and fiber analyzers, Muffle furnace, Refrigerated table top centrifuge, Bacteriological incubator etc. and minor equipments like analytical balance, pH meter, refrigerators, sonicator, mixer grinder, water distillation unit, hot air oven, magnetic stirrer, vertex, etc. are available at the laboratory.

Accomplishments:

• More than 1000 samples of various vegetable crops, more than 400 fruit samples of different fruits and more than 150 soil samples were tested for pesticide residue and quality.
• Farmers, traders, employers and researchers were benefitted from the tested models.
• Continuous information about the utility of the laboratory is being provided to the UASD staff and to the undergraduate and post graduate students.
• Farmers, common men, traders and researchers were trained about the quality of analysed samples.
• Various pesticides detected in fruits, vegetables and crop samples above the MRL levels and the farmers were educated on the hazardous effects of the same on human health.

For details contact:

Dr. C. P. Mallapur,

Professor (Entomology) and Head,

University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad

E-mail: mallapurcp@uasd.in

Phone: 0836-2214275; Cell: 9449031351