Scientists in India have introduced an innovative, low-cost sensor capable of detecting adulteration in fish sold globally. Recently endorsed by India’s Ministry of Science and Technology, this technology is designed to identify the presence of formaldehyde, a substance employed by fish exporters and sellers to prolong the shelf life of their products and enhance their visual appeal to unsuspecting consumers.
Formaldehyde’s use in food is prohibited in numerous countries due to its potential to cause cancer. Despite this, unscrupulous fishmongers and exporters often continue its use, exploiting the gas’s challenging detection, particularly in small quantities.
The newly developed Indian sensor is equipped to identify formalin adulteration in fish at room temperature through a non-invasive method, even after formaldehyde has evaporated, according to the Ministry. This pioneering invention emerged from the Nanomaterials and Nanoelectronics Laboratory at Guwahati University in Assam, spearheaded by Dr. Hemen Kalita, an Assistant Professor of Physics.
Traditionally, the detection of formalin adulteration relied on invasive techniques such as electrochemical or calorimetric sensors. In stark contrast, the Indian sensor offers a non-invasive and cost-effective solution, making it accessible even to small-scale fishmongers. Notably, the device operates at room temperature.
The Indian Ministry expressed optimism, stating that the sensor’s prototype would pave the way for affordable formalin detection devices, significantly impacting public health. This breakthrough in the realm of food adulteration is set to revolutionize the approach to ensuring the integrity of fish products worldwide.
