Portable Device Detects Pesticide Residues with Unparalleled Precision

On November 17, 2025, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and Panjab University announced the development of a groundbreaking portable device capable of detecting extremely low concentrations of pesticide residues in water, food, and the environment.

The new 'Smart MDD (Malathion Detection Device)' is an automated, user-friendly system that employs gold nanoparticles and an aptamer molecule engineered to specifically recognize the common pesticide Malathion. When the pesticide is present, the interaction causes a visible color shift from red to blue, which the device's optical system precisely measures. This eliminates the need for manual handling and provides quick, reliable results.

The researchers say this technology can have a significant real-world impact, allowing farmers, food safety agencies, and environmental regulators to rapidly monitor pesticide contamination on-site, whether in irrigation water, produce, or soil. It can also aid in tracking pesticide runoff in water bodies, a major environmental concern. The device has demonstrated a detection limit of about 250 picomolar and correlation with lab spectrophotometer results, metrics rarely seen in portable devices.

Currently tested under laboratory conditions, the 'Smart MDD' is set to undergo validation with real-world samples such as fruits, vegetables, and field water sources. The team plans to extend the platform to detect a broader range of pesticides, further strengthening its role in sustainable agricultural management and environmental monitoring.