Made in Rajasthan, device to detect adulteration in milk in 60 seconds
JAIPUR : A government-run research body in Rajasthan has developed a hand-held meter for detection of adulteration in milk.
The research body will soon transfer the technology to manufacturers for commercial production.
President Ram Nath Kovind dedicated the technology to nation on September 26 on the foundation day celebration of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Delhi.
Scientists at Pilani-based Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), which is governed by the CSIR, said the device will detect adulterants such as urea, salt, detergents, boric acid and caustic soda in 60 seconds.
According to Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation (RCDF), state’s milk processing and packaging body, the state produces 45 million kilogram milk every day. Forty percent of this is cow milk. Of the total production, 22.7 million is sold through dairies and vendors. Dairy farmers keep the remaining for their personal use or local sale.
The portable device can be used by domestic users and enforcement agencies.
Dr PC Panchariya of CEERI said for testing adulteration, one needs to take 3ml of milk, add 10ml of water to it and use a biochemical capsule in the solution. Leave it for one minute. After a minute, lower the probe attached to the meter into the solution, press OK button on it, and see the screen. It will detect any adulteration in the milk.
Experts say urea, detergent and shampoo are used to make synthetic milk, which is extremely harmful to human digestive system. Caustic soda is added to milk to increase its shelf life without refrigeration, and starch is added to perk up fat value.
Panchariya added that the production cost of the device is ₹5,000 but during the commercial production, volume will bring the cost down.
The device will come with a container for testing, he said. “We earlier developed a portable scanner for industrial use. The device is being used by more than 400 dairies across the country,” he added.
Rajasthan Electronics & Instruments Limited (REIL), a Jaipur-based public sector enterprise, is commercially producing the scanner, which is sold for ₹100,000.