IIT-BHU researchers develop portable sensor for enrofloxacin detection in food; aim to curb antibiotic contamination

VARANASI: In a breakthrough for food and environmental safety, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, developed a state-of-the-art dual-mode electrochemical sensing platform for the rapid extraction and detection of Enrofloxacin—an antibiotic widely used in the livestock industry.

This innovative sensor integrates magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) with electrochemical detection techniques, offering a cost-effective, portable, and highly sensitive solution for real-time monitoring of antibiotic residues in food.The research team, led by Pranjal Chandra, includes Supratim Mahapatra, Ankur Singh, and Ratul Paul. Their work was recently published in the prestigious journal Small, and a patent was also filed for the technology.Enrofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is commonly used in veterinary medicine across India. However, its overuse raised serious public health concerns. The World Health Organization (WHO) identified antibiotic resistance, especially to drugs like Enrofloxacin, as a major threat to global health. Residual traces of the antibiotic in food products such as milk and meat can lead to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making bacterial infections harder to treat in humans.

Despite international regulations such as the European Union’s maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Enrofloxacin in food, current detection methods remain complex, expensive, and impractical for field use. The IIT(BHU) innovation directly addresses these gaps.The newly developed sensor offers dual-mode detection capability (magnetic extraction + electrochemical quantification), a wide detection range from 100 picomolar (pM) to 10 millimolar (mM), an ultra-low limit of detection (LOD) of 161 femtomolar (fM), minimal sample preparation, real-time analysis, and high portability for field deployment in rural and resource-constrained areas."This technology not only enhances the precision of food safety monitoring but also aligns with national missions such as Make in India and Start-up India," said Prof. Amit Patra, Director, IIT(BHU). "Dr. Chandra and his team took a significant step toward solving real-world challenges related to antimicrobial resistance and food contamination. Their innovation reflects the power of indigenous research and technological excellence." The device is expected to have broader applications in pharmaceutical screening, clinical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring, contributing significantly to global efforts to ensure food safety and public health.