Overview

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has launched FluoriPCR, a compact, affordable device poised to transform testing in health diagnostics and food safety. Developed by CSIR’s Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR) and Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), FluoriPCR combines four essential testing tools in a portable format and costs just ₹1-1.5 lakh—far less than traditional equipment priced around ₹35 lakh.

What Makes FluoriPCR Valuable?

FluoriPCR’s low cost and small size bring advanced diagnostics within reach of labs, research institutions, and communities that need affordable solutions.

Key Applications:

• Meat Authentication: Identifies meat species and unwanted mixtures, boosting transparency in food production.
• Food Fraud Detection: Detects DNA-based fraud in items like wheat and pulses.
• Pathogen Screening: Identifies bacteria, viruses, fungi, and allergens, such as gluten and soy.

FluoriPCR’s precise detection capabilities enhance food safety and build consumer trust.

Tested and Reliable

NABL-certified labs have validated FluoriPCR’s accuracy. According to Dr Bhaskar Narayan, Director of CSIR-IITR, the device is a result of CSIR’s “Advancing Technological Leads for Assuring Safety of Food” (ATLAS) project, offering a versatile solution for food safety and diagnostics.

Advantages:

• Portable: Lightweight for easy use in remote labs or on-site.
• Customizable: Adapts to specific testing needs in diagnostics and quality control.
• Affordable: Its low cost enables wider access to advanced diagnostics.

Industry and Research Potential

FluoriPCR opens new avenues for food safety and health diagnostics across industries, research, and training facilities. CSIR offers licensing for institutions interested in adopting this technology.

Conclusion

With its affordability, portability, and adaptability, FluoriPCR is set to make diagnostics more accessible and effective. It exemplifies how innovation can address real-world challenges in food and health safety, making high-quality testing practical and widespread.