Researchers from IIT Kanpur developed easy to use & low-cost E.coli water testing kit

With an aim to detect marker enzymes produced by E.coli bacteria and tackle water contamination, researchers from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have developed a novel E.coli (Escherichia coli) water testing kit. The kit is highly sensitive and can detect the presence of E.coli in drinking water with accuracy.

The new water testing kit is uncomplicated and promises accurate results. Additionally, it is cheaper and has higher technological advantages as compared to other similar category products available in the market. The methodology uses a specific growth medium and detection of marker enzyme produced by E.coli bacteria.

"This E.coli water testing kit will surely be a boon when it comes to tackling water contamination and detecting the presence of E.coli. The low-cost and higher accuracy nature of the product will give it the required advantage over its peers in the market and will be a benchmark for the Make in India initiative," said Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Director, IIT Kanpur.

What is E.coli?

Escherichia coli or E.coli is a rod-shaped, coliform bacteria that is commonly found in warm-blooded organisms. It normally lives in the intestines of humans and animals. Most types of E.coli are harmless but a few can cause severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

As per the officials, the test kit is based on the colour code, under which the colour changes when exposed to biomarkers secreted by E.coli bacteria. Hence, promises high accuracy and is expected to bring a paradigm shift in low-cost E.coli testing methodologies.

The test kit comes with a digital platform to record, interpret and report results to users using a universal platform i.e. EarthFace Flow app. Under the directives of Jal Jeevan mission, the application shares the data with NIC platforms using an intuitive design built on state-of-the-art IT infrastructure. The data from the kits will provide tamper-proof results and will be capable of delivering automated water and program-related reports to its users.

E-commerce platforms and the GeM portal would soon start the sale of the test kits for ₹199 containing a pack of two E.coli water testing kits and a user manual.

For more details, check the press release by IIT Kanpur.