Researchers Develop Anti-Insecticide Fabric That Neutralizes Pesticides

July 1, 2024

The Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) in Bengaluru has come up with a revolutionary solution, a fabric that kills insects. Pesticides that are based on organophosphates are neutralized by this cloth. This makes it safer for everyone to use, especially farmers who are often exposed to these chemicals.

Background of the Research

Integrative stem cell researchers first tried to neutralize organophosphate pesticides by making a gel that could be put on the skin and stop these dangerous chemicals from working. The team looked into more realistic options, though, because of problems with consistent use and following the rules. With this new focus, a special cloth was made that is better at solving the same problem.

Scientific Foundation of the Anti-Insecticide Fabric

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an important enzyme for neuromuscular processes that organophosphate-based pesticides stop working. This can have very bad health effects, like suffocation, paralysis, and muscle weakness. A group of scientists lead by Dr. Praveen Kumar Vemula created a fabric that has small molecules on it that can break down pesticides in water before they can hurt the skin. The cellulose in the cotton fabric is covalently linked to these molecules. This makes the fabric not only good at killing pests but also resistant to wear and tear.

Advancements in Fabric Technology

Because the small molecules that stop the pesticides from working are directly attached to the fabric’s threads, the protective properties stay the same through up to 150 wash cycles, this fabric is one of a kind. Because it lasts longer and is easier to use, this new idea, which was created with the help of Sepio Health Pvt Ltd, is a big step up from previous options like the topical gel. This is mostly because users are more likely to stick with it.

Effectiveness and Practical Application

Tests on rats in the lab showed that the fabric did work. Different from rats that were exposed to regular fabric, rats that were protected by the anti-insecticide fabric kept their normal amounts of AChE after being exposed to the pesticide. That the carefully coated fabric protected rats from the harmful effects of the pesticides and saved their lives, as shown by the fact that all the rats that were wearing the fabric survived while those that weren’t didn’t.

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