To enhance the development of the nation's biomedical industry, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs have jointly proposed the Taiwan Precision Health Industry Development Program. The program will promote the precision health industry chain across ministries to build up Taiwan's bio- and medical technology industry so that it is in step with the rest of the world. Taiwan Instrument Research Institute (TIRI) of NARLabs, under MOST, has assisted a team led by Professor Wen-Shiang Chen of National Taiwan University and Professor Chun-Yu Chuang of National Tsing Hua University in developing innovative technology for smart agriculture using fluorescence imaging technology. Their efforts resulted in the development of the Extraction-Free Rapid Pesticide Residue Detection System. The system, which combines the disciplines of preventive medicine and precision agriculture, won the Research Innovation prize at the 18th National Innovation Awards in 2021.
Pesticides are often used in agricultural practices to control plant diseases and insect pests in order to maintain the quality and yield of crops. In the present market, pesticide residue detection is usually conducted through sampling. After selection and pre-processing by professionals, crop samples are analyzed in a laboratory using a specialized mass spectrometer to determine whether pesticide residues are present. However, this method damages the crops themselves, and detection cannot be completed immediately.
TIRI has long collaborated with Professor Wen-Shiang Chen of the National Taiwan University School of Medicine, together developing a mobile in vivo fluorescence imaging system (MOVIS) in 2015. MOVIS uses advanced optical instrumentation to locate hidden fluorescence in small animals, allowing for more efficient animal experimentation and reducing the loss of animal life. After finalizing the fluorescence imaging system, TIRI and Professor Chen extended the technology to pesticide detection, collaborating with Professor Chun-Yu Chuang's team from the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences at National Tsing Hua University to develop the Extraction-Free Rapid Pesticide Residue Detection System.
This fluorescence imaging system can detect excessive levels of pesticide within only 30 seconds. By comparing data with pesticide information from an extensive database, multiple samples can be analyzed in a large area at the same time without the need for tedious extraction procedures done by professionals, and deviations from single sampling are prevented. In addition to helping relevant organizations test for pesticide residues, the system can also be used by farmers to assess whether their crops are ready to be harvested. For its substantial contribution to food safety, the Extraction-Free Rapid Pesticide Residue Detection System was awarded the Research Innovation prize at the 18th National Innovation Awards in 2021.
