AroTrack: Affordable Water Pollutant Detection by IIT Bombay Scientists

AroTrack: Affordable Water Pollutant Detection by IIT Bombay Scientists

Sub : Sci

Sec: Msc

Why in News

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have developed a low-cost and portable device called AroTrack. This innovative device can detect harmful water pollutants, including phenol and benzene, offering a breakthrough in environmental monitoring and pollution control.

About AroTrack:

• AroTrack is a portable and cost-effective device designed to detect harmful aromatic pollutants in water, such as phenol, benzene, and xylenols.
• AroTrack employs proteins commonly found in bacteria that survive in heavily polluted environments. These proteins undergo a selective ATP hydrolysis reaction when exposed to aromatic compounds, resulting in a visible colour change in the solution.
• This reaction is detected by the AroTrack device, which utilizes a light-emitting diode (LED)-phototransistor setup to assess changes in the sample’s colour, indicating the presence and concentration of pollutants.
• The key biosensor in the device, called Malate operon Regulator (MopR), was developed from a bacterial strain named Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. It is highly sensitive and can operate effectively in complex environmental conditions.
• Researchers at IIT Bombay have genetically modified the MopR protein to create a range of sensors capable of detecting different aromatic pollutants, including various benzene and xylenol compounds.
• These sensors are fine-tuned for specific molecules through engineered mutations in the protein’s DNA, allowing AroTrack to serve as a versatile tool for monitoring diverse water contaminants.
• The design philosophy of AroTrack focuses on accessibility, using in-house 3D printing to manufacture components and basic electronics to keep costs low.
• AroTrack’s affordability is notable, with a price of around $50 (less than ₹5,000), making it accessible for rural and low-income regions where expensive laboratory tests are impractical.
• AroTrack can detect pollutants in very low concentrations, ranging from 10 to 200 parts per billion, and performs reliably in water temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius.
• It completes tests in under 30 minutes, offering a rapid and efficient solution for water pollution monitoring.
• AroTrack’s battery-operated and portable nature makes it ideal for deployment in remote areas lacking access to sophisticated lab facilities.
• AroTrack is currently at the prototype stage, demonstrating all key functions. However, additional quality checks and trials are necessary before mass production.

About Aromatic Compounds:

• Aromatic compounds are a class of organic molecules characterized by their stability and a ring structure with conjugated double bonds. The most fundamental aromatic compound is benzene, a six-carbon ring with alternating double bonds.

Types of Aromatic Compounds

• Benzene and its Derivatives: Benzene is the simplest aromatic compound. It is a volatile, colourless liquid used as a starting material for other chemicals.
• Derivatives include toluene (methylbenzene), phenol (hydroxybenzene), and aniline (aminobenzene).
• These compounds are employed in the production of plastics, dyes, drugs, and pesticides.
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): PAHs consist of multiple fused aromatic rings without substituents. Examples include naphthalene (two fused benzene rings), anthracene, and benzopyrene.
• PAHs are produced from the incomplete combustion of organic matter, including fossil fuels, wood, and tobacco. They are common in vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, and smoke.
• PAHs are significant air pollutants due to their persistence and potential to cause health issues like respiratory problems and cancer upon long-term exposure.
• Heterocyclic Aromatics: These compounds contain one or more atoms other than carbon (like nitrogen, oxygen, or sulphur) in the aromatic ring. Examples include pyridine (nitrogen-containing), furan (oxygen-containing), and thiophene (sulphur-containing).
• They are important in pharmaceuticals, dyes, and agrochemicals.

Why Aromatic Compounds are Pollutants

• Aromatic compounds, particularly PAHs, are persistent in the environment due to their stability. This makes them accumulate in soil and sediments, leading to long-term contamination.
• Many aromatic compounds are toxic, with some like PAHs being carcinogenic and mutagenic. They pose risks to human health through inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact, especially in urban and industrial areas.
• Aromatic pollutants can affect ecosystems by contaminating water sources and impacting plant and animal life. They also contribute to air pollution and are a component of smog, particularly in urban regions.