Biological gel helps prevent the danger of exposure to pesticides

The topical gel for immediate detoxification for people exposed to pesticides, promises to be soon applied widely, helping to protect the health of more than 260 million Indian farmers and farmers in countries. other.

Detoxification of insecticides on skin

In the process of spraying crops with pesticides, through skin contact and breathing, farmers will be exposed to toxins from pesticides, causing a very serious health hazard.

Exposure to pesticides causes a lot of serious consequences to human health.(Internet photo).

Last year alone, in the Vidarbha area, Maharashtra, India, more than 40 people were killed, 25 were blinded and more than 1,000 were hospitalized due to poisoning when spraying pesticides. This is just one of many evidences showing the danger level of toxic exposure by directly spraying pesticides. However, there is still no technology that effectively detoxifies skin-killing pesticides, protecting farmers' health.

Organic substances containing phosphorus (organophosphate) , a basic component of pesticides, are very easily penetrated by the skin and cause severe neurotoxicity if continuous exposure. When entered into the human body, these substances break the chemical bond between two neurons through inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (blood enzymes and nerve fibers that inhibit nerve stimulation). cognitive disorders, dyspnea, paralysis, muscle fatigue, loss of strength and sometimes death.

Currently, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Stem Cells and Reproductive Health Research (inStem) has developed a polymer in the form of a gel, used by applying it directly on the skin before The farmer went to spray pesticides. Thanks to hydrolysis of neutralizing toxins, this gel helps detoxify insecticides that stick to the skin. This is the study of three Indian researchers: Praveen Kumar Vemula, Ketan Thorat and Sandeep Chandrashekharappa.

Three researchers Praveen Kumar Vemula, Ketan Thorat and Sandeep Chandrashekharappa.(Photo of Thehindubusinessline).

'Poisoning by direct spraying of pesticides greatly affects the health of 263 million Indian farmers. Active nucleophile agents in this skin-based gel will attack pesticide molecules and break down those molecules to turn into nontoxic substances. Pesticides have even been detoxified before being able to cling to the skin of people spraying , 'Mr. Vemula said.

Create start-ups and wide application potential

In preclinical studies, the application of this active gel helped prevent many dangerous symptoms caused by poisoning from pesticides such as muscle paralysis, loss of strength and death.

'The biggest challenge in this study is to create an ideal nucleophile that can rapidly hydrolyze organic and renewable substances to produce catalytic activity, but does not irritate the skin, ' said Sandeep Chandrashekharappa. .

This gel works with most pesticides and fungi, including pesticides that are commonly used in India.

New technology promises to help protect millions of Indian farmers.

Dr. JV Peter, Principal of Christian Medical University, who has treated many patients with pesticide poisoning for more than two decades, said: 'Research results by Mr. Thorat and his colleagues. Achievements on animal samples are very noticeable and consistent with the principles of studying the chemical effects of drugs. However, this study still needs to be evaluated in clinical trials before being widely applied. '

Currently, the research team is in the process of establishing a start-up company, to quickly conduct the first experimental study on humans. This will be a long step toward commercializing this technology with the goal of protecting farmers in India in particular and in developing countries in general.