THRISSUR: The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) is planning to set up a research centre for tracking pesticide and antibiotic residues in livestock-based food products. Rs 12.63 crore has been earmarked for this project which will be implemented with NABARD’s support.
Vice-chancellor Prof M R Saseendranath said the centre will be set up at the pharmacology department of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy. The varsity’s management council decided to utilize the fund for setting up a lab and a studycum-training centre, he said.
Dr Nisha, head of the pharmacology department, said the varsity had already completed two projects on monitoring pesticide and antibiotic residues. Trace levels of organochlorine pesticide like endosulfan, DDT and BHC, and residues of antibiotics like tetracycline were observed in biological samples including milk in those projects.
The varsity conducted studies about five years back by collecting biological samples, including milk, collected from cows in Kasaragod, Wayanad and Thrissur . Dr Nisha said the lab will be able to analyze toxic residues and will also track the toxic residues’ impact on animal health. The lab is designed in such a way that once a residue is identified, all toxicological effects will be analyzed both in vitro and vivo. Residue analysis facility will support young entrepreneurs in production and marketing of clean and safe animal products. It will also be useful for farmers.
Prof Saseendranath said UNDP identified KVASU as one of the centres for implementing the prestigious project titled, “Green recovery pathway for India — Transitioning towards a green and resilient Covid-19 recovery”.
