Current Context : Scientists at IIT Bombay have developed portable water-pollutant detecting device called ‘AroTrack’.

What is AroTrack?

• AroTrack is a compact, low-cost, and portable device developed by IIT Bombay scientists to detect harmful pollutants in water, particularly aromatic xenobiotics like phenol,benzene, and xylenols.
• Purpose: Detects harmful pollutants in water, such as phenol, benzene, and xylenols.

Technology:

• Utilizes a MopR protein-based biosensor derived from bacteria in polluted environments.
• Measures light intensity changes using an LED-phototransistor assembly.

Performance:

• Detects pollutants at low concentrations (as low as 10 ppb).
• Works efficiently in water temperatures up to 50°C.