This device can quickly detect E. coli bacteria in water!

New Delhi: A new device has been developed by researchers which can help in detecting deadly bacteria in water rapidly.

A team of researchers, including one of Indian origin from York University in Toronto have been successful in developing a device that can dramatically reduce the time and cost required for detecting the deadly E. coli bacteria in drinking water.

Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrohea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and prevention.

"We have developed a hydrogel based rapid E. coli detection system that will turn red when E. coli is present,” said Sushanta Mitra, professor at York University in Toronto.

"It will detect the bacteria right at the water source before people start drinking contaminated water,” Mitra said.

The new technology can cut down the time taken to detect E. coli from a few days to just a couple of hours. 

It is also an inexpensive way to test drinking water (Rs.155 per test estimated), which is a boon for many developing countries, the researchers said.

(With IANS inputs)