Residues Control by Using Rapid Bioassay of Pesticide Residues (RBPR) for Market Inspection and Farm Education

Abstract

Following the execution of residue control program using housefly bioassay technique during 1964-1987, Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute has renovated and implemented a rapid bioassay method since 1985. The established rapid bioassay of pesticide residues (RBPR) system is aiming at detecting the noxious organ phosphorus, carbamate insecticides as well as ethylene bisdithiocarbamate fungicides using housefly acetylcholinesterase and Bacillus thuringiensis as the probes. Standard assay procedures have been developed to detect the residues on fruits, vegetables, rice, tea, spices, etc., and are able to complete 50 shipments within 4-6 hours. In Taiwan, more than 300 RBPR stations inspect a half million agricultural products annually, and have constructed a residue control system that covers farmer association and farm cooperative in production areas; wholesale markets; food suppliers for military services, school and group lunching; supermarket chain stores; private enterprises, etc. RBPR has also been adopted by the Republic of Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, Panama and many Southeast Asian countries, and 11 international RBPR training workshops were held during 1993-2010. The institute also is responsible for supplying RBPR reagent kits and high quality of housefly acetylcholinesterases to local users and abroad.