An interdisciplinary and interinstitutional team led by CEDENNA recently won the 2025 ANID Technological Research Competition with an innovative proposal that developed a portable device for detecting pesticides in post-harvest conditions. This technology is key to strengthening the productivity, safety, and sustainability of the Chilean agricultural industry.
The project, funded by ANID through the Fund for the Promotion of Scientific and Technological Development (Fondef), was led by the Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) and brought together the expertise of the University of Santiago, Chile (USACH), Diego Portales University (UDP), Central University (UCEN), and DECCO, a company specializing in fruit and vegetable treatment. At UDP, the initiative received support from the Vice-Rectorate for Research, Innovation, and Creation, through its Directorate of Technological Management.
From CEDENNA, Dr. Álvaro Espejo, a UDP academic and researcher at the Center, led the design and prototyping of the device, while Dr. Dora Altbir, director of CEDENNA, was part of the project's driving team.
The project, titled “Development of a portable device for the detection and identification of pesticides: quality control through the generation of an optical fingerprint” (Fondef ID23I10326), presented its results at a seminar held in the INIA La Platina auditorium, with broad participation from stakeholders in the academic, public, and private sectors.
After two years of work, the team successfully built a prototype unique in Chile, with potential for technology transfer and industrial scaling. Its portability and ease of use will allow for reduced costs, streamlined processes, and improved safety in pesticide residue control, providing a concrete tool to strengthen the traceability and quality of agricultural products.
“The project is fully aligned with CEDENNA’s mission to generate cutting-edge knowledge with real impact in the country,” highlighted Dr. Sebastián Allende, CEDENNA researcher and academic at USACH.
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