Researchers at Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU) have developed a biogel called "Unigel" that can be used to detect nitrates in fruits and vegetables, as well as artificial dyes in beverages. "Unigel", made from chitosan biogel (chitosan is an aminosugar obtained from bee chitin), can be used at home.
The initial product was created in collaboration with specialists from the I.Ya. Postovsky Institute of Organic Synthesis. Further development was led by Ekaterina Litvinova, a candidate of biological sciences and an employee of NSTU.
The "Unigel" test for nitrate content works like litmus paper. If fruits and vegetables contain nitrates, the transparent biogel will change color and turn red. If the juice contains dyes, the biogel will absorb the artificial additives, and the drink will become discolored. It is specified that "Unigel" does not react with natural dyes; in this case, the color of the drink will not change.
NSTU scientists plan to create a drug in the future that will minimize the effects of harmful substances on the human body.