Feasibility of Using Electronic Rapid Testing Kits for Improved Monitoring of Salt Processors.
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Date
2015
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Abstract
Objectives: Quality control is a process to detect and correct production default from specified standards during actual processing. In salt iodization units, iodized salt samples are collected and tested through iodometric titration, in a laboratory attached to the production unit. Small and medium-scale producers do not have these adjacent laboratories. The time-lag between sample collection, testing, and incorporation of corrective guidance increases the risk of producing non-standard iodized salt. The objective of this study was to assess real-world accuracy of a recently developed electronic Rapid Testing kit (eRTK, Innovative design) as a more rapid method of controlling iodine levels in salt, particularly in small-scale production sites.
Methods: 3198 iodized field salt samples were tested using 15 eRTKs, in accordance to the standard operating protocol of the instrument and compared with results from standard iodometric titration. Sample types included free flow salt, washed and crushed salt, crushed salt and crystal salt from eight different geographical areas, representing each type of salt produced in India.
Results: The instrument is accurate to ±3 ppm in salt iodization between 15 – 55 ppm. Results from the study report a sensitivity of 76.3%, specificity of 81.9%, positive predictive value of 79.5% and negative predictive value 79%. The cost of testing iodized salt samples using eRTK is 25% of that of iodometric titration.
Conclusions: eRTK was found to be a rapid, accurate and portable alternative to titration testing that is suitable for salt traders, retailers and enforcement agencies to ensure the iodization levels of salt.
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Jha Ranjan Kumar, Dey Suvabrata, Mannar Venkatesh. Feasibility of Using Electronic Rapid Testing Kits for Improved Monitoring of Salt Processors. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety. 2015 Special issue; 5(5): 499-500.