Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 2

Camosun College is excited to be announcing that the Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) will be partnering with MB Laboratories Ltd, a full service analytical laboratory located in Sidney, British Columbia, on an Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council's (NSERC) Applied Research Development (ARD) grant. Camosun College offers over 160 degree, diploma and other credential programs to more than 10,000 full-time, and another 3,000 part-time, students in beautiful Victoria, BC. The college has educated and prepared more than 50,000 graduates to excel in the marketplace in its 40-year history, and has an annual local economic impact of $816.6 million. This research project will focus on the design and development of novel methods for pesticide residue testing in fruits and vegetables which will help create a more comprehensive and cost effective test. This will include the following components: 1. An investigation of two extraction procedures which have been reported to be cost effective and simple. 2. An investigation of GC/MS conditions capable of analyzing multiple classes of pesticides and other contaminants. 3. An investigation of the effectiveness of reporting and compound identification software using results taken from analysis using the developed procedure. Therefore, allowing for the detection of a comprehensive list of 926 common organic contaminants including pesticides. This project will provide MB Laboratories with a new pesticide residue testing method which will open new business opportunities. Also, the results of this project will provide local companies and farms with a cost effective testing for pesticides residues in fruits and vegetables. If you are interested in becoming involved in an industry-partnership project contact Jamie VanDenbossche, email:[email protected]