In March 2026, a new research project will commence at the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems (IMC Krems) under the leadership of Anna Malyshenko, PhD, MSc, Senior Lecturer and researcher at the Institute of Applied Chemistry. The project aims to improve the reliable detection of toxic and hormonally active pesticide residues in food and environmental samples – even at very low concentrations. Such substances can adversely affect human health and may also represent a concern in pharmaceutical and medical-product contexts, highlighting the need for reliable analytical detection methods.
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New Research Project Strengthens Food Safety and Supports Health-Related Risk Assessment
More Precise Analytics for Greater Safety
Existing monitoring methods often reach their limits, particularly when analysing complex food matrices. The project therefore focuses on innovative sample-preparation materials enabling selective enrichment of critical substances prior to analysis.
At the core of the research are novel functional sorbent materials, including molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), as well as newly developed nanostructured sorbents designed to enhance selectivity and enrichment efficiency. Acting as selective extraction phases, these sorbents enable targeted enrichment of pesticide residues while reducing interfering matrix components, thereby improving analytical reliability and detection sensitivity. These novel materials are combined with high-resolution analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), allowing even trace levels of problematic substances to be reliably identified within advanced analytical workflows.
“Our aim is to further develop analytical methods so that even the smallest quantities of endocrine-active pesticides can be detected reliably. This creates a scientifically sound basis for improved risk assessment in food and health-related contexts and contributes to the long-term protection of consumers and patients,” explains Anna Malyshenko, project leader at IMC Krems.
Innovation Through Nanostructured Materials
In addition, nanoscale variants of the polymers and other nanostructured materials will be employed as part of newly designed sorbent systems. Their large surface area enhances enrichment efficiency and improves detection sensitivity – particularly for pesticides with endocrine-disrupting effects present at ultra-trace concentrations.
From Method Development to Practical Application
The project expands analytical research at IMC Krems in the fields of food, environmental samples, as well as pharmaceutical and medical products. Building on existing expertise in separation technologies, enantiomeric analysis and sensor development, the team will develop robust, selective and standardisable methods that can ultimately be transferred into routine workflows in analytical laboratories.
Duration and Funding
The project will run from March 2026 to December 2028. It is funded by the Federal State of Lower Austria and co-financed by the European Union under the funding programme “Research for Tomorrow” (funding scheme “Research & Technology Development Quality”).