Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Scientist Develops Two-Minute Produce Wash After Five Years
Some fruits and vegetables can have pesticide leftovers on them.
Washing with plain water may remove dirt but not all of these residues.
Dr Asmita Prabhune spent five years creating a product called Sophab.
It uses natural salts and herbal oils.
The team says it can remove up to 99% of pesticide residues in about two minutes.
People dilute it in water, soak their produce, rub it gently, and rinse it.
A 100 ml bottle costs ₹85.
The product is an extra step and does not replace safer farming or food-safety rules.
Pune-based scientist Dr Asmita Prabhune spent five years developing Sophab, an organic produce-wash solution.
Sophab is made with natural salts and herbal oils, according to the article.
The team says it can remove up to 99% of pesticide residues in about two minutes.
Users dilute Sophab, soak produce for two to three minutes, rub it gently, and rinse it with clean water.
A 100 ml bottle costs ₹85, while Prabhune’s team is developing wipes for eating on the go.
- Who
- Pune-based scientist Dr Asmita Prabhune and her team.
- What
- They developed Sophab, an organic solution intended to remove pesticide residues from fruits and vegetables.
- When
- The development took five years; produce is soaked for about two to three minutes during use.
- Where
- The solution is intended for use at home or wherever people wash fresh produce; the scientist is based in Pune.
- Why
- Plain water may remove visible dirt without removing all pesticide residues, prompting the search for an additional washing step.
- Product
- Sophab organic produce-wash solution
- Ingredients
- Natural salts and herbal oils
- Claimed effectiveness
- Up to 99% removal of pesticide residues, according to the team
- Application time
- About two to three minutes of soaking, followed by rubbing and rinsing
- Development period
- Five years
- Price
- ₹85 for 100 ml
- Next development
- Wipes for cleaning fruits and vegetables while eating on the go