DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A LOCALLY DERIVED H2S TEST KIT FOR QUICK AND COST-EFFECTIVE WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Abstract

In many low-resource settings, the lack of safe drinking water and the high prevalence of microbial contamination highlight the need for simple and affordable testing approaches. This study focused on the development and evaluation of a hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) test kit produced from locally available materials for the rapid detection of fecal pollution in water. The test media were prepared using yeast extract, beef extract, bile salts, and peptone derived from soybeans. Spectroscopic analysis (FTIR) indicated the presence of key functional groups, including O–H, N–H, and C=O, in the water sources, which are associated with organic compounds that support microbial growth. Elemental analysis (XRF) revealed a relatively high sulfur content (4.128%) in the beef extract, along with essential elements including iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. The test kit demonstrated its effectiveness by forming a black precipitate upon reaction of H₂S with iron. The cost per test was significantly lower than conventional methods, making it suitable for field use. The kit provides a practical and sustainable option for water quality monitoring in underserved areas.