Virtual Booth

Food safety is a critical global concern, particularly due to the increasing presence of preservatives, artificial colorants, and potential carcinogenic substances in commonly consumed snack foods and beverages. Many of these harmful additives are often hidden and difficult to detect without advanced laboratory analysis. Existing commercial detection methods typically require expensive equipment, specialized chemicals, and trained personnel, making them inaccessible for routine use by consumers, schools, and small communities. Therefore, there is a growing need for a simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly method to screen food products for potential hazards. Certain plants, including turmeric (Curcuma longa), telang flowers (Clitoria ternatea), and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), contain natural pigments and bioactive compounds that are highly sensitive to chemical changes. These compounds can react with preservatives and artificial food additives, producing visible color changes. This property makes them suitable candidates for the development of natural, plant-based food sensors. The objectives of this project were to develop natural sensors using plant extracts to detect carcinogenic or harmful substances in food, to provide a rapid, inexpensive, and eco-friendly testing method, and to promote food safety awareness through hands-on STEM demonstrations. Plant extracts were prepared using aqueous extraction methods, and filter papers were dyed with the extracts and air-dried to produce sensor strips. The sensor strips were tested on various food samples, including chips, beverages, cakes, and dried foods. Color changes were observed and recorded within 1–5 minutes. The results showed clear and distinguishable color changes in samples containing preservatives or artificial colorants, typically transitioning from blue to purple and red. Foods without harmful additives did not produce noticeable color changes. In conclusion, PHYTO-CHECK is a practical, safe, and environmentally friendly food sensing tool that offers strong potential for STEM education, innovation competitions, and public food safety awareness initiatives.

Key Word: Food safety, natural food sensor, plant extracts, carcinogen detection, colorimetric analysis