NUR 'ALYA KHAIRINA BINTI MUHAMAD ROZI SMK DATO' AHMAD MAHER
The NPD Strip (Natural Preservative Detector) is an innovative product developed to detect the presence of artificial preservatives in food using natural and environmentally friendly materials. This innovation was inspired by increasing concerns regarding the excessive use of synthetic preservatives in processed food, which may pose health risks to consumers if taken continuously over a long period. The NPD Strip utilizes natural extracts from turmeric and purple cabbage as the main detecting agents due to their ability to react to chemical substances through visible colour changes. The preparation process involves soaking filter paper in the natural extracts before drying them to produce ready-to-use detection strips. During testing, food samples are dropped onto the strips and observations are made based on the resulting colour reactions. The findings of the study indicate that food containing artificial preservatives produces noticeable colour changes, allowing users to identify the presence of harmful additives quickly and effectively. This innovation is simple, affordable, portable, and safe for users of all ages. In addition, the NPD Strip is eco-friendly because it uses biodegradable natural ingredients instead of synthetic chemicals. The innovation has great potential to be applied as a food safety education kit in schools and communities to increase awareness about healthy and safe food consumption practices.