NanoBax offers a strong competitive advantage by combining portability, ease of use, and high sensitivity in a cost-effective, point-of-care food pathogen detection device. Unlike conventional lab-based methods, NanoBax provides immediate results through a simple four-step process, allowing users to detect harmful bacteria on-site without specialised training or equipment. The device can be customised to detect a wide range of foodborne bacteria, including Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and others, making it highly versatile across different settings such as food outlets, homes, and field inspections. Its accessibility, speed, and flexibility set it apart from existing solutions, offering a practical tool for early prevention of food poisoning and ensuring better public health outcomes.

‍

Food poisoning remains a significant public health issue in Malaysia, with 51 out of every 100,000 Malaysians affected in 2019, and many more cases likely going unreported. Food contamination is the primary cause, yet current detection methods are often slow, complex, or inaccessible for immediate use. There is a clear need for a portable, user-friendly, and rapid testing solution that enables on-the-spot detection of harmful bacteria in food and beverages, helping to prevent foodborne illnesses before they occur.

The solution is NanoBax, a portable, rapid, and sensitive point-of-care detection device designed to identify foodborne pathogens in food and beverage samples. Using a simple four-step process, NanoBax allows users to obtain results immediately on-site, without the need for specialised training or laboratory equipment. The device is easy to use, cost-effective, and highly sensitive, making it suitable for use in various settings such as food outlets, homes, or field inspections. It can be customised to detect a range of bacteria, including Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria, and more, offering a practical and efficient solution to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

‍

The innovation of the NanoBax project lies in its development of a portable, rapid, and highly sensitive point-of-care device for detecting foodborne pathogens. Unlike traditional lab-based testing methods that are time-consuming and require specialised equipment and expertise, NanoBax enables on-the-spot detection through a simple four-step process, delivering immediate results. Its innovative use of carbon sensor strip technology allows for accurate identification of various harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, directly from food or beverage samples. The device is also customisable to detect different bacterial strains as needed. This user-friendly and cost-effective tool makes food safety testing more accessible, efficient, and scalable, marking a significant step forward in preventing foodborne illnesses through real-time, decentralised diagnostics.

‍