[Surabaya, May 26, 2026 — Ensuring the halal status of food is now becoming easier. A research team from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has developed an innovation in the form of a portable strip test kit to detect pork oil content in food. The device is designed to make the testing process more practical, faster, and more economical, without always relying on complex laboratory testing.
This innovation was developed by Dr. rer. nat. Ruri Agung Wahyuono, S.T., M.T., a lecturer at the Department of Engineering Physics ITS, together with a team of researchers and students. The development of this device also involved researchers from the ITS Halal Study Center, including Prof. Agus Muhamad Hatta, S.T., M.Si., Ph.D.
Unlike detection methods that generally require laboratory equipment, this strip test kit works based on a color-change principle using nanomaterials. Its operation is designed to be simple, similar to a pH test strip for water. When the reagent on the strip reacts with the targeted oil content, a color change appears and can be observed visually.
Dr. Ruri explained that his team conducted a series of experiments to obtain a reagent formula that is sensitive to pork oil content in food. Through an optical detection approach, or color-change signal, this device is expected to become a practical solution for people who want to ensure the safety and halal status of food, especially in places where laboratory testing services are difficult to access.
This innovation is highly relevant for Muslim communities, particularly Muslim travelers who often face uncertainty about food ingredients when visiting countries or regions with non-Muslim-majority populations. In addition, the device also has the potential to help the wider community ensure food consumption safety, including food products from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The ITS research team does not plan to stop at detecting pork oil. They also aim to develop similar technology to detect allergenic substances. Using the same colorimetric method, future development will adjust the reagent and catalyst formulas so the device can be used for various other detection targets.
Going forward, Dr. Ruri and his team are committed to promoting the independent production of both the materials and the detection device. This step is expected to strengthen the entrepreneurial university ecosystem at ITS while reducing dependence on external products. Once ready for the market, the pork oil detection strip is estimated to cost around IDR 10,000 per strip for a single test, with the potential to become even more affordable if produced on a larger scale.
Through this innovation, ITS once again demonstrates its role in delivering technology that is closely connected to community needs. This pork oil detection strip test kit not only supports a halal lifestyle, but also strengthens efforts to improve food safety, consumer protection, and the development of accessible applied technology.
This innovation is also aligned with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 4 on Quality Education, and Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
[Surabaya, May 26, 2026 — Ensuring the halal status of food is now becoming easier. A research team from
Surabaya, 20 May 2026 — Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) welcomed a visit from the National Committee for Sharia
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