ITB Electrical Engineering Students Develop PathoKit, a Device to Detect Pathogenic Bacteria in Milk
By Bintang Prasetya Fernandika - Mahasiswa Teknik Metalurgi, 2022
Editor Anggun Nindita
The PathoKit team during Electrical Engineering Days 2025 at East Hall, ITB Ganesha Campus on Wednesday (June 25, 2025). (Photo by Bintang Prasetya Fernandika)
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – A dozen innovative final-year projects by students of the Electrical Engineering program at ITB were showcased during the Electrical Engineering Days event at the East Hall of ITB’s Ganesha Campus on Wednesday (June 25, 2025). Held annually by the Electrical Engineering program, the event aims to highlight graduates who excel not only in knowledge and skills but also in teamwork.
One standout project was PathoKit, a device designed to detect pathogenic bacteria in milk, ensuring its safety before consumption. The tool was developed by a team consisting of Nafa Lutfia Atihrah Chandra, Tjhan, Kevin Reagen Sugiarto, and Yohanes Ari Putra Pandapotan (Electrical Engineering, 2021).
PathoKit works by detecting milk samples dropped onto an electrode and then converting the resulting electrical signals into measurable concentrations of E. coli and Salmonella—two common bacteria responsible for milk-related food poisoning.
Team member Reagen highlighted the tool's affordability compared to existing products on the market. “It’s simple and practical to use, with an estimated testing time of only about 3 minutes,” he said.
Reagen explained that the team was motivated to create PathoKit in response to growing concerns about food poisoning incidents linked to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, which were suspected to be caused by milk contaminated with harmful bacteria.
He emphasized that this device could help ensure the safety of milk sourced from local producers before it is distributed through the MBG program, thus reducing the risk of poisoning from unfit milk.
The team hopes their innovation will be particularly useful for primary and kindergarten school teachers, who could serve as the end users. “I truly believe that this tool can be operated by non-experts, given its relatively simple mechanism,” said Reagen.
Reporter: Bintang Prasetya Fernandika (Metallurgical Engineering, 2022)
