Virtual Booth

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a leading cause of lower-limb amputation, with the large majority of diabetes-related amputations preceded by an ulcer. Conventional dressings are passive and cannot signal early infection, while commercial smart dressings, costing approximately RM200-500 per unit, remain out of reach for rural and low-income patients. Delayed diagnosis also prolongs empirical antibiotic use, accelerating antimicrobial resistance. This project presents ChromaGuard, a low-cost, biodegradable smart dressing for visual infection monitoring in resource-limited tropical settings. It combines a seaweed-based hydrogel matrix with anthocyanin pigments extracted from Clitoria ternatea (bunga telang) to form a colorimetric patch. As wound pH rises from healthy levels (4.5-6) to infected levels (7-9), the patch shifts from purple-blue to green-yellow, allowing caregivers to assess wound status without removing the dressing, using external power, or needing specialised training. Aligned with UN SDGs 3, 9, and 12, the prototype has a material cost of approximately RM0.80 per unit, offering an affordable tool to support earlier intervention and help reduce preventable amputations.