A PROTOTYPE DNA BIOSENSOR-GIS PLATFORM FOR DETECTING BIOCIDE-RESISTANT OIL PALM PESTS: TOWARD SMART AGROINDUSTRY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Nurul Izzaty Hassan (*), Lee Yook Heng (a), Gan Kok Beng (b), Aida Soraya Shamsuddin (c) & Noorrezam Yusop (d)
a) Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science & Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
b) Department of Electrical, Electronic & Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia.
c) Southeast Asia Disaster Prevention Research Initiative, Institute for Environment and Development, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia.
d) Department of Software Engineering, Faculty of Information & Communication Technology, Technical University of Malaysia Melaka, Malaysia
*Email: drizz[at]ukm.edu.my
Abstract
The growing threat of biocide-resistant pests such as Tirathaba mundella, a moth species affecting oil palm crops in Malaysia, presents a critical challenge to sustainable agriculture in the region. In response, this study introduces a prototype platform that integrates a DNA-based electrochemical biosensor with GIS mapping to detect resistance against Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a commonly applied biopesticide. The biosensor utilizing Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV targeted cadherin gene mutations in field-collected larvae from Sri Aman, Sarawak, Malaysia with validation via PCR. GIS-based spatial mapping of infestation zones over a four-year period provided early insights into resistance distribution patterns across the plantation. While still in its developmental stage, this system demonstrates the potential of combining molecular diagnostics and geospatial tools to lay the groundwork for future precision pest management in tropical agroecosystems. Beyond Malaysia, this innovation may be extended to other major oil palm-producing countries such as Indonesia, where similar pest challenges exist. By enabling early detection and zone-specific decision-making, the platform offers a pathway to reduce overreliance on chemical inputs and supports the ICGAB 2025 vision for a smart, integrated, and sustainable bioeconomy.
