The Exact Research Student Creativity Program Team, Faculty of Engineering, Semarang State University developed an effervescent alternative containing antioxidants using kencur rice extract. This PKM carries the title “Formulation of Effervescent Nutraceutical Preparations for Rice Kencur Based on Roller Slugging Compaction to Increase Antioxidant Stability”.
The team consisting of Sri Hayati (Chemical Engineering), Yoga Agung Prabowo (Chemical Engineering), Nisrina Hasna’ Nabil (Chemical Engineering), and Adhika Bintang Syahputra (Chemical Engineering), with the support of Prof. Dr. Widi Astuti, S. T., M. T. as accompanying lecturer, has worked hard to produce NUTRACENT. This product aims to be an alternative drink containing high antioxidants which are able to maintain the body’s immunity in the form of effervescent tablets considering that there is no such innovation on the market.
This PKM-RE FT UNNES activity is supported by funding from the Directorate General of Higher Education, Research and Technology, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology. With this funding, the team innovated an alternative effervescent containing antioxidants using kencur rice extract. PKM RE is a pathway for students to understand and apply science and technology according to correct research concepts.
Non-communicable diseases are the cause of 73% of deaths in Indonesia. Health problems include cancer, neurodegenerative, inflammation, hypertension and heart disease which are triggered by oxidative stress due to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Treatment using chemicals has side effects that can affect other body functions and is quite expensive, therefore many people prefer natural treatment. Efforts to prevent ROS or free radicals can be done by consuming natural food sources that contain antioxidants such as galangal.
Galangal (kaempferia galanga L.) is a plant originating from tropical and subtropical areas which is often used as a herbal plant which has many benefits. This plant is included in the Zingiberaceae family which grows abundantly and is important in Indonesia. This plant is used as an ingredient in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines, making perfume, cosmetics, and most famously, it is used as an ingredient in making kencur rice herbal medicine. Compounds found in kencur include starch (4.14%), minerals (13.73%) and essential oils (0.02%) in the form of methyl kanyl acid, and penta decaan, cinnamic acid, borneol, camphene and alkaloids. .
The PKM-RE FT UNNES NUTRACENT team has the aim of extracting kencur rice, getting the high total phenolic and antioxidant content of kencur rice extract to maintain immunity in the body. Analysis of the total phenolic and antioxidant content was tested using the UV-VIS spectrophotometer test method, while analysis of the taste, aroma, shape and color of the product was carried out using the organoleptic test method. After that, determining the best formulation for the total phenolic and antioxidant content in effervescent tablets was determined based on the highest product value.
The PKM-RE FT UNNES NUTRACENT team hopes that the best formulation of kencur rice effervescent tablets which are capable of producing high total phenolic and antioxidant content can be used as an alternative to maintain the body’s immunity. “NUTRACENT : MAKE YOU HEALTHY”
Author: PKM-RE FT UNNES NUTRACENT TEAM
