Packaging is an important factor in supporting the shelf life of a food product, to protect the food from a decrease in quality. Packaging in Indonesia generally uses plastic. Based on data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia produces 17.5 million tons of waste/year in 2023, with the second largest composition of the waste pile being plastic at 18.9%. The use of plastic as a packaging material causes environmental problems since it is difficult to decompose naturally. One effort to reduce plastic waste can be done by replacing environmentally friendly plastic packaging, for example edible film.
Based on this problem, a collaboration between students from the Department of Food Science and Biotechnology and the Department of Agroecotechnology, Universitas Brawijaya, carried out research on the formulation of flavonoids from green tea as antibacterial in potato skin-based edible films, especially the use of green tea extract.
Five students consisting of Celina Lovinri (FTP), Stevanus Prasasta Laksmana (FTP), Laily Putri Agustin (FTP), Deffindra Ahmad Tirtapandu (FP), Hanum Salsa Manurung (FP) under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Widya Dwi Rukmi Putri, STP., MP., developed an innovation in Green Tea Leaf Extract to be tested on Edible Film based on Potato Skin Flour. This research was funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture and UB through the Student Creativity Program in Exact Research in 2024.
“In this research we made edible film by using potato peel flour and using flavonoids from green tea extract as an antibacterial. Furthermore, several tests will be carried out on the effectiveness of flavonoids from green tea extract as antibacterial in edible films,” said Celina.
According to Deffindra, the increasing public interest in potatoes has caused waste from potato peels to also increase. Potato peels also contain many nutrients so they have the potential to be utilized further. One use is to make potato peel flour so it is easier to process.
Meanwhile, choosing green tea as a source of flavonoids is also because it is a commodity that is easy to obtain and has an affordable price. On the other hand, green tea also has a very high flavonoid content compared to other types of tea.
The results of this research showed that flavonoids from green tea extract can be used as antibacterial in potato skin-based edible films. This product is also environmentally friendly because it can be consumed directly. It is hoped that the use of potato peel waste as edible film can be an alternative in reducing the use of plastic packaging in food, as well as being a solution in managing potato peel waste.
“Later, this edible film will be used as primary food packaging which protects the food and can extend its shelf life,” said Stevanus.
Laily, said that this research is currently in the development stage and it is hoped that it can become an environmentally friendly packaging alternative. [UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
