A number of lecturers from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Monday (07/22/2024) provided training in making environmentally friendly natural cleaning products made from organic waste to farmer groups in Nusa Penida Bali. This training is part of the 2024 Community Service activities funded by Universitas Brawijaya.
The team of lecturers consists of Dr. Moh. Farid Rahman, S.Si., M.Si., Siti Mariyah Ulfa, S.Si., M.Sc., Dr.Sc., Dr. Rurini Retnowati, M.Sc., and Drs. Suratmo, M.Sc, assisted by Widji Sulistijo, PLP Organic Chemistry Laboratory. This training activity was held at the Bukit Keker Learning House in Ped Village, Nusa Penida, in collaboration between the Department of Chemistry and the Taksu Tridatu Foundation in Nusa Penida, which is involved in developing sustainable agricultural, livestock, and renewable energy models to support the lives of the Nusa Penida community to be more independent.
According to the team leader, Dr. Moh. Farid Rahman, S.Si., M.Si., it is time for community empowerment to be carried out optimally by introducing and training them to master appropriate technology with a strong scientific foundation so that they can become an independent and productive socio-economic force. One form of this simple technology is managing and transforming organic waste that is abundantly available every day as waste in the community, such as leftover fruit peels and vegetable scraps, into useful materials that have added value. The transformation of this waste material is carried out by utilizing enzymatic reactions through the performance of microorganisms so that the process becomes cheaper and even costs nothing. The results of this process can be used directly as a natural cleaner (without the addition of chemicals) which can be used for various community needs. The residual pulp material from the process can also be used as organic fertilizer that can be applied directly to plants in farmers’ fields so that the process also carries the zero-waste concept.
In the training, participants who mostly work as farmers received an explanation of the manufacturing method and benefits of the natural cleaning materials produced, as well as carrying out direct practice using organic waste materials from their respective homes.
The team of lecturers also explained that the natural cleaning products produced have high efficacy because they contain important and useful compounds.
The results of the examination using GC-MS and LC-HRMS on the content of important compounds in the natural cleaning materials produced by fermentation include terpineol, 4-terpineol, cis-terpine, thymol, and various flavonoid and alkaloid structures such as tetramethoxyflavone and sinensetin which act as active compounds. Participants understood and were very enthusiastic about participating in the activity, among other things because the materials used were quite simple and cheap, the method was easy to do and the products had many direct benefits for their daily needs.
In addition to the farming community, this training was also attended by teachers and students of Nusa Penida 1 Senior High School who attended in order to learn and gain reinforcement of the scientific concepts taught in schools, one of which is implemented in the process of making natural cleaning products. In addition, this training activity also encourages schools to implement the concept of sustainability in teaching materials in schools.
Thus, students also understand the importance of low-emission processes in order to reduce global warming and maintain the sustainability of their respective environments so that this community service activity directly disseminates the Universitas Brawijaya program that participates in the issue of global sustainability. (*/OKY/UB PR/ Trans. Iir).
