Innovations from students can provide solutions to societal challenges and play a role in helping Indonesia become a more advanced nation. A prime example of this is Muhammad Yusuf, a student from the Chemical Engineering Technology Study Program (TRKI) at the Vocational School of Diponegoro University (UNDIP). Yusuf, affectionately called Ucup, has successfully completed his applied bachelor’s degree in TRKI under the guidance of Mohamad Endy Yulianto.
Yusuf shared that through his perseverance and the guidance of his mentor, he was able to achieve a granted patent for his invention titled “Piperine Extraction Process from Java Chili Using Subcritical Water” (Patent No. IDS000006334). This remarkable achievement led Yusuf to secure a position at the prestigious company PT. ESSA Industries Indonesia Tbk, alongside his fellow TRKI students, Muhammad Fikri Arief and Ahmad Walihul Mahali.
Currently, Yusuf is working at PT ESSA Industries Indonesia Tbk in the Ammonia Plant as a Management Trainee (MT). He explained that his research, titled “Extraction of Piperine Compound from Piper Nigrum as Acne Bacterium (Propionibacterium Acnes) Antibacterial Using Hydrothermal Process,” has helped him gain confidence in facing the future. The patent he obtained also played a significant role in helping him land positions in several prominent industries.
The background of this research focuses on Indonesia’s abundant natural resources, which should be developed into high-value products, such as medicinal raw materials. The demand for medicinal raw materials from natural sources is increasing, as many natural products contain bioactive compounds with significant benefits, such as black pepper and Java chili. Up until now, both of these ingredients have been limited to use as cooking additives. Therefore, Yusuf emphasized the importance of utilizing black pepper and Java chili, which contain piperine, for its antibacterial properties to treat acne.
Yusuf also explained various benefits of piperine, including its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-malaria, detoxifying properties, ability to reduce fever, aid in weight loss, and enhance the absorption of certain vitamins. To achieve more efficient extraction results, he proposed the development of a Green Solvent-based extraction method.
One of the extraction methods considered more efficient and effective is subcritical water extraction. The diffusion process of subcritical water in organic matrices shows a significant increase. As the extraction temperature increases, the viscosity of water decreases, and its surface tension drops, resulting in a tenfold increase in water diffusivity, Yusuf explained.
Currently, the research is being continued by younger students, and Yusuf is also exploring collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry to develop standardized herbal nano-piperine medicine in capsule form. The hope is that this product will soon be commercialized, bringing tangible benefits to society, especially to those who are struggling to recover from illness, concluded Yusuf.
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