PADANG — Students from Diponegoro University (UNDIP) have once again proven their excellence at the national level. At the Pekan Ilmiah Andalas (PIA) 2025 event, held on May 11-12, 2025, organized by Andalas University in Padang, West Sumatra, a team from the Chemical Engineering Technology Study Program (TRKI) at UNDIP won two prestigious awards: the Gold Medal in the Energy & Environment category and the Best Presentation Award.
The four team members—Sigit Pramana (leader), Maya Qisthina Gaissani, Mochammad Wibisono Faizun S, and Aisha Adinda Satyarani—presented an innovation using Chlorella vulgaris, a type of microalgae, to develop environmentally friendly edible films as an alternative solution for sustainable packaging.
Local Microalgae for a Cleaner Environmental Future
In their scientific work, the team proposed using Chlorella vulgaris, a microalga rich in bioactive compounds, as the main component for biodegradable packaging. This microalga produces substances like polysaccharides, proteins, and natural antioxidants, making it a functional material for edible film formulations.
By combining Chlorella vulgaris with a substrate made from organic waste—specifically nata from tofu wastewater—the UNDIP TRKI team created a thin, biopolymer-based packaging that is not only biodegradable but also has the potential to act as an active packaging material to extend the shelf life of food products through its antimicrobial activity. “Chlorella vulgaris has tremendous potential as a natural biomaterial. We see that this microalga has not been fully utilized in Indonesia, despite its nutritional value and beneficial bioactive compounds,” explained Maya, the team leader.
Academic Support and Student Research Collaboration
This innovation resulted from the intensive collaboration of TRKI students at UNDIP, guided by their main advisor, Yusuf Ma’Rifat Fajar Azis, S.T., M.T. The team also received full support from the Head of the TRKI Study Program, Mohamad Endy Julianto, S.T., M.T., who encouraged students to actively participate in national scientific competitions to enhance their creativity and applied research skills.
“For us, this is not just a competition. It’s a way for vocational students to contribute to global environmental challenges. We’re grateful for the guidance from our advisor and the support from the study program,” said Sigit Pramana, a team member.
Pekan Ilmiah Andalas 2025: A Prestigious Event for Young Indonesian Researchers
PIA 2025 is an annual national event that brings together students from various universities to compete in scientific works, technological innovations, and research presentations. This year, the competition focused on the theme “Green Innovation and Sustainable Solutions for Indonesia’s Future”, aligning with the goals of sustainable development and Indonesia’s Vision 2045.
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