Kebondalem Village, Pemalang Regency — As part of efforts to raise public awareness about the importance of cleanliness and health, students from the KKN-T Team 163 of Diponegoro University conducted a socialization and training session on the production of natural hand sanitizer made from lemongrass extract. The activity was carried out in collaboration with the women of the Family Empowerment and Welfare Association (PKK) RT 04 RW 03 of Kebondalem Village, Pemalang Regency, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the home of Mrs. Mulyati, with enthusiastic residents attending to hear the presentation on the benefits of lemongrass.
The program was initiated by Neza Nur Rahayu, a student in the Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology Department, Vocational School Faculty, with field supervisor Sri Risdhiyanti Nuswantari, S.Tr.T., M.T., and academic support from Dr. Ir. Fahmi Arifan, S.T., M.Eng., M.M., IPM., ASEAN Eng. Lemongrass was chosen as the main ingredient because it contains citral and geraniol compounds, which have proven antibacterial activity and provide a fresh aroma. Additionally, the use of lemongrass aims to reduce the reliance on synthetic chemicals in hand sanitizer products, making them safer for the skin and supporting environmental sustainability concepts.
The formulation process for lemongrass-based hand sanitizer is simple yet highly effective. The process begins by thoroughly washing five fresh lemongrass stalks, then cutting them into small pieces to facilitate the extraction of their active compounds. The lemongrass pieces are boiled in one liter of water for 30–45 minutes, until the characteristic lemongrass aroma emerges as a sign of the release of natural antibacterial essential oils. After that, the boiled water is filtered to separate the residue, then cooled until ready for use. The clear, fresh-scented liquid is then packaged into hygienic spray bottles, making it a safe, practical, and environmentally friendly natural hand sanitizer.
This outreach activity provided a valuable experience for the women of PKK RT 04 RW 03. They realized that lemongrass, which had previously been known only as a kitchen spice, could actually be processed into a beneficial health product. With a simple and easy-to-practice method, the community now has an alternative natural antiseptic without additional chemicals. Beyond just maintaining hand hygiene, this innovation is expected to open opportunities for home-based businesses using local materials that are economically valuable while supporting the movement toward healthy and environmentally friendly living.
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