UNS — The Community Service Team under the Community Partnership Program (PKM) D3 Pharmacy Study Program at Vocational School (SV) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta had developed a non-alcoholic hand sanitizer gel using citronella oil. In the development of this hand sanitizer, the Community Service Team under the PKM scheme of the D3 Pharmacy Study Program SV UNS collaborated with Surya Wulan Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kulonprogo Regency.
The PKM TEAM led by apt. Dian Eka Ermawati, M.Sc. consists of M. Fiqri Zulpadly MH., M.Biomed., and M. Nur Dewi Kartikasari, S.S.T., M.Kes. apt. Dian Eka Ermawati, M.Sc. said that the collaboration with Surya Wulan MSMEs in Kulonprogo Regency began in 2021. “In the first year, the collaboration focused on developing citronella oil as an active ingredient for hand sanitizer spray and handwash formulations to diversify essential oil products into Household Hygiene Supplies products (PKRT) during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, the collaboration continued by partnering with an industrial partner, PT Kymmoshi Global Indonesia, located in Sukoharjo, Central Java. PT Kymmoshi is a PKRT industry involved in cleanliness-related products such as humidifiers, wound care, pet care, animal cleaning solutions, and others. The aim of partnering with the industry was to assist the MSME partners in obtaining PKRT market authorization for their handwash products,” apt. Dian explained, Monday (17/7/2023).
In 2023, the Community Service Team under the PKM scheme of the D3 Pharmacy Study Program SV UNS assisted in diversifying MSME’s citronella oil into a non-alcohol hand sanitizer gel. The gelling agent is an important component in gel formulations for topical applications. The industrial partner in this activity served as a support material provider, assisting in the procurement of gel polymers that are compatible with both water-soluble and oil-soluble active ingredients, thereby reducing the use of alcohol as a solvent. The citronella oil produced by Surya Wulan MSMEs has been tested to have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, categorized as strong against bacteria such as Streptococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella sp. It is also effective against the Candida albicans fungus, equivalent to antibiotics.
“The knowledge transfer provided and the three-year-long mentoring are expected to provide skills in developing the MSMEs’ businesses in processing essential oils into products with greater benefits and economic value,” apt. Diana said.
After obtaining product market authorization, the next step is to pursue halal certification to gain consumer trust. “The process of halal certification is currently in progress, as we are completing the necessary documents,” she added.
The Community Service Team under the PKM scheme of the D-3 Pharmacy Study Program SV UNS hopes that a harmonious relationship between the world of higher education, the business sector and the industrial sector (DUDI), also the community can be established more closely. Humas UNS