UNS — The Democracy and National Resilience Study Center (Pusdemtanas), Institute for Research and Community Engagement (LPPM), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta organize a virtual Focus Group Discussion (FGD) entitled ‘Formulation of Eucalyptus and Quinine as Drug Ingredients for Covid-19 Inhibitor to Realize Health Resilience,’ Tuesday (29/12/2020). The FGD invites experts from UNS and external institution, among others are Prof. Dr. Jamal Wiwoho, S.H., M.Hum., (the Rector of UNS), Dr. Arief Budi Witarto, M.Eng, (Expert in Medicinal Biotechnologist from the Faculty of Military Medical Studies in Universitas Pertahanan), Dr. Sunny Ummul Firdaus, S.H., M.H., (Chair of Pusdemtanas UNS), Dr. rer. nat Saptono Hadi, S.Si., Apt., (UNS Pharmaceutist), Dr. Ahmad Pramono, S.Pt., M.P., (UNS Biochemist), Dr. Marimin, M.Si., (UNS Forestry Expert), and Dr. Sc. Agr Rahayu, S.P., M.P., (UNS Herbalist).
Dr. Sunny states that hopefully, the FGD involving experts from across scientific interest can bring useful outcomes, which leads to innovation to inhibit Covid-19 spread as well as to utilize the UNS Bromo Forest Area with Special Purposes (KHDTK).
According to Dr. Rahayu, the designated agricultural land in Bromo KHDTK Forest for eucalyptus and quinine cultivation can get further development to deliver a Covid-19 inhibitor ingredient. The ingredients can be obtained from eucalyptus and quinine through a distillation technique.
Meanwhile, the Rector of UNS, Prof. Jamal, mentioned that the development of eucalyptus and quinine plants in UNS Bromo KHDTK Forest is in line with the UNS Institution and Development Roadmap and Main Research Plan (RIP) for 2012-2015. “The RIP for Research in UNS aims to organize research and development that fully based on the indicator of the world-class modern university, which consists of high-quality publication, the number of patent registration and other intellectual properties, as well as technology products and/or knowledge for community engagement service,” he added.
On this occasion, Dr. Arief from Universitas Pertahanan delivers an input in terms of utilizing the Bromo KHDTK Forest. Aside from eucalyptus and quinine, the agricultural land can be used for the cultivation of Artemisia Annua, which is one of malaria medicine, but currently also have an effect in curing Covid-19. “Currently the Ministry of Defense is cultivating this plant,” Dr. Arief states. Humas UNS
Reporter: Dwi Hastuti
