UNS — The Faculty Member of Chemical Engineering Program Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta from Research Group Sumber Daya Hayati (Biological Resources), held a community service program through Training for Extraction of Natural Colors and Its Application in Decorative Pudding. The event was joined by the Group of Housewives (Kelompok Ibu-Ibu PKK) RW 4 Karangasem, Gumpang, Kartasura, Sukoharjo on Saturday – Sunday (10-11/10/2020).
The team that consists of Dr. Fadilah, Mujtahid Kaavessina, Ph.D., Dr. Sperisa Distantina, Dr. Dwi Ardiana S, Dr. Endang Kwartiningsih, and Aida Nur Ramadhani, MT assisted by the students of undergraduate and master program in Chemical Engineering FT UNS. Dr. Endang Kwartiningsih stated and the pudding is a source of fiber which is good for health. “Decorative pudding is a unique creation made from pudding to improve its presentation and increase its economic value. The most common creative addition is done by injecting colors to make a three-dimensional decoration. Leaves, flowers, and pistil are the forms of creation that can be added,” Dr. Endang explained in a release on Friday (16/10/2020).
Dr. Endang added that to secure pudding nutritious value, the colorings used are from natural colors that contain nutraceuticals components which is beneficial for health. These components are, among others, anthocyanins, betacyanin, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, and curcumin. The green color in the decorative pudding is created from the extract of suji leaf, pandan leaf, and katuk leaf. Flowers with rich colors will also increase the attractiveness of the pudding, the red color for flower decoration is created from beets and dragon fruits, the orange color is created from kesumba seeds, purple is created from purple sweet potatoes, yellow from turmeric, and blue from telang flower.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the community service program was conducted online. The presentation material and video for extraction of natural colors and its application were shared through WhatsApp group of Ibu-Ibu PKK. This event was expected to improve the comprehension of natural colorings and the skill to create a decorative pudding for Ibu-Ibu PKK. “Hopefully this skill can be used to start a business,” Dr. Endang explained. Humas UNS
Reporter: Zalfaa Azalia Pursita
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
