UNS — The Student Creativity Program (PKM) Team in Exact Science Research, Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, with members of Rafifah Fitriastuti from Undergraduate Program in Pharmacy, Firdausi Zainatuf Faradiva from Undergraduate Program in Pharmacy, and Windy Vinata Rahayu from Undergraduate Program in Chemistry, takes on the topic of the utilization of Salak bark as natural antioxidants. Under the supervision of Syaiful Choiri, M.Pharm.Sci., Apt., a lecturer from the Pharmacy Study Program, this team managed to participate in the 33rd National Scientific Week (Pimnas).
The team leader, Rafifah Fitriastuti, states that the source of free radicals commonly found in our surrounding environments such as cigarettes smokes, air pollution, and the increasing ultraviolet rays due to ozone depletion. Moreover, Indonesia’s geographical location around the equator leads to higher ultraviolet rays compared to other countries located far away from the equator. She added that free radical sources can disrupt body cells, which can trigger degenerative illness or even worse, cancer. One of the methods to avoid the adverse effect of the free radical is by consuming anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are known to have various benefits both for health and beauty.
“Initially, we choose Salak (Salacca zalacca) bark due to its abundant numbers in Indonesia. We did literature studies on the previous research and found out that Salak bark can be used as an anti-oxidants source. Our research focus is not limited to anti-oxidants activities but also the utilization of other active substances contained in Salak bark, using nanotechnology to improve its efficacy,” Rafifah explains, Thursday (19/11/2020).
In this virtual research, the PKM Team had examined many scientific articles that lead to a narrative review for 2020 PKM Funding. They that the active substances in Salak bark that can act as anti-oxidants are pterostilbene. This substance has been compared to various other anti-oxidants such as vanillic acid, Trolox, and ascorbic acid. Based on this comparison, pterostilbene has a high potential as an anti-oxidants. Based on this finding, nanotechnology can be used to maintain pterostilbene instability and difficult to dissolve. Through their study, the team finds that the nanoemulsion system is suitable for delivering pterostilbene compounds both orally and percutaneously.
Currently, the PKM Team is preparing for their participation in the 33rd Pimnas 2020 and working hard to deliver the best result. Hopefully, this team can bring home a medal from the 33rd Pimnas for UNS. Humas UNS
Reporter: Dwi Hastuti