Journal of Biobased Chemicals

Evaluation of Nutmeg Extract as a Natural Anti-Acne Agent Against P. acnest

2025-05-08T12:19:30+07:00

Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin disorder primarily caused by the proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes. In response to increasing demand for natural and safer therapeutic alternatives, this study investigated the phytochemical composition, total flavonoid content, and antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans flesh. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids—classes of compounds widely recognized for their antimicrobial properties. The total flavonoid content (TFC), determined using the aluminum chloride colorimetric method, was found to be 0.1582 ± 0.0044 mg quercetin equivalents per gram of dry extract. Antibacterial assays using the disc diffusion method demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of both Staphylococcus aureus and P. acnes, with greater efficacy observed against P. acnes. These results suggest that nutmeg flesh extract possesses significant antibacterial potential, particularly as a candidate for anti-acne cosmetic formulations. Moreover, this study highlights the underexplored value of nutmeg flesh—a byproduct of spice processing—as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds for skincare applications.

Mass Transfer Coefficient of Oleoresin Extraction from Peperomia pellucida L. Using Ultrasonic Cleaner

2025-04-29T21:11:17+07:00

Indonesia has a variety of wild plants that are beneficial for health, one of which is Peperomia pellucida L. Several studies have explored the use of Peperomia pellucida for health and cosmetic purposes. This plant can produce oleoresin, a compound obtained through the extraction of plants or materials using solvents. In this research, extraction was carried out using the Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction (UAE) method. The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of varying the mass of Peperomia pellucida and extraction time on the concentration of extracted oleoresin and its mass transfer coefficient. The experiments were conducted using variations in mass and extraction time until equilibrium concentration was reached, with a constant solvent volume. The resulting extract was then analyzed to determine the oleoresin concentration in the solvent under various conditions and to calculate the mass transfer coefficient (K_C) by correlating oleoresin concentration with time. Based on the research that has been done with 200 ml of ethanol, variations in sample weight of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 grams and extraction time to constant concentration showed that the greater the sample mass and the longer the extraction time, the greater the concentration obtained. Additionally, K_C values increased proportionally with sample mass, with the highest K_C value of 4.4265 x 10^-5 g ethanol/min.mm² observed at a sample mass of 4 grams.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Biofilter Columns with Mixed Media for Tofu Liquid Waste Treatment

2025-04-28T12:44:59+07:00

Indonesia's increasing number of tofu industries has led to a rise in waste volume from this sector, requiring exceptional management. Tofu wastewater, a byproduct of tofu production that is no longer utilized, contains a high concentration of organic matter and can adversely affect water supplies if discharged untreated. This study aims to investigate an efficient filtration technique using filtration media for processing tofu wastewater. The biofilter column used in this study was made from a Le Minerale gallon and comprised layers of zeolite, bio balls, bearings, and activated charcoal to filter and purify the water from organic substances. The results showed that while filtration effectively reduced Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) from 995 ppm to 129 ppm after the fourth filtration, it was ineffective in neutralizing the pH of the tofu wastewater, which remained at pH 4 before and after filtration. This indicates that the wastewater remains acidic and cannot be directly discharged into the environment. Additionally, conductivity and salt levels increased after multiple filtrations, possibly due to ion release from the filter materials or saturation effects. This study reveals that the column configuration and filtration materials used were ineffective in removing acidic components from tofu wastewater. Therefore, design adjustments and filtration media selection are needed to achieve better results in treating tofu wastewater.

Design and Optimization of a Modified CoLAR System for Biogas Agroindustry Development: A Case Study at PT. Juang Jaya Abdi Alam, South Lampung Regency

2025-04-29T12:49:39+07:00

One of the government's efforts to achieve national self-sufficiency in beef production is the development of cattle farming. However, while the expansion of cattle farming brings benefits, it also has negative impacts—particularly the improper management of cattle manure waste, which can lead to environmental pollution. This study aims to design and optimize a biogas reactor system based on a Modified Covered Lagoon Anaerobic Reactor (CoLAR) for the development of a biogas agroindustry, offering a solution for processing cattle manure waste through anaerobic biological processes on an industrial scale.

The case study was conducted at PT. Juang Jaya Abdi Alam, South Lampung Regency, which produces approximately 198,000 kg/day of organic waste from 8,500 to 9,500 cattle, most of which has not been utilized optimally. The methods used in this study include observation, expert interviews, surveys, and literature reviews. The reactor type was determined using the Exponential Comparison Method (MPE) based on technical, environmental, and financial aspects.

The designed system consists of a dilution unit, mixing unit, solid-liquid separator, and an anaerobic reactor equipped with an internal mixing system and an HDPE geomembrane cover. The results show that the Modified CoLAR system is the most suitable option, with a total reactor volume of 11,935 m³, biogas production of 1,663.2 m³/day, methane gas volume of 1,092.72 m³/day, and electricity generation potential of 5,135.784 kWh/day.

Manufacture of Nanofibers for Wound Dressing Applications from Sea Cucumber and Curcuma longa, Turmeric sp.

2025-05-07T20:23:35+07:00

The skin is the topmost layer safeguards the body and can be vulnerable to injuries, like cuts. Turmeric and sea cucumber are recognized for their effectiveness in healing wounds The research used natural polymers such as turmeric and sea cucumber, while the synthetic polymer used was polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Electrospinning equipment is used to produce the nanofibres. The variables investigated in this study were the concentrations of PVA, turmeric and sea cucumber. Gamat and curcuma are proven to accelerate wound healing but there is no literature that explains whether they are compatible with PVA in making nanofibres. The nanofibres were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The most optimal nanofiber composition for wound dressing applications is PVA with a concentration of 12%, turmeric 2%, and curcuma 0.5%.