Semarang – A team of students from the Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology Program (TRKI) at Diponegoro University’s Vocational School (SV Undip) has made waves by clinching second place and winning the Favorite Business Plan award at the Agricultural Day Competition 2024.
This competition, hosted by the Vocational Student Association (Himavo) of IPB University, celebrated National Farmers’ Day with the theme “Fields of Growth: Encouraging Agricultural Innovation and Sustainability.” The event featured five categories: Infographic Competition, Scientific Paper Competition, Debate Competition, Business Plan Competition, and Creative Video Competition.
Led by Shervaya Latiffa, the team, which includes Nadia Khaliza Putri and Diana Mufiidah, presented their innovative business plan titled Flariso (Flavored Rice Bran Oil). Flariso is a groundbreaking cooking oil made from rice bran, rich in calcium, iron, antioxidants, and vitamins E and K. Shervaya highlighted that this oil not only offers superior nutrition but is also infused with essential oils from garlic, ginger, and black pepper, enhancing its flavor and aroma.
Rice bran, often discarded or used solely as animal feed, is a byproduct of rice milling. “In reality, rice bran is packed with valuable components, including rice bran oil, which has tremendous potential to be transformed into high-value products,” explained Shervaya, the team leader.
Team member Nadia Khaliza Putri elaborated on their innovative approach, which incorporates a subcritical water extractor to streamline the oil extraction process alongside rice milling. “This method prevents the rapid increase of free fatty acids in rice bran post-milling due to the presence of lipase enzymes,” Nadia explained.
Fellow team member Diana further clarified that the lipase enzyme in rice bran post-milling can catalyze the hydrolysis of oil into free fatty acids. This hydrolysis process is undesirable as it negatively impacts oil quality and reduces yield.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Endy Yulianto, the Head of the Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology Program at SV Undip, expressed his pride and gratitude for the achievements of the TRKI students. “Our students have demonstrated excellence and are making a positive impact on the wider community,” Endy stated.
Source : Liputan6.com