IPB University Students Develop FRESH-UP, an Antibacterial Patch from Rice Bran and Dragon Fruit Waste
IPB University Students Develop FRESH-UP, an Antibacterial Patch from Rice Bran and Dragon Fruit Waste
BOGOR — A Student Creativity Programme (PKM) team at IPB University has developed Astera, a nanoemulsion-based dual spray that protects strawberries from the pre-harvest stage through to post-harvest. The multipurpose product combines lemon essential oil, corn oil, and chitosan derived from shrimp shells to curb the fruit losses that regularly cost farmers.
The idea grew out of the high humidity of highland areas, which leaves strawberries vulnerable to grey mould (Botrytis cinerea). Left untreated, the fungus can destroy up to 89 per cent of a harvest. The difficulty continues after picking: as a non-climacteric fruit, strawberries keep for only one to two days at room temperature.
“Until now farmers have had to buy two separate products — a pesticide for the field and a coating for after harvest — which means two separate applicators. We wanted to simplify that into a single tool.”
— Muh. Dzulfaiq Abrar, PKM Team Leader
One Tool for Two Stages of Protection
Astera comes in a practical format: two 500-millilitre bottles feeding a single nozzle through a selector valve. Users simply slide a lever to switch between the pre-harvest and post-harvest formulas without changing containers.
Key Features and Advantages
- Pre-harvest protection. Prevents grey mould infection, keeping harvest yield and quality closer to optimal.
- Post-harvest coating. Forms an edible coating that slows respiration and extends shelf life during distribution.
- Nanoemulsion technology. Keeps active ingredients evenly dispersed and stable without altering the taste, aroma, or appearance of the fruit.
- Safe and environmentally sound. Uses food-grade materials and makes use of local agro-industrial waste in the form of shrimp shells.
Aimed at Smallholders and Home Growers
Priced at Rp150,000 per unit, Astera targets plant enthusiasts along with small and medium-scale farmers, supported by partnerships with agro-edutourism operators and farming cooperatives.
The innovation aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production, particularly in reducing food loss along the supply chain. Looking ahead, the IPB PKM team plans to extend the Astera formulation to other thin-skinned horticultural commodities.
Written by [author name] · Quotation translated from Indonesian.
