Semarang – Lecturers in the Biotechnology study program, Diponegoro University, carried out science and Technology Project activities for UNDIP (IDBU) assisted villages on October 8, 2023. This activity is aimed at the community and MSME actors in Kataan Village, Ngadirejo, Temanggung Regency.
This activity is led by Dr. Susiana Purwantisari, M.Si., and involved a number of team members, including Dr. The Garden of Eden, S.Si., M.Si., Hermawan Dwi Ariyanto, ST., M.Sc., Ph.D., and Budi Setiyana, Ir. MT.
This activity brings the innovation of liquid smoke application for food Pengawatan. This departs from the problem where there are still many rural areas in Indonesia who have difficulty in the process of preserving food. This has an impact on agricultural products or processed food that is often wasted.
To solve this problem, Undip through the IDBU program designed an innovative solution by creating environmentally friendly pyrolysis equipment. This tool is capable of producing Grade 1 and 2 Liquid Smoke, which is an effective and safe food preservative with antimicrobial properties that help slow the growth of bacteria, keep food fresh longer, and improve the taste and aroma of food.
Pyrolysis equipment works by producing liquid smoke from various biomass materials such as coconut shells, rice husks, and tobacco stalks through pyrolysis, condensation, and fermentation processes. This liquid smoke is then divided into two grades, namely Grade 1 for the preservation of ready-to-eat food and Grade 2 for the preservation of raw food materials. In addition, residual liquid smoke production can also be used as a wood preservative by soaking the wood.
The utilization of Grade 1 and 2 liquid smoke has great potential to improve food security and the economy of the community in Kataan Village. This pyrolysis tool helps farmers preserve crops more efficiently, reduce food waste, create new business opportunities and local jobs.
This activity involved MSME actors and students of the UNDIP thematic KKN team for Kataan Village.