A Group of IPB Students Created Bengkoang’ Donut
The benefits of this fruit are many. Bengkoang (pachyrizus erosus) is a liana plants included in the tribe of legumes. Because the taste is fresh and sweet , commonly used as an ingredient bengkoang pickles, salad, or candied. Bengkoang also contain vitamin C, iron, calcium, fat, carbohydrates and B vitamins, which are good and needed by the body. This fruit has been proven capable in use and is very useful for health and beauty care for the face, because Bengkoang is rich in vitamin E and it is very good for skin health. Bengkoang vine can reach a height of 4–5 m given suitable support. Its root can attain lengths of up to 2 m, and is widely spread on in Java. The farmers in the area usually sell fresh or unprocessed bengkoang in the market. Based on the current phenomenon some people concluded the utilization of bengkoang has not been optimal, especially for the utilization for added value processed foods. According to Bahtera Naufal, a student of Faculty of Economics and Management of Bogor Agricultural University (FEM IPB). Latest innovations are really required to utilize bengkoang for processed foods.
To respond such issues, a group of students of IPB took the initiative to produce food products made from bengkoang. Together with other colleagues, Aryadita Rahayu and Aqmarina Rahma from the same faculty, Naufal produced bengkoang donut as its innovative product. They named D'Koang for Donuts made from bengkoang. The unique name given is to make the product easy to remember by consumers.
D'Koang is the consumable for everyone whenever and wherever they are. All people from toddlers, children, adolescents to adults will be delighted to have this donut. The bengkoang donut has many benefits, especially in terms of beauty. It will be beneficial for maintaining healthy skin, refresh and make the skin clean and white. The benefits of beauty contained in the donut is not only for women, but also for men to keep their healthy skin.
D'Koang innovation is certainly a breath of fresh air. Donuts that utilize bengkoang as its basic ingredients will certainly increase the existence of local crop products. Previously, the existence of local products had been threatened because of the large amount of imported commodities. Especially with the activation of ASEAN Economic Community (MEA) where many foreign products are allowed to enter freely into Indonesia. The use of D'Koang, at least reduce the number of imported products. "Although actions speak louder than words, it is a our truest intentions which reveal our soul." said Naufal.
The benefits of D'Koang's innovation are also felt by the people around the production site. So far the production D'Koang is carried out in Bogor, as the joint cooperation with Ramaniya Catering. The surrounding community had been really assisted in terms of employment with the production of D'Koang. They really hoped, D'Koang products will be increasingly developed and will acceptable by the community at large. (Wied)
