Professor of IPB Uses Merbau Wood as Skin Lightening
Prof. Dr. Irmanida Batubara, S.Si, M.Si, Permanent Professor of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) of IPB University utilizes merbau wood waste as an active anti-aging ingredient, especially to lighten the skin. In a press conference of Pre Scientific Oration at IPB Baranangsiang Campus, Bogor (21/2), Prof. Irmanida explained that merbau wood can be developed as a skin lightening product, but currently it has been hard to find.
“The active compound in merbau wood is robidanol. Since merbau wood is rare, it is necessary to make robidanol synthesis to then be used as skin lightening products,” she said.
In her presentation, Prof. Irmanida explained a lot about the sources of biopharmaceuticals that are widely available in Indonesia and can be used for health and beauty. Biopharmaceutical selection for health can be done through a bioanalytic chemical approach (one branch of chemistry).
In some of her research, Prof. Irmanida used bioassay techniques as a part of bioanalytic chemistry. By using this technique, Prof. Irmanida managed to use sappan wood as an anti-acne ingredient.
“To determine the potential of biopharmaceuticals  as an anti-acne ingredient, we use anti-bacterial bioassay techniques, inhibitors of lipase enzymes’ work, antioxidants and inhibitors of TNF-a production (stages of the appearance of acne). Sappan wood is the most potential source of biopharmaceutical with Brazilin as the active compound that can be used as an anti-acne characterizing compound,” she explained.
In addition, Prof. Irmanida also found that Indonesian essential oils were able to reduce the body weight of test animals that inhaled the oils. Inhaling citronella oil could reduce body weight, but the greatest decrease occurred in citronellol inhalation which is a compound in citronella oil. This inhalation reduces body weight by increasing sympathetic nerve activity so that lipolysis occurs which converts fat into fatty acids by releasing heat.
“These research are the results of collaboration with various parties, both from within the country and abroad. The active ingredient-based conservation and cultivation efforts to provide biopharmaceutical raw materials are very necessary. Therefore, with the harmonious cooperation of all parties, Indonesian biopharmaceutical can be safeguarded, preserved and developed for the health and welfare of the community,” she added. (Zul/ZSP)
