Getting Rid of Foot Odor with Fochi-Spray, A Product Made by IPB University Students
Feet often produce much sweat, especially when using socks and shoes, which causes bad odor. Three IPB University students who participated in the Student Creativity Program for Research (PKMPE 2019), namely Anita Ervina, Mohammad Rofiqi, and Tiara Fitri Erinanda, tried making a foot odor removal product named Fochi-spray. The research was supervised by Dr. Kustiariyah Tarman.
Fochi-spray is a body care product in the form of a spray and is made of nano-chitosan from shrimp shells. Anita as the team leader explained that the background of this idea came from the previous research literature on the antibacterial activity of the skin and the consideration of the hot weather in Indonesia which triggers frequent sweating.
“Chitosan from shrimp shells is proven to be able to inhibit the growth of skin bacteria, namely Staphylococcus epidermidis which is dominant in feet. Many shrimp processing industries in Indonesia have not used the waste for making body care products,” she said.
The student of the Department of Aquatic Product Technology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK) said that nano-chitosan has a quite reactive skin antibacterial activity. Therefore, it has potential as a remover of foot odor caused by foot bacteria. “Such research has not been widely carried out. The antibacterial products from shrimp shells (shrimp waste) are also still limited,” she said.
The form of spray was chosen due to its fast-drying and fast-absorbing characteristics and its practical and pleasant use. Spray products are considered as a more comfortable and safe formulation for body treatment, especially in hairy areas such as the skin. In addition, Fochi-spray was also formulated with menthol to neutralize odors and provide a cool sensation on the skin.
The research has been at the physical test and antibacterial activity test stages, and few more tests would be carried out. “Product stability test is currently being conducted, and the irritation test and the effectiveness of the product on human skin will be carried out next,” she said. (IRM/ris/zsp)
