UNAIR NEWS – Commemorating its 60th Anniversary, Faculty of Pharmacy (FF) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), with the Management of IKA Indonesian Pharmacists Banyuwangi Regency conducted a community service in Songgon Village on Saturday, July 22, 2023. It aims to improve the community’s economy by making health products from mangosteen fruit.

The head of community service, apt Suciati SSi MPhil PhD said that Songgon Village is a mangosteen producer with the potential to produce various health products in Banyuwangi Regency. According to her, they often encounter mangosteen plants in gardens or the yards of the locals. Thus, Songgon Village is known as one of the mangosteen producers in the Banyuwangi Regency area.

“So far, mangosteen fruit is only sold in the market and is only consumed as fruit,” she said.

Furthermore, she continued that mangosteen or Garcinia mangostana has been scientifically proven to be beneficial for health. Regular consumption of mangosteen peel as a traditional medicinal product has improved immunity, as it acts as an antioxidant and helps you lose weight.

The community service at the Songgon Village Hall was started with an introduction to the benefits of mangosteen fruit to the participants. Then, the academics provided training on how to make tea bags, masks, and syrup from mangosteen fruit to Family Welfare Movement (PKK) activists and the Songgon Village Youth Organization. Hopefully, this activity will not only improve the economic value of the mangosteen peel but also give a positive impact on improving the economy of the Songgon Village Community.

Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia