UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) continues to expand its international student exchange programs, sending students abroad for enriching experiences. Recently, a student from the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPK), Muhammad Syarif Satriyo Samudra, participated in a one-month student mobility program at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), focusing on seaweed product development, specifically Gracilaria.
Samudra’s interest in seaweed processing was sparked by his involvement in the ASEAN Pacific Aquaculture (APA) event, an international aquaculture exhibition held in Surabaya. During the event, he encountered processed seaweed products that piqued his curiosity and motivated him to delve deeper into the field.
Product development
Taking advantage of the student exchange program, Samudra dedicated his efforts to processing Gracilaria sp., a type of seaweed used as raw material for various products. He explained that cultivating Gracilaria is efficient as it can be grown in unused ponds, offering a sustainable and practical farming solution.
“Gracilaria cultivation is simple and holds vast market potential, with applications ranging from food to textiles, biofuels, and even cosmetics. Additionally, cultivating this seaweed on unused land boosts land productivity and contributes to ecosystem restoration,” Samudra explained.
While at UniKL, Samudra developed Gracilaria into agar powder and explored the production of sea moss, a superfood derived from Kappaphycus alvarezii, another type of seaweed. Sea moss is commonly used in juices and as a cosmetic ingredient, and it provides numerous health benefits, particularly for metabolism.
In addition to its use as a food product, Kappaphycus alvarezii is processed into carrageenan, a natural thickener, and biodegradable packaging materials, including eco-friendly straws. Samudra is focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as potential markets for these innovations.
“Our goal with Gracilaria processing is to advance the downstreaming of industries by transforming raw materials into high-value finished products. This approach not only increases product value but also raises their market price through sustainable production,” Samudra added.
Impressions
Samudra expressed a positive impression of his time at UniKL, noting the well-maintained and comprehensive learning facilities that enhanced his experience. He encouraged fellow students to take advantage of international exchange opportunities, emphasizing the importance of seizing such invaluable experiences.
“UNAIR fully supports its students in developing skills and expertise through programs like overseas exchanges. It would be a shame not to make the most of this invaluable opportunity offered by the university,” Samudra concluded.
Author: Rifki Sunarsis Ari Adi
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
