UNAIR NEWS – Basil ( Ocimum sanctum L ) which is in the community as garnish, in the hands of chemistry majors students of Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Universitas Airlangga can be processed into spray products that can lower one’s stress level. The team believe that antistress products are not produced on a mass scale yet, so there is a potential for development.
The innovating students from FST UNAIR are Irmayanti Tri Kurnia, Nisa’ur Rosyidah, Melly Octaviany, Ummi Khoirun Nisa, and Zaida Nur Imana in the Student Creativity Program Entrepreneurship Category (PKMK) 2018. They write their innovation in the proposal entitled “B- FRESS ( Body Fragrance Spray Anti-Stress ) Basil ( Ocimum Sanctum L ) Extraction Body Spray as an Effort to Reduce Stress Levels. ”
Under the guidance of Harsasi Setyawati, S.Si, M.Si., the proposal passed the selection of Dikti and obtained a research grant from Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education in PKM 2018.
Irmayanti Tri Kurnia, PKMK team leader, said that the phenomenon of high level of stress in the community can be known after the team distribute the questionnaire online and offline. As a result, stress is not only experienced by college students, but also many heavy workers in offices, homes, factories, caused by the high pressure of life.
“Furthermore, most people use chemical synthesis drugs to reduce their stress, and actually it has the potential to cause dependence and can endanger their health in the future,” added Irmayanti.
They chose basil because it is easily found in the community. The distinctive aroma of the leaves is from the high citral content. So that basil leaves contain flavonoid compounds and act as anti-stress substances, adapthogen – substance that can help the body control stress and mental balance.
“We make this product by extraction of basil leaves in the form of maceration to be extracted purely,” said Irmayanti.
Nisa’ur Rosyidah added, the process of making this basil extract begins by doing maceration using ethanol 70% so the content completely extracted. In addition, this 70% ethanol is used as a sterilizer, as well as a preservative. Once macerated, ethanol is evaporated using a vacuum rotary evaporator, leaving only pure basil extract. Then the process proceeded to mixing the basil extract with other additives such as glycerine and aquadest.
“We added glycerin because it can help improving skin health and cure skin problems, which we get from a combination of vegetable oil and water. Because glycerin can keep skin moist, “added Zaida Nur Imana.
How to use B-FRESS is very easy. Simply sprayed to the face for 2-3 sprays in one use. It is packaged in a spray can because not everyone can take the drug (capsule) orally, so spraying is easier for the user. Besides the aromatherapy can be directly inhaled so that the face immediately look more fresh and the mind also relaxed immediately.
B-FRESS products are the nation’s children products who utilize the natural wealth of Indonesia, then sold at an affordable price, which is Rp 17,500 / bottle 50 ml content. Besides the benefits are very large, safe to use, effective, and efficient in reducing stress.
“So far we have never seen a drug industry that sells antistress products, so this entrepreneurial innovation is very potential to be developed in the future,” said Melly Oktaviani, adding that it has been circulating among students and entered into online sales . (*)
Editor: Bambang Bes
