Lowokwaru (malangkota.go.id) – Launching from Divers Clean Action, in Indonesia the use of disposable straws is estimated to reach more than 93 million sticks every day. Seeing this phenomenon, the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) Student Team developed an innovation of straws made from porang tubers which are more environmentally friendly.
Team leader Almi Sayyidatul Qo'idah, Tuesday (18/7/2023) said, the high levels of glucomannan in porang make it easy to dissolve in water. This is what made them choose porang tubers as the main ingredient. "This porang is unique, it is easy to dissolve in water and requires at least 2-3 hours to completely dissolve in water, so it is very suitable for use as a disposable straw," said the Psychology student.
Interestingly, the development of straws does not immediately eliminate the nutrients contained in porang. However, it can be consumed after being used as a straw. Some of these nutrients can stabilize blood sugar, maintain digestive stability, and prevent cancer.
"The making of this straw does not eliminate the content in the porang tuber. So it still has an effect. This straw will also not leave a mark because it is easily soluble in water and can be consumed," he explained.
As for the project with the title 'Soft Edible Straw This 'Multifunction Made from Porang Tubers (Amorphophallus Muelleri) Which is Low Glycemic as an Effort to Reduce Plastic Waste' has succeeded in obtaining funding from the 2023 Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Student Creativity Program (PKM). The aim of this innovation is to increase porang commodities in Indonesia, considering that Indonesia is capable of producing more than 146 thousand tons of porang tubers per year.
"This innovation also aims to increase the selling value of porang tubers, many porang farmers complain about the plunging prices during the peak harvest season," said Almi.
Currently, the innovation of straws from porang tubers is still in the development and trial and error process. Some of the steps taken by Almi and the team are to process the porang tubers into flour first. Continued by providing natural dyes from natural ingredients and printing them into straw shapes and drying them to remove water content during the printing process.
Finally, Almi invited the public to reduce the use of plastic straws. It will have a negative impact on the environment and make human life difficult. He wants people to be able to use natural materials as a substitute for plastic. (say/yon)
