The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) recently held an award ceremony in Surabaya, East Java, to appreciate outstanding researchers in the fields of food and medicine. One of the recipients of this award is Kholis Audah, Ph.D., a lecturer at Swiss German University (SGU), who is considered to have made significant contributions to the research on standardizing food products based on mangrove plants. This award is a form of appreciation for innovative efforts in utilizing Indonesia’s natural wealth.
Kholis Audah’s research focuses on the potential of mangrove plants as food and natural medicine, a topic based on Indonesia’s significant potential as the owner of the largest mangrove area in the world. According to him, these resources have not yet been fully utilized in the health sector. “I started joining SGU in 2015, and since 2017, this research has been supported by a grant from DIKTI,” Kholis explained.
This project began by screening various mangrove species, including parts of the fruit, roots, and leaves. From this research, the apple mangrove species showed great potential, especially its high antioxidant and antimicrobial content in the leaves and fruit.
With the aim of developing natural-based medicines, Kholis’s research includes the standardization process of mangrove materials so that they can be widely accepted as safe and high-quality food and medicine.
This process involves active collaboration with BPOM, which supports the standardization efforts of natural ingredients. BPOM assists by providing advice and recommendations to meet safety standards, so that these mangrove-based materials can be prepared for broader application in society.
Kholis explained that BPOM’s support is invaluable, especially in testing safety and quality standards. “BPOM is proactive in facilitating this process and encourages that the mangrove materials we research can meet high safety criteria,” he added.
With this collaboration, Kholis is optimistic that the potential of mangroves for health and food will be increasingly recognized, not only as a source of conservation but also as a high-value natural ingredient.
Kholis hopes that the results of his research can raise public awareness about the benefits of mangroves in the fields of food and health, opening opportunities for the food and pharmaceutical industries based on natural ingredients. Through certification and standardization, safe mangrove materials are expected to support sustainable natural product innovation in Indonesia.
This BPOM award marks an important milestone in the research journey of Kholis Audah and his team at Swiss German University, who are committed to maximizing Indonesia’s natural potential through a scientific approach.
This research is expected not only to enrich knowledge but also to open new opportunities for the innovative and sustainable use of Indonesian natural materials for society and industry.
