Johor Bahru, 2025 – A high-impact community engagement project has taken root under the KTP-Faculty 2024 Grant titled “Development of Organic Roselle-Based Products Using Green Extraction Technology.” The project is led by Ts. Dr. Siti Pauliena Mohd Bohari from the Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FKT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), along with researchers Dr. Huszalina Hussin, Dr. Nurliyana Ahmad Zawawi, ChM. Ida Madiha Yusoff, and Azizah Ishak. SMK Skudai was chosen as the primary community partner for this initiative.
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) is a plant rich in anthocyanins and flavonoids, known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cell-protective properties. However, anthocyanins are highly sensitive to high heat and oxidation, making traditional extraction methods such as boiling at 100°C detrimental to their nutritional value.
To address this challenge, the project introduced a sustainable approach through organic roselle farming using Hugel Culture—an eco-friendly raised bed method that incorporates organic waste such as durian, pineapple, and rambutan pulp as compost. Roselle plants were cultivated at SMK Skudai, and the harvested fruits were dried before being processed using green extraction methods at the Institute of Bioproduct Development (IBD), UTM.
Over the 12-month duration of the project, several key milestones were successfully achieved:
-
3 July 2024 – A Hugel Culture workshop was held at SMK Skudai, introducing teachers and students to organic farming techniques.
-
18 December 2024 – Green extraction of roselle was conducted at FKT, UTM, preserving the plant’s valuable anthocyanin content.
-
20 February 2025 – The first lip balm production workshop was organized with SMK Skudai teachers at IBD.
-
3 July 2025 – The second lip balm production workshop took place at SMK Skudai with student participants.
The final product developed through this initiative was a natural lip balm enriched with organic roselle extract—free from harmful chemicals and safe for consumer use. This product not only offers commercialization potential but also provides hands-on learning experiences for school students, empowering them with scientific knowledge and practical skills.
This project exemplifies the synergy between academia and the local community, fostering early awareness among young learners about science, technology, and environmental sustainability. It also aligns with UTM’s mission to drive sustainable development through innovation and education.
For more updates on research from the Faculty of Science, visit: https://science.utm.my/utmfsresearch
Produk Organik Berasaskan Roselle: Kerjasama UTM dan SMK Skudai Dalam Menerapkan Teknologi Hijau
Johor Bahru, 2025 – Dalam usaha mempromosikan inovasi hijau dan penglibatan komuniti, satu projek berimpak tinggi telah dilaksanakan di bawah dana KTP-Faculty 2024 yang bertajuk “Pembuatan Produk Berasaskan Roselle Organik Menggunakan Kaedah Pengekstrakan Teknologi Hijau.” Projek ini diketuai oleh Ts. Dr. Siti Pauliena Mohd Bohari dengan barisan penyelidik dari Fakulti Kejuruteraan Kimia dan Tenaga (FKT), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) termasuk Dr. Huszalina Hussin, Dr. Nurliyana Ahmad Zawawi, ChM. Ida Madiha Yusoff dan Azizah Ishak. Projek ini turut melibatkan komuniti sekolah iaitu SMK Skudai sebagai rakan kolaboratif utama.
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) telah dikenalpasti sebagai tumbuhan yang kaya dengan antosianin dan flavonoid, dua sebatian bioaktif yang memberi manfaat kesihatan seperti antioksidan, anti-radang dan pelindung sel. Namun begitu, sifat antosianin yang sensitif terhadap suhu tinggi dan pengoksidaan menyebabkan kaedah konvensional seperti merebus pada suhu 100°C boleh menjejaskan nilai nutrisi roselle.
Menyedari cabaran ini, projek ini mencadangkan satu pendekatan lestari iaitu melalui penanaman roselle secara organik menggunakan teknik Hugel Culture—kaedah tanaman ‘raised bed’ menggunakan hampas buah-buahan seperti durian, nanas dan rambutan sebagai kompos semulajadi. Buah roselle yang ditanam di kawasan sekolah SMK Skudai akan dikeringkan sebelum menjalani proses pengekstrakan teknologi hijau di Institut Pembangunan Bioproduk (IBD), UTM.
Sepanjang tempoh projek selama 12 bulan, beberapa aktiviti utama telah berjaya dilaksanakan:
-
3 Julai 2024 – Bengkel Hugel Culture telah dijalankan di SMK Skudai, memberi pendedahan awal kepada guru dan pelajar tentang kaedah penanaman organik.
-
18 Disember 2024 – Proses pengekstrakan hijau dilaksanakan di FKT, UTM menggunakan kaedah yang dapat mengekalkan kandungan antosianin roselle secara optimum.
-
20 Februari 2025 – Bengkel pembuatan lip balm siri pertama diadakan bersama guru-guru SMK Skudai di IBD.
-
3 Julai 2025 – Bengkel pembuatan lip balm siri kedua dijalankan di SMK Skudai bersama para pelajar.
Produk akhir projek ini adalah lip balm berasaskan ekstrak roselle organik, yang bukan sahaja mempunyai potensi pasaran tetapi juga menjadi platform pembelajaran berasaskan pengalaman kepada pelajar. Lip balm ini dihasilkan tanpa bahan kimia berbahaya, menjadikannya produk mesra alam dan selamat digunakan.
Projek ini tidak hanya menyumbang kepada inovasi dalam bidang bioproduk, malah memperkukuh hubungan universiti-komuniti serta memupuk kesedaran awal dalam kalangan pelajar sekolah tentang kepentingan sains, teknologi dan alam sekitar. Inisiatif seperti ini selari dengan aspirasi UTM untuk terus menerajui pembangunan lestari melalui pendidikan dan inovasi.
Untuk maklumat lanjut mengenai penyelidikan terkini dari Fakulti Sains UTM, sila layari: https://science.utm.my/utmfsresearch
