Jayapura, Jubi – Biology researcher and lecturer of the Cenderawasih University (Uncen) I Made Budi has studied Papua’s marita, or red fruit, for 19 years. After completing his postgraduate program majoring in nutrition at the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), I Made Budi went to Papua and began researching red fruit (Pandanus conoideus) as animal feed.
I Made Budi said that from 2003 to 2022, research on red fruit has grown rapidly and demands for the fruit kept increasing.
“The red fruit is a plant in the Pandanus family from New Guinea. Its fruit is eaten in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia’s Papua Province. In the past, red fruit processing was still done by hand. Now we use special machines to get the red fruit extract,” I Made Budi told Jubi in his laboratory workspace in Waena, Jayapura City, on Tuesday, July 4, 2022.
Red fruit has many benefits, one of which is to increase the body’s immunity. “Red fruit is also popular among pregnant mothers,” said I Made Budi.
He explained that red fruit juice contains a lot of antioxidants, such as carotene (12,000 ppm), beta-carotene (700 ppm), and tocopherol (11,000 ppm). “It also contains immune boosters, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, decanoic acid, Omega 3, and Omega 9, all of which are active compounds that neutralize free radicals in the body,” he said.
The red fruit can be further processed to be capsules for easier distribution. “Red fruit capsule-making machines are still imported but I am also currently designing one,” said the lecturer.
He further said that red fruit can also be processed into soap, shampoo, and food additives, as well as animal feed. “Red fruit can be made into animal feed, especially chicken feed so that it produces healthier eggs. Children who are allergic to eggs can safely eat eggs from chickens that are red-fruit fed,” he said.
As a researcher, I Made Budi really hopes that researchers, especially in Papua, can thrive and continue to grow. “I also ask the Papua Provincial Government to provide a forum for Papuan researchers to gather and develop together,” he said. (*)
*) This news is a contribution from a student of Cenderawasih University majoring in International Relations who is doing an internship at Jubi.
