Utilizing Banana Waste, Thursina IIBS Students Secure Gold Medal in WICE, 2024, Malaysia
A team of five of Thursina International Islamic Boarding School students won gold medals in the World Invention Competition and Exhibition, 2024, in Malaysia (20/9). They were M. Daivan Akbar, Sayyidina Khoira Akmal, Topani Azka Hafianto, M. Hisyam Fawwaz, and M. Dhonan Chilmi, conducting a research entitled SUNBYNANAA: Exploring Green Beauty Through Organic Waste-Based Skincare Lotions.
The research was conducted in response to the increasing demand for safe and sustainable skin care products. Kepok banana peels (Musa acuminata x Musa balbisiana) were used as alternative source of active ingredients for body lotion production.
"Banana peels are rich in active compounds such as tannins, triterpenoids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, hydroxyanthraquinones, carbohydrates, as well as fixed oils and fats. "These contents have the potential to protect skin against UV rays and brighten as well," explained Dhonan Chilmi, one of the members. The title of research was taken as one step to explore the prospective organic-waste skin care products.
“SUNBYNANAA” is an acronym for “SUN”, symbolising protection from sunlight and “BYNANAA” comes from the word “banana", indicating the use of banana peels as the main ingredient.
The research aims to identify bio-active agents in the ethanol extract and formulate an effective body lotion of Kepok banana peels. Furthermore, it evaluates the benefit of the product through laboratory and organoleptic testing, Chilmi added.
The result is expected to offer a safe and effectual alternative for skin care and provide sustainable solution for organic waste management by utilizing banana peels that are usually thrown away. The accomplishment has shown Thursina IIBS students both excel in academics, and are able to provide innovative solutions with positive impact on the environment and society.
"Hopefully, Thursina students will come up with other ideas regarding the use of environmental waste therefore the actions of going green will be more visible," he concluded. (lil)