Exploring vast natural resources through enzyme research using farming waste for agro-industrial development is what Prof. Dr. Ni Nyoman Tri Puspaningsih, Dra., M.Si does. The professor on organic chemistry known as Prof. Nyoman has been researching the enzyme since 2001.
His research on agro-industrial field was based on his eagerness to explore Indonesian natural richness. Initially, Prof. Nyoman thought about various kinds of micro-organisms or biotas near hot springs. But then he had an idea to utilize enzyme which withstands in high temperature.
“Enzymes which withstand high temperature must be needed for industrial processes which use heating. If we use enzymes, we can decrease chemical substances usage. For instance in paper industry,” Prof. Nyoman said.
In his research, Prof. Nyoman with Proteomik study club of UNAIR Institute of Tropical Disease, have developed enzyme as bioproduct originated from Indonesian microorganisms. This enzyme bioproduct was named Excelzyme and its name was patented by Ministry of Law and Human Rights in 2011.
Excelzyme 1 bioproduct was formulated by Prof. Nyoman and his study group in the recycling process of used paper. In the process, conventional factories use chemical substance to do the bleaching process. For Prof. Nyoman, the chemical substances cause environmental problems.
Excelzyme 1 trial was done in a paper factory in Surabaya, Prof. Nyoman’s bioproduct has produced recycled paper with exceeded quality of the standards.
In its brightness test, based on SNI 14-0091-1998, Excelzyme 1 has produced brightness level at 60.40% ISO. In its stretch index test, recycled paper produced with Excelzyme 1 showed stretch index at 25.78 Nm/g, higher from SNI 21.50 Nm/g. In tear test, the paper with Excelzyme 1 showed tear index at 8.36 mN.m2/g, higher from SNI standards at 3.56 mN.m2/g.
Prof. Nyoman hoped that by using Excelzyme 1 bioproduct, dangerous chemical substances usage will be reduced in the process of paper recycling. (*)
Author : Defrina Sukma Satiti
