On 2 September 2023, the Lecturers and Students of the Food Technology Study Program at Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA) held a community service (PkM) activity at UMKM Kopi 49 with a focus on the Application of Edible Film from Cassava as an Environmentally Friendly Primary Packaging for the UMKM Kopi 49 product.
This idea was motivated by the concern over plastic waste in Indonesia, where Indonesia produces plastic waste of 17,7% or the same as 5.566.223,09 tons. We know that plastic is a packaging material that is difficult to degrade in the environment, so it becomes waste that can pollute the environment. For that reason, many researchers have created innovations to overcome that problem, one of which is the edible film product. This PkM is a solution to overcome the problem of plastic waste that can reduce negative impacts on the environment by minimizing the use of conventional plastic.
Syahrizal Nasution, S.Pt., M.Si. as the Food Technology Lecturer at ITERA explained regarding the development of this edible film. This Edible film is made from environmentally friendly materials such as cassava starch. Cassava starch was chosen as the main ingredient because it is cheap, easy to find, and of course biodegradable. In addition, there is an addition of cinnamon powder that has antimicrobial properties. Cinnamon powder also adds taste and aroma to the coffee product. The production of this edible film from cassava uses cassava starch, gelatin, glycerin, water, and cinnamon powder. Those ingredients are mixed and heated until they thicken, then printed and dried using food dehydrator. After that, the edible film is ready to be used to package instant coffee. The Edible film from cassava starch is the result of the research of the Food Technology Students at ITERA.
“In the future, I hope that this edible film from cassava starch can continue to be developed so that it becomes a good solution for the environment and becomes the latest innovation for the UMKM Kopi 49 products.” Syahrizal Nasution, S.Pt.,M.Si. stated.
Rizki Alhuda, who was the owner of UMKM Kopi 49, was impressed by the potential of edible film as an innovation that can help his coffee product develop further in the future.
“This is a good step, I hope we can become a partner that continues in the future. I am interested in this edible film; if possible, in terms of benefits and price, I think this edible film can become the latest innovation for our products and can add selling value.” he stated.
The Lecturers at ITERA and the Students who participated in this PkM hope that the use of edible film from cassava can be effectively applied in the UMKM Kopi 49 product. This activity was funded through the ITERA 2023 PkM Grant which was held by the Institute of Research and Community Service (LPPM) ITERA.
