Indonesia is one of the countries with the richest biodiversity in the world. Before the era of independence, European countries competed to occupy Indonesia for spices. In Indonesian culture, spices have been used by Indonesian ancestors as medicines. Today, spices are still the people's choice as ingredients for preparations that aim to maintain health, including students from the State University of Malang (UM) who process a number of plants into infused water beverage products.
The Malang State University team succeeded in making Nutrofin which is an innovative product of infused water by using several Indonesian plants as basic ingredients, such as red galangal, noni, key lime, and blue pea flower. Nutrofin contains the active compound scopoletin which has several functions, such as anti-virus and lowering blood pressure. The combination of active compounds contained in the basic ingredients of Nutrofin is expected to have two main functions, namely improving blood circulation and lowering cholesterol.
This innovation from UM students attains achievements in international events. At the Malaysia Young Scientist and Exhibition (MYSCE) 2021, they won a silver medal in the Food Technology category. In addition, in the Nigerian Organization for Creativity, Innovation, and Invention Promotion (OCIIP) IP World Fair 2021 competition, they won a gold medal in the Food and Health category. This award also proves that Indonesian plants and spices are very efficacious in treating diseases.