IPB University Researchers: Porang Tuber Fiber Has the Potential to Become a Cosmetic Ingredient with Five Skin Protection Effects
Porang tubers are now not only known as a food ingredient, but are also beginning to attract the attention of the beauty world. Through research conducted by IPB University researchers, glucomannan (dietary fiber) from porang tubers has been successfully processed into a natural ingredient for skin protection cosmetics (skin protectors).
Dr Prayoga Suryadarma, a researcher and lecturer at the Department of Agricultural Industrial Engineering at IPB University, stated that porang has traditionally contained high levels of calcium oxalate, which has limited its utilization.
Using hydrodynamic cavitation technology, he and his team successfully reduced the content without additional chemicals, producing low-oxalate glucomannan that is safer and more environmentally friendly.
“In addition to reducing the oxalate content, we also found that this process produces glucomannan from porang that can be used as a base ingredient in cosmetics with five skin protection effects,” he said.
The five effects are: skin barrier protection, hydration protection, UV protection, anti-aging protection, and antioxidant protection.
Dr Prayoga said, “It is this glucosamine purified using hydrodynamic cavitation that is the main secret behind the five skin protection effects.”
Its ability as a thickening or gel-forming agent and moisturizer, as well as its stability even when various natural active ingredients are added, enables it to produce healthy, smooth, and radiant skin without the need for additional synthetic chemicals.
From a beauty formulation perspective, this glucomannan based cosmetic ingredient can be developed into a variety of skin care products. In addition to maintaining moisture, its natural content also helps repair and maintain skin health.
With its stable natural content, this ingredient remains safe for use in various product formulations such as lotions, masks, serums, and sunscreens. Its formulation promises natural glowing results with ingredients that are entirely sourced from local research.
“We want to show that local ingredients such as porang can be used as a basis for developing cosmetics and clinics that are not inferior to imported products. Everything starts from local research that is safe for tropical skin and has the potential to replace expensive imported ingredients,” explained Dr Prayoga.
Meanwhile, from a clinical perspective, further research is being developed to utilize glucomannan as a basic ingredient for skin tissue repair. Until now, glucomannan-based materials for burns, surgical scars, or post-medical procedure care still had to be imported at very high prices.
“If this development is successful, the local ingredients resulting from this research could become an alternative to imported ingredients with equivalent quality and even more skin-friendly,” he hoped.
This innovation represents a concrete step toward achieving self-reliance in cosmetic and clinical materials based on local resources. From the porang plant native to Indonesian soil, there now lies significant potential for the world of natural, safe, and high value beauty and skin health products for the community.
