Agricultural Technology professor from UGM, Prof. Dr. Ir. Eustachius Purnama Darmadji, M.Sc., passed away on Thursday (16/11) at Panti Rapih Hospital, Yogyakarta. His body was laid to rest at the Sawit Sari graveyard compound on Friday (17/11). Previously, he was given last respect by UGM academic community at Balairung UGM.
UGM Chair of Board of Professors, Prof . Dr. Ir. Putu Sudira, M.Sc., leading the homage ceremony said that the deceased had contributed much particularly related to liquid smoke technology for many purposes. In his professorship inaugural speech he delivered a topic themed Liquid Smoke Technology and Application on 28 April 2009. Prof. Purnama Darmadji said smoking technology had been used widely in food and agricultural products processing.
"In food, smoking technology is used to dry food as well as to bring about food aroma and taste. This impacts positively to the preservation of the product,” said Putu.
Along with the increased awareness of food and environment, Putu said, initiatives emerged to change the smoke evaporation which was black and hazardous to be converted into liquid concentrate product. It is thus more controllable for smoking, preserving, and processing of agricultural food products.
"The late Prof. Purnama Darmadji responded to this problem by conducting research that later proved that liquid smoke is multi-purposes in variants, such as smoke flour, tobacco taste candy, and phenol glue," he added.
In Putu Sudira’s view, Purnama Darmadji was an academician that was committed and consistent in developing multi-disciplinary research. He had always encouraged research and synergy with industry that stil became the main focus of UGM until today.
"So now let’s take the body of the deceased to his last place of rest. We pray he would be given the highest place in His kingdom while his family were consoled in this difficult time,” said Putu Sudira.