UGM lecturer has produced Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) which is free fatty acid, rich in protein, and not rancid. The VCO extra is obtained through spontaneous method without heating or additives.
"The spontaneous method makes the VCO extra rich in protein, thin, clear, and aromatic or not rancid,” said Dra. Ani Setyopratiwi,M.Si., to journalists on Friday (27/4) in Fortakgama room at UGM.
VCO processing through spontaneous method also keeps the vitamin E in the coconut intact while the free fatty acid can clean tissues from fats. The VCO will remove the fat from the tissues and take it out from the body through secretion.
The research has been done since 28 years ago. Ani said when she started working as lecturer at Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences UGM in 1989, it was time when coconut oil research without heating was rampant. It was this time that she started the research.
“There are many methods of coconut oil making done at UGM, which also caused different types of VCO,” she said.
In 2006 there was the VCO booming, but most of the products in the market was rancid. Ani said the success of the making of the non-rancid VCO was that the coconut had to be ripe enough, dry, but still fresh on the tree, and secondly, the right method for separating the oil from the coconut milk. After a long process of research, Ani finally found the spontaneous method in 2004.
This method is simple enough. Initially, the coconut is grated and pressed into coconut milk. Next the coconut milk is left untouched for 4-5 hours until the coconut oil separates.
“One coconut of Java type can produce up to 125 ml of VCO while the Sulawesi type 200 ml,” said the Chairperson of HIPPI (Association of Indonesian Businessmen).
Currently, Ani also developed products from coconut oil under the brand of Heltico. There are 25 cosmetic and health products she had produced, such as baby oil, baby lotion, hair tonic, night cream, lip balm, etc that will go to international market in the near future.