• News Archive
  • Simaster
  • Webmail
  • Directory
  • Crisis Center
  •  English
    • Indonesia
Universitas Gadjah Mada Universitas Gadjah Mada Universitas Gadjah Mada Universitas Gadjah Mada
  • Education
    • Doctoral dissertation
    • Inauguration of Professor
    • Graduation
  • Achievement
  • Research and Innovation
    • Research
    • Innovation
  • Campus Info
    • Cooperation
    • Seminar and Workshop
    • Student Community Service Program
    • Other
  • News Report
  • Home
  • Inauguration of Professor
  • UGM Researcher Develops Anti-Infectives From Sponge and Essential Oils

UGM Researcher Develops Anti-Infectives From Sponge and Essential Oils

  • 11 February 2021, 19:16 WIB
  • By: Salma
  • 1166
Peneliti UGM Kembangkan Spons dan Minyak Atsiri sebagai Antiinfeksi

Infectious diseases once again grabbed the world’s attention through the emergence of the coronavirus outbreak in 2019. Interaction between microorganisms and a person’s immune system will determine infection, appearance or absence of symptoms, and severity. Thus, a group of people living in the same environment will result in different scenarios. Some may get exposed to the disease, and others may not. Even if they do get exposed, the severity of each individual can vary.

Treatment of infection involves vaccines as part of specific prevention and antibiotics as part of treatment. However, sometimes, antibiotics are not used wisely by the public and health workers. Also, it has been the natural ability of microorganisms to defend themselves and their populations through genetic mutations. The mutation itself is an inevitable process, thus affecting the “social trait” of microorganisms can be a solution.

To overcome this infection can be through modulating the social interaction of microorganisms. One of the social products of microorganisms is a biofilm. Communities of microorganisms that attach to a surface in an aqueous environment are the actors that form biofilms.

A study conducted by a UGM Pharmacy lecturer, Prof. Dr. Triana Hertiani, M.Si., Apt., found that Indonesia’s rich marine resources can be a source for collecting antibiofilm compounds. Yet, obtaining ingredients in large quantities is difficult as pharmaceutical raw materials derived from marine resources are still lacking. Her research on sponge Agelas nakamurai in the Bali Sea shows the existence of various compounds with antibacterial, antibiofilm, antifouling, and cytotoxic properties.

“As we all know, sponges cannot completely escape from microorganisms around them. Thus, implementing a control mechanism is a necessity for survival,” said Prof. Dr. Triana Hertiani, M.Sc., Apt., in her inaugural lecture as Professor in Pharmaceutical Biology of the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM, Thursday (11/2), at the UGM Central Building.

Apart from marine-derived pharmaceuticals, Triana Hertiani also develops antibiofilm from a selection of medicinal plants. According to her, another native Indonesian plant having antibiofilm potential is the Massoia tree. Essential oils have also proved effective as antibiofilm. From their physical properties, essential oils are nonpolar and volatile plant metabolites. They can be obtained from various parts of the plant, such as bark (cinnamon and Massoia bark). “Flowers such as roses, jasmines, ylang-ylang, cloves, and leaves like eucalyptus are among the sources,” she said.

She explained that, in their habitat, plants produced essential oils continuously or in response to phytopathogens. Currently, various oral health products have used several plant chemical compounds with antibiofilm potential.

According to her, research on anti-infective compounds that can modulate microorganism interactions in the form of biofilms still needs tests on polymicrobial cultures. However, interventions in the social microorganism community using natural ingredients can be one of the best strategies to eradicate present and future infection problems.

Author: Gusti Grehenson

Related News

  • UGM Researchers Increase Patchouli Essential Oil Production in Kulonprogo

    Monday,28 October 2019 - 9:42
  • Lemon Grass and Kaffir Lime Essential Oils for Mouthwash

    Tuesday,17 May 2016 - 8:57
  • Eucalyptus Has Not Yet Proven to Kill Coronavirus

    Thursday,09 July 2020 - 18:39
  • Sea Sponge Gel to Accelerate Wound Healing

    Thursday,12 July 2018 - 14:08
  • Artificial Coral Sponge Helps Accelerate Wound Healing

    Tuesday,26 June 2018 - 9:30

News Releases

  • UGM to Bolster Cooperation With US Partners 31 May 2023
    UGM enhances cooperation in education, research, a
    Salma
  • GIS Student Wins 3 Medals at 2023 National Olympiad 31 May 2023
    UGM Geographic Information System student Hajir Helmi Nur
    Salma
  • Biology Students Grab 2 Prizes in Indonesia-Wide Scientific Writing Competition 26 May 2023
    A team from the UGM Faculty of Biology has won two
    Salma
  • Professor Ika Dewi Ana Receives WIPO National Award for Inventors 22 May 2023
    Professor Ika Dewi Ana from the UGM Faculty of Den
    Salma
  • Civil Engineering Students Win International BIM Innovation Contest CEIC XI 22 May 2023
    Three UGM Civil Engineering students, teaming up a
    Salma

Event

  • 06Sep The 5th International Conference on Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, and Biomedical Engineering (BioMIC) 2023...
  • 02Oct Conference of Critical Island Studies...
  • 04Oct The 7th Astechnova International Energy Conference...
Universitas Gadjah Mada
UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA
Bulaksumur Yogyakarta 55281
   info@ugm.ac.id
   +62 (274) 588688
   +62 (274) 565223
   +62 811 2869 988

PARTNERSHIP

  • Alumni
  • International Affairs

ABOUT UGM

  • Rector's Welcome
  • History
  • Vission and Mission
  • The Board of Executive
  • Management

VISIT UGM

  • Campus Map
  • Event

REGISTRATION

  • Undergraduate
  • Graduate
  • Vocational School
  • Professional Program
  • International Program

© 2023 Universitas Gadjah Mada

PRIVACY POLICYCONTACT