Five UGM students have developed an innovative tool called Aufrutable Prestool to improve the quality of fruits and vegetables.
The team, part of the Student Creativity Program in Innovative Works (PKM-KI), includes Muhammad Arifin Wardana, Abdan Sirajuddin, Syukron Hani Isromi (Electro Engineering Technology), Adirna Pandu Wiranata (Chemistry), and Lalu Kevin Alejandro (Electro Engineering Technology).
The idea for this innovation was driven by the declining quality of fruit and vegetable products in Indonesia, which has caused the country to lag behind others in the market. This situation has significantly impacted farmers and fruit and vegetable traders, many of whom have faced substantial losses.
In contrast, other countries have been implementing technology on a large scale in their post-harvest processes, making their products superior. Most Indonesian products, which have yet to adopt post-harvest technology, are more prone to spoilage and have shorter shelf lives.
“This phenomenon motivated us to create an innovative tool called Aufrutable Prestool,” said Muhammad Arifin Wardana, the team leader at UGM Vocational College (SV UGM), on Thursday (Jul. 18).
Wardana explained that Aufrutable Prestool is a tool designed to improve the quality of fruits and vegetables using ozonization and edible coating. These methods are expected to enhance the quality and shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
Adirna Pandu Wiranata, who analyzed the materials’ composition, explained that ozonized water effectively reduces or even kills bacteria in fruits and vegetables. Edible coating is a safe-to-eat method that covers fruits and vegetables, reducing the activity of microorganisms that cause spoilage.
Syukron Hani Isromi, the team’s mechanic, added that the tool uses several materials, including iron as the base and stainless steel for the basket and some parts. These materials are chosen because the basket will directly contact the fruits and vegetables.
“The team also used acrylic for the cover to make it more aesthetic,” explained Isromi.
The advisor of the Aufrutable Prestool team, Ma’un Budiyanto, hopes that the Aufrutable Prestool can be mass-produced and benefit fruit and vegetable farmers and traders in Indonesia.
This tool is expected to be a significant technological advancement for the agricultural sector in Indonesia, especially for fruit and vegetable farmers.
Author: Agung Nugroho