To combat the alarming surge in dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases, four bright minds from the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) have set forth an innovative proposal.
Santi Andriyani, Salman Hafiz Ar-ramli Lubis, Nisa Munawwarah, and Jessica Edelyne advocate for developing an environmentally friendly natural larvicide, tapping into the potential of mango peel waste.
Their inspiration springs from a thorough literature review, uncovering active compounds in mango fruit peels that can exterminate mosquito larvae.
The quartet, part of the MOSAIC (Mango Skin for Organic Sustainable Aedes Insect Control) team, envisions transforming these discoveries into a potent natural larvicide.
“In mango peel, there are active compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, and tannins that have the potential to be used as a larvicide,” elucidated Santi Andriyani.
Flavonoids, Andriyani explained, disrupt the nervous and respiratory systems of larvae, saponins act as a potent stomach poison in insects, and tannins inhibit digestive enzymes.
This proposal propelled the students to the finals of the International Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) competition hosted by Kasetsart University, Thailand, culminating on Jan. 18, 2024.
Beyond its potential in curbing DHF cases, utilizing mango fruit peel waste as a natural larvicide is a commendable solution to environmental problems. Andriyani underscored that this waste, previously relegated as environmental detritus, can now be repurposed, offering an innovative approach to health and environmental concerns.
Highlighting the massive potential in Thailand, where the competition occurred, Andriyani noted that in 2020, the country produced a whopping 1.66 million tons of mangoes. This staggering figure underscores the country’s untapped potential for mango peel waste.
“Our concept envisions utilizing waste from mango fruit peels in Thailand to address the problems currently faced by the country, given that Thailand is one of the largest mango producers globally,” she explained.
Salman Lubis added that their initiative sprouted from a deep-seated concern fueled by a WHO report on the alarming rise in global DHF cases. The surge in DHF outbreaks has manifested in a substantial increase in reported cases in terms of numbers and geographical reach.
WHO’s 2023 data revealed a remarkable spike in DHF cases in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, where the prevalence surged by over 300% compared to the previous year.
In 2022, Thailand recorded 46,678 cases, skyrocketing to 136,655 cases in 2023. The corresponding mortality rate also surged from 34 to 147 deaths during the same period.
Dr. Arko Jatmiko Wicaksono, a researcher at the Center for Herbal Medicine and the mentor of the MOSAIC team, emphasized the invaluable experiences gained by UGM students in international competitions. Besides personal growth, these ideas can contribute to resolving global issues.
Author: Dr. Arko Jatmiko Wicaksono
Editor: Ika