[Unpad Media Channel] Having cultivated an interest in studying the many benefits of deep ocean minerals for health, an Unpad Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. rer. nat. apt. Anis Yohana Chaerunisaa, M.Si., developed a snack to help prevent child stunting.
The resulting product of Prof. Anis’ research is called Misuke, an abbreviation of Mineral Susu Kedelai (Minerals in Soy Milk). As the name suggests, the product contains the main ingredients of minerals and soy milk, with the soy milk acting as a source of plant-based protein.
“The results of our research, in addition to literature review, shows that [Misuke] can prevent child stunting,” said Prof. Anis when interviewed by Unpad Media Channel on Monday, March 18.
Misuke comes in the form of a powder with which water could be mixed to make a porridge, or until it resembles milk. The product has three variants, original, banana, and curcumin.
As Misuke is still only a supplementary snack, the nutritional intake of the child, outside of minerals and plant-based protein, should still be fulfilled.
“When it comes to carbohydrate, I feel that is easy and cheap to acquire, so [Misuke] only supplements,” said Prof. Anis.
Deep Ocean Minerals
The minerals used come from deep ocean waters around Pamekasan, Madura, Jawa Timur. Because they come from deep ocean waters, the main ingredients have been proven through lab tests to contain minimal amounts of pollutants.
The main ingredients were utilized for their richness in nutrition, especially minerals, which helps to fulfill nutritional needs in cases of malnutrition, such as stunting.
“Why ocean minerals? Because the sources of raw material are really abundant, and we only need to process it,” explained Prof. Anis.
The product also uses standardized main ingredients, and has also acquired a license from BPOM, the food and drug control agency of Indonesia. The patent for manufacturing ocean mineral powder has also been granted. By working alongside partners, Misuke will be produced and marketed more widely.
Her research on ocean minerals have been underway for at least 3 years, with it being awarded the Kedaireka 2022 grant and Unpad’s internal research grant in 2023. The research will continue on for a minimum of two years, owing to funding from BRIN and LPDP.
“I thank the Directorate General of Higher Education for funding us through Kedaireka, for our research was made easier because of it. Same for Unpad’s HHIU, as well as LPDP and BRIN who also funded us,” she said.
Misuke has also gone through a series of testing, such as formulation testing, in vitro testing determining substance activity, and stability testing. The results of tests on zebrafish prove that the product can grow the body of the test subjects compared to those of the control group.
The product has also been market tested in Tanjungsari, Sumedang, and Garut. Aside from having a flavor favored by the public, Misuke is also considered long-lasting and practical because it is a powder.
Research Development
The research will continue on, especially to observe the growth of the weight and height of larger test animals, such as mice, as well as the improvement in body mass and quality of life of children with malnutrition who have consumed Misuke. The research will involve several researchers from various faculties.
Aside from Misuke, Prof. Anis’ research on the utilization of ocean minerals for adult nutritional intake, including pregnant women, has yielded a product in the form of multivitamin tablets.
Prof. Anis hoped that her research can become a part of a government program to mitigate child stunting, especially in West Java.
“We academics wish to contribute to the fight against the high rates of child stunting in West Java,” said Prof. Anis. (arm/ICP)*