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UNAIR NEWS – The creativity of ¶«¾©ÈÈ’s students develop in a constant rate. Banana peel waste turns out to have antioxidant content higher than the flesh, so UNAIR students made an innovation of refreshing antioxidant drink. It has an interesting name, Bapeelon Tea, which stands for Banana Peel and Cinnamon Tea.

The Bapeelon Tea innovators are students of the Faculty of Pharmacy UNAIR, Dian Retno, Alistya Rizky, Alfis Zahroh, Lia Ahyuni, and Istianah. This success is then outlined in the proposal of Entrepreneurship Student Creativity Program (PKMK), and has passed the DIKTI assessment to obtain fund from 2016-2017 PKM program Kemenristekdikti.

The background of this creativity, according to Dian Retno, head of this PKMK team is the abundance of bananas in Indonesia. The most processed part of them is the flesh, leaving lots of banana peel waste. However, the banana peel has higher antioxidant level than the flesh.

Citing research of Someyaet al. (2002), banana peel contains high antioxidant activity than its flesh. Flavoniod antioxidant compound contained in the form of catechins, galokatekin, and epikatekin. So that banana peel has the potential as food with high antioxidant.

Eating food with high antioxidants can inhibit the decline of cellular function, tissues and organs. So it prevents and reduces degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart, and stroke. The cause of degenerative diseases is unhealthy lifestyles and improper diet. For example high activity, fast food consumption, smoking, air pollution, and alcoholic beverages.

Explained by Dian, Bapeelon Tea production is quite practical. First pick and wash the banana peel. Then the inside of banana peel is taken, and dried by oven. Dried peel is then made powder, then brewed with cinnamon powder. The finishing touches are given enough sugar and Bapeelon Tea is ready to be packed and consumed.

It is said, this drink is suitable for all ages, children to adults can enjoy the freshness of Bapeelon Tea.  Bapeelon Tea is perfect for consumption when breaking the fast.

“In addition to healthy, this drink is relatively cheap price. Enough with the price of Rp 5,000 was able to obtain fresh beverage content 300 ml Bapeelon Tea in bottles, “said Dian.

Although this business was just running, continued Dian Retno, but in the first stage of production was quite satisfactory. The selling was great by the opening on June 5. It was sold out on the first day, 50 orders. It showed that many consumers were enthusiastic about Bapeelon Tea.

“We are currently open second order for Bapeloon tea through Instagram account bapeelon_tea id and line  id @ acb7223s. (*)

Editor: Bambang Bes