Unhas Students Utilise Lemongrass and Pandan to Combat Rice Weevils

The Pharmacount team from Universitas Hasanuddin (Unhas) has introduced ‘Rice Protection with Natural Volatile Aroma’ (Riceva), a paper strip that utilises lemongrass essential oil and pandan extract as natural volatile compounds to help protect against rice weevils.

Speaking in Makassar on Friday, the head of the Unhas Pharmacount team, Humairah Afifah, stated that the advantage of Riceva lies in its use of natural ingredients that are safe for food storage, presented in a simple and practical format. “We hope Riceva can become a safer, more practical, and environmentally friendly alternative for rice protection,” said Humairah.

Pandan leaves produce natural aromatic compounds that not only provide a distinctive scent but also have the potential to strengthen the pest-repelling effect. Formulated as a paper strip, these two ingredients are designed to release volatile compounds gradually, creating a storage environment that is less attractive to rice weevils without requiring direct contact with the food.

This approach aligns with the increasing focus on using botanical pesticides as part of a more sustainable food storage system. The use of local biological materials not only has the potential to reduce dependence on synthetic chemicals but also opens opportunities for the downstreaming of Indonesian agricultural commodities into value-added products.

According to Humairah, Riceva is designed for wide-scale use, ranging from households and students living in boarding houses to food MSMEs and grocery stores. The paper strip format makes the product easy to place inside storage containers without requiring special handling. However, the development of this science-based innovation does not stop at the conceptual design stage.

To ensure the product’s effectiveness and safety, the Pharmacount team plans to create prototypes, test the paper strips’ ability to inhibit weevil attacks, and refine the business model before wider implementation. The creation of Riceva also demonstrates the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration. Humairah explained that the team conducted literature studies, market analysis, business model preparation, and business feasibility analysis.

“The greatest challenge was integrating health aspects, product innovation, and business strategy into one comprehensive proposal,” she said. The collaboration between Pharmacy and Accounting students, she noted, was the primary strength in developing a solution that is not only scientifically viable but also holds potential for commercial development.