SEMARANG – The soap invented by Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology students of Diponegoro University (Undip) Vocational School as product to implement the health protocols in overcoming Covid-19, received a positive response from the community. The solid soap, named Dauja Soap, was in great demand by the public when it was produced for sale.
Five students of Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology class of 2018, namely Dimas Perdana, Lulu Nafysa, Elvina Kiki, Laela Maya Ufa, Ahmad Walihul, were moved to make innovation that could help the community in implementing the health protocols, especially washing hands with products that are effective and easy to distribute in safe conditions. The choice of solid soap, because it is easy to distribute and easy to store.
Dimas Perdana as the coordinator of the Dauja Soap team said the results of the innovation were made with a size of 85 grams per stick. The product is sold for IDR 19,500 per stick to students, the general public, public places, pharmacies, health centers, and hospitals. “The public response has been quite good. From this innovative product, we can sell products worth of IDR 1,499,000 per month,” said Dimas, on Monday (29/11/2021).
Regarding the choice of solid soap form, Dimas emphasized that the solid form is easier to pack and easy to create. To be sure, the product that was designed with his team contains antioxidants and is safe for the skin. “The price is also affordable,” he added.
It was also revealed that Dauja Soap is currently receiving funding through the 2021 Undip Vocational School 100 Young Entrepreneurs Program. The innovation of making handmade soap labeled Dauja Soap itself uses guava leaf extract (Syzygium Aqueum) as an antiseptic. To qualify as soap, Dauja Soap also uses a mixture of other raw materials such as palm oil, olive oil, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, methanol, milk, aloe vera, and essential oils.
This product utilizes water guava leaves which contain high antioxidants and are suitable for the skin. The making process is also very easy so that people can do it too. ‘”The water guava leaves are dried in the sun for three days. After that, other mixed ingredients are added, such as chrysanthemum flowers, mint leaves and dried mandarin orange peel, then being mashed using a special blender,” he explained.
Then the mashed ingredients were put into a jar and added methanol in a ratio of 1:10. Furthermore, the extraction process is carried out using the cold maceration method. Then the extract is added with other ingredients including palm oil, olive oil, coconut oil, vitamin E oil, methanol, fresh water guava leaves, milk, aloe vera, and essential oil. Then the mixture is turned into a solid form using a soap mold.
“Dauja Soap has passed the stage of organoleptic tests including smell, texture, resistance, and color. Then it has been tested for pH, so it is ready to be packaged and marketed,” explained Dimas when describing the manufacturing process.
For marketing, he said, he used social media such as WhatsApp, Line, Instagram and also Tiktok. Then for purchases, it can be accessed through e-commerce or startups such as Shopee, Tokopedia, Lazada, and also Tiktok Shop.
Dauja Soap is proven not only to clean and moisturize the skin, but also acts as an antiseptic that can prevent our skin from harmful bacteria and provide a relaxing effect for the body. “This soap has very natural ingredients, so it is safe to use even for people with sensitive skin. This soap can also prevent redness and provide a calming effect on the skin,” he conveyed.
The content in guava leaves has phytochemical compounds, one of which is flavonoids, which at the time of extraction help to increase the content of antioxidants that are suitable for the skin, and are safe for use in various age groups. This innovation, apart from enriching the right types of soap in handling of Covid-19, is expected to be a source of income for the business owners. (PR team)
