UNDIP, Semarang – The Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology (Teknologi Rekayasa Kimia Industri / TRKI) Study Program at the Vocational School of Universitas Diponegoro continues to demonstrate its innovation in utilizing local resources. One of its latest flagship projects is the production of liquid glucose from sago starch, initiated by TRKI lecturer Mohamad Endy Julianto, S.T., M.T., along with his students, Malika Pintanada Kaladinanty (Malika) and Abitha Mona Wisya (Abitha).
As the world’s largest producer of sago, Indonesia has 1.25 million hectares of sago plantations, accounting for 51% of the global sago plantation area. Sago can yield 25 tons of dry starch per hectare, far exceeding rice (6 tons) and corn (5.5 tons). The simple and economical cultivation technology of sago adds to its advantages, making it an ideal raw material for derivative products such as liquid glucose.
Malika explained that liquid glucose is currently mainly produced from cassava and corn. It is widely used as a substitute for granulated sugar in the confectionery, beverage, and biscuit industries. “The fact that domestic liquid glucose production only meets 60% of the demand, with imports reaching 112,396 kg, highlights a significant potential for developing local-based products,” Malika stated.
Abitha added that liquid glucose can be produced through starch hydrolysis using either enzymatic or acid methods. Sago starch is a preferred choice due to its high amylopectin content and low protein and fat levels. “These factors make sago starch ideal for the hydrolysis process, avoiding the Maillard reaction, which causes browning in liquid glucose,” said Abitha.
Endy further elaborated on the potential use of tubular membrane reactors in the enzymatic hydrolysis process. “The enzymatic process achieves a high conversion rate of up to 97% and is more energy-efficient because it operates at low temperatures,” he explained. This method is also environmentally friendly as it does not require additional chemicals, eliminating salt deposits.
Another advantage of membrane reactors is their ability to combine enzymatic saccharification with particle separation. The enzymes can be recycled, and reaction inhibitors can be simultaneously removed through the membrane, enhancing process efficiency.
Endy concluded that this technology offers a strategic solution to increase national self-sufficiency in meeting the demand for liquid glucose while supporting the diversification of sago-based products. “With process modifications and optimal reaction settings, this technology has great potential for industrial-scale implementation,” he said.
Through this innovation, the Industrial Chemical Engineering Technology Study Program at UNDIP Vocational School reaffirms its commitment to fostering relevant research and advancing industries based on local resources. It aims to make a tangible contribution, aligning with UNDIP’s tagline to be Noble and Valuable. (Endy-SV; ed. DHW)
