In encouraging the use of research results to strengthen the national strategic industrial sector, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) through the Center for Process and Product Technology Research (PRTPP) has established a research collaboration with PT Esta Indonesia, a company engaged in the production and export of swiftlet nests (SBW). This collaboration was one of the topics of discussion in the NgajiTekProp Series #20 webinar with the theme Joint Research on Swiftlet Nests, Wednesday (07/05). Indonesia is the world's main producer of swiftlet nests with a significant contribution to the global export market. However, there are still a number of challenges faced, differences in heat treatment standards in each export destination country. "Swiftlet nests are not only a luxury food commodity, but have great potential as raw materials for the biopharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional food industries. However, this development requires strong research and innovation support," said Dian Rochayati, Director of Regulatory Compliance and Export Department of PT. ESTA.
According to her, so far PT. Esta Indonesia has been experienced in exporting and processing SBW, realizing the importance of collaboration with research institutions in collecting scientific data that supports Indonesia's position as a major player in this industry. This includes research on the active content of SBW such as sialic acid, protein, and various other bioactive compounds that are the added value of this product in the global market. Meanwhile, Suratno, a researcher at PRTPP BRIN, in his presentation said that PRTPP already has qualified facilities and researchers to support the development of SBW derivative processes and products. Starting from the characterization stage, stability testing, to product formulation. Research must answer concrete needs in the field and produce innovations that can be directly adopted by the community and the business world," explained Suratno. He also explained that in this joint research scheme, BRIN offers a collaborative model that allows for simultaneous product development between researchers and industry players.
