ITB Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Students Develop Garlic Extract Serum, Win 3rd Place at Pharmaland 2025
By Andre Otniel Panggabean - Mahasiswa Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota, 2022
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id - Two students from the Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Program class of 2022, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Damara Zahra Wibowo and Dhea Kusuma Dewi, secured third place in the Pharmaland 2025 Scientific Writing Competition, organized by the Pharmacy Student Association of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Malang.
Pharmaland is an annual competition that brings together students from various higher education institutions across Indonesia. This year, the competition carried the theme “Exploring the Potential of Natural Ingredients in Treating Skin Diseases.”
Damara and Dhea presented a paper titled “Innovative Tropical Serum from Garlic (Allium sativum) Extract as an Antibacterial Agent and Skin Microbiome Balancer for Mild to Moderate Acne”. Through their research, they explored the potential of three active compounds found in garlic, namely inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) as prebiotics, and allicin as an antibacterial agent to treat acne caused by dysbiosis of imbalance in the skin microbiota.
The inspiration for this topic stemmed from their course in Natural Ingredient-Based Cosmetics, which they took this semester, particularly discussions on the skin microbiome. Their interest deepened upon realizing that the concept of dysbiosis remains relatively unfamiliar to the general public.
Throughout the competition, they practiced effective time management to balance their packed academic responsibilities. Although they encountered several challenges during the writing process, they overcame them through an extensive review of scientific literature and intensive discussions with their academic supervisor.
According to Damara, their success was rooted in mutual trust, continuous prayer, and thorough preparation, including presentation rehearsals. They also emphasized the importance of comprehensively understanding the content of their paper and being mindful of the evaluation criteria used by the judges.
When their names were announced as third-place winners, both of them were surprised and deeply grateful. “We didn’t expect to make it to the top three after seeing other teams bring prototypes, printed banners, and product packaging. But we knew we had given our best. At the announcement, we immediately hugged each other in appreciation,” Damara shared.
Reporter: Andre Otniel Panggabean (Urban and Regional Planning, 2022)
Translator: Halwa Syazwina Khairani (Postharvest Technology, 2022)
