Makmur Farmer Group, Padusan Village, one of the many farmers in Indonesia who still depend on the use of synthetic pesticides. If they do not use pesticides, this group may suffer 30-50% loss. With a quite large cost, farmers often run into a deficit.

The use of this kind of pesticide certainly creates environmental and health problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least 20,000 people die every year due to environmental pollution from the use of synthetic pesticides.

Seeing this fact, five students of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya (FTUB) made an innovative neem leaf extraction tool to overcome the risk of using synthetic pesticides, Termevator.

This innovation was made by Salsabila Rahmah and his four colleagues; Eka Tarisa Putri Ayu, Kinanti Amartia Permadi, Muhammad Fadhli Dzil Ikram, and Nabila Sahya Tartila with the guidance of Nurul Faiqotul Himma, S.T., M.T.

The advantage of this Termevator, said Salsabila, is that this maceration technology is also multifunctional in addition to being portable. This thermevator consists of a maserator, an evaporator, as well as a condenser.

“This can simplify the extraction process, reduce the solvent content in the extract, and maximize the use of wasted solvent,” said Salsabila.

Eka Tarisa further explained that the macerator consists of a tank equipped with an automatic stirrer. The automatic stirrer is driven by a gearbox and a single-phase motor.

The evaporator section is made of a tank equipped with a filter, water heater, and a thermostat to measure temperature.

“If the temperature has reached 70 degrees celsius, the heater will automatically turn off. Meanwhile, the condenser used is a tubular type,” explained Eka.

Fadhli, another team member explained about the manufacture of neem leaf bioinsecticide. Its manufacture includes maceration and evaporation.

Maceration was done by soaking the mashed neem leaves, then extracted with 70% ethanol solvent for 3 days with three stirrings per day.

About 3.9 kg of neem leaves and 30 L of ethanol were put into the maceration tank. By pressing the control panel, the stirring will automatically take place for about 1.5 hours per one stirring at a speed of 46 rpm.

In the next step, the solution is concentrated by the evaporation method. The filtered neem solution is heated in an evaporation tank.

A water heater and a thermostat in the evaporation tank will measure temperatures up to 70 degrees Celcius. If it is reached, the water heater will automatically stop.

When heating the neem solution, the pool pump is turned on to convert the ethanol vapor into liquid in the condenser. The extracted solution can be removed by opening the tap on the evaporation tank and diluted with a ratio of 30% of the extract and 70% of water.

The bioinsecticide produced is expected to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides to improve the quality of vegetables and prevent farmers from health problems.

“Hopefully in the future, this bioinsecticide can be commercialized for the welfare of farmers in our Farmer Group,” said Khomsun Ma’arif, a member of the Makmur Farmer Group.

“Termevator, smart solution for the nation’s agriculture!“, is the tagline of the team that will strive to be able to represent UB in the upcoming XXXIV 2021 National Student Scientific Week (PIMNAS). (humasft)