Students from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) have achieved a remarkable research breakthrough by developing an innovative tuberculosis (TB) therapy utilizing shrimp shell waste and Andrographis leaves.

Led by Azahra Yasami, a Biology Education student, the team has created a biomimetic liposome-based drug delivery system (DDS) that encapsulates the active compound andrographolide from Andrographis leaves, known for its natural antibacterial properties. This compound has been shown to combat TB-causing bacteria by up to 87.6% within seven days.

However, the stability of andrographolide is relatively low. To address this, the team incorporated chitosan derived from shrimp shell waste to form a protective liposomal layer, enhancing the stability and targeted delivery of the active compound directly to lung cells.

This research was conducted under the Program Kreativitas Mahasiswa Riset Eksakta (PKM-RE), funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of Indonesia. The team comprises Muhammad Izzatul Ikhsan (Biology), Fatahilah Annashiry (Chemistry), Alika Azimatinur Raudha (Mathematics), and Marwa Husna (Chemistry Education).

The innovation addresses the high TB incidence in Indonesia, which ranks second globally after India, with over one million active cases and approximately 93,000 deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2023 report.

This project not only offers a potential alternative TB therapy but also exemplifies the application of biotechnology in utilizing local natural resources and waste materials for health solutions.