At the competition, we presented our invention called Bongi, a mosquito repellent made from buffalo dung. We made it in the form of a spray.Solo, C Java (ANTARA) - Five students of the Sebelas Maret University (UNS) in Surakarta, Central Java, won a gold medal in the Japan Design, Idea & Invention Expo held recently at the Tokyo Washington Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.
"During the competition, we presented our invention called Bongi, a mosquito repellent made from buffalo dung. We made it in the form of a spray," Sofia Oka Rodiana, one of the students of the chemistry education study program of the university's pedagogy faculty, remarked in Solo, Central Java, on Thursday.
The four other students were Rizhal Akbar Jaya Pratama, Nor Isnaeni Dwi Arista, Rahma Amira Zhalzabila, and Hifqi Himawan.
Bongi stands for the Javanese words "Kebo Wangi," or meaning fragrant buffalo.
"The branding demonstrates that our product is made of buffalo dung called 'keo' in Javanese," Rodiana explained.
The brainchild behind the invention of the mosquito repellent was Rizhal. The idea sprung up in Rizhal's mind after he spotted large quantities of unused buffalo dung, she noted.
"When I conducted a practicum in Karanganyar I found unused buffalo dung lying around. The buffalo dung has, until now, been used as an organic fertilizer or compost," Rizhal noted.
Hence, he conceived the idea of turning buffalo dung into something valuable for the community, especially the residents of Karanganyar.
He is optimistic that the innovation would encourage other Indonesian students to conduct research.
"We will publish the invention in the international journal," he added.
Related news: BNI supports Bulog-UNS collaboration to strengthen food security
Related news: Global BioLife's new mosquito repellent formula performs well
Related news: Government's intervention helps control dengue outbreak
Translator: Aris Wasita/Suharto
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
