On Wednesday morning, September 30, 2026, seven LabTropBRC interns visited UKBB TropBRC. This facility serves as the Biopharmaca Conservation and Cultivation Unit. The Tropical Biopharmaca Research Center (TropBRC) LRI-PGKH IPB University formed it. The center created this unit to manage biopharmaca businesses. It directs conservation and cultivation efforts in a sustainable way. These continuous efforts help protect valuable medicinal plant species. Students use this site to deepen their practical knowledge.
A Comprehensive Biopharmaca Showroom
UKBB TropBRC sits securely within the IPB Dramaga campus. You can find it at Cikabayan Garden Block C. The whole facility covers a vast 2.8-hectare area. This location operates as a complete showroom for the center. It displays TropBRC research activities from upstream to downstream sectors. The staff actively manages multiple integrated botanical operations here. These tasks include maintaining plant displays and living collections. The team also runs a nursery and produces biopharmaca. Such facilities support the future of natural medicine studies.
During the visit, UKBB TropBRC Manager Taopik Ridwan, S.T.P., MSi., welcomed everyone. He guided the interns through several educational field activities. The students eagerly explored the extensive medicinal plant collection. They learned to identify various species growing in the garden. Next, the group observed the busy plant nursery operations. They toured the designated research areas across the facility. This tour helped them understand basic agricultural propagation methods.
Furthermore, the internship program highlighted post-harvest processing facilities. The students examined fresh patchouli raw materials on site. Staff members prepare these plants for essential oil distillation. The extraction process requires careful handling and precise timing. The group then inspected various types of simplisia. Experts use these standardized dried herbs for medicinal products. Proper drying techniques ensure the active compounds remain potent. Finally, the students and the manager held an interactive discussion. They discussed medicinal plants and current academic research progress. The students asked many questions about plant conservation challenges. This visit gave the interns valuable biopharmaca industry insights. They will apply this knowledge to their future academic projects.
✍️ Author & Editor: Tiest
📸 Documentation: UKBB Team