Ten students, members of the Microalgae Research Group in the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology UGM, A. Najib Dhiaurhaman, Annisa Tsamara Faridah, Dwi Hardianti Luthfiana, Ghina Alyaa, Ismia Wulandari, Khalid Erlangga, Raihan, Samia Nasitatuz Zahra, Siti Mudrikah, and Tariq Akhdan Purnama has carried out research activities for Independent Students Learning for the Independent Campus (MBKM) at the Biodiversity Research Station II, Faculty of Biology, UGM for the Kedaireka Program. Under the guidance of Dr. Eko Agus Suyono, S.Si., M.App.Sc, they conducted research with the big title “Development of Flocculant Technology for Harvesting and Biorefinery Cultures of Spirulina and Euglena sp. at Nogotirto Algae Park, Sleman”.
Microalgae themselves have shown great potential in the field of biotechnology, so they are widely cultivated or cultivated. Among several microalgae that are currently widely cultivated, Euglena sp. is one of the microalgae that is very interesting to research because it produces many bioactive compounds and has a larger cell size compared to other types of microalgae, so it is hoped that it could produce large amounts of biomass and biological products. Euglena sp. used in the MBKM research this time were strains IDN22 and IDN33 which had been isolated and cultured at the Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Biology, UGM.
MBKM activities begin with preparation of tools in the form of arranging cultivation tanks and land preparation, as well as making growth medium for microalgae culture. During the MBKM activity, students carried out several activities such as testing metabolites including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and pigments. Apart from that, characterization of various metabolites that were tested was also carried out, as well as harvesting of Euglena sp. using bioflocculant and chitosan. The students also extracted samples for testing amino acids, fatty acids and monosaccharides using GC-MS. It is hoped that the experience gained during this MBKM activity can increase students’ experience and skills in carrying out their final assignments as well as preparations for them after graduating from college.