The Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (UI), as a concrete manifestation of its dedication to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic, collaborated with the University of Indonesia Alumni Association (ILUNI UI) to produce and distribute disinfectant liquid for free to several sub-districts in the city of Depok, West Java.

Production began on April 14, 2020, and continues through this week at the Inorganic Laboratory of the Chemistry Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (UI). Several faculty members, students, and alumni participated. Distribution activities were carried out twice a week from April 14 to May 29, 2020.

Dr. Agustino Zulys, one of the teaching staff of the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, who was involved in this activity, explained that this collaboration was carried out on the initiative of ILUNI UI, which previously received a donation in the form of 2 jerry cans of Oxonia concentrate, each with a capacity of 20 liters from Ecolab, an international company engaged in the production of special chemicals.

Oxonia is an antimicrobial agent used as a sanitizing fluid. In the production of this disinfectant, Oxonia concentrate is mixed with water to dilute the volume to 4,000 liters.

This Oxonia material contains PAA Peroxo Aceic Acid, acetic acid, and water. Peroxo Aceic Acid functions as a disinfectant that can damage the protein network of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, preventing them from growing and killing them.

All the ingredients that have been mixed are then packaged in 20 L, 10 L, 5 L and 1 L spray bottles and are ready to be distributed.

The distribution was carried out directly and free of charge by the UI ILUNI team to several sub-districts in Depok, West Java, through the heads of the respective neighborhood associations (RW). These included Beji, Kukusan, Pondok Cina, Abadijaya, Kalibaru, and Bakti Jaya. Each sub-district received one 20-liter jerry can.

However, according to Dr. Agustino Z, other sub-districts in the Depok area that have not yet received and require disinfectant produced by the Chemistry Department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, are permitted to submit a request to the Chemistry Department for disinfectant. As long as it is still available, the Chemistry Department will provide it.

“Actually we are open request “We are sending out aid to areas in Depok, especially to sub-districts close to UI. Most of the requests come from neighborhood associations (RW)/communities, especially those in areas where there are already positive cases of Covid-19,” said Dr. Agustino Z. in an interview with the UI Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences Public Relations team via a messaging app. whatsapp.