The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA UI), through the Chemistry Department, provided training and education to residents of Pondok Cina Village on the manufacturing process and operation of alcohol-based hand sanitizer on Sunday (July 24) at the Pondok Cina Village Hall in Depok. The activity was part of its community service program.

The Head of the Chemistry Department, Asep Saefumillah, M.Sc., Ph.D., explained that this community service program demonstrates the Department’s commitment to implementing the Tri Dharma of Higher Education. The purpose of this community service is to provide insight and knowledge to residents about the process of making effective hand sanitizer independently and how it works to kill viral particles.

“So, the goal is that when another pandemic occurs in the future, participants will have the knowledge to independently make effective hand sanitizer,” said Asep, who is also a lecturer at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, specializing in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry.

For this activity, the Chemistry Department provided complete facilities, including the necessary equipment and materials. The tools and materials provided included a 1-L glass container, a spatula, a hand blender, 50 grams of gel, 400 ml of ethanol, 80 ml of water, and 2 ml of fragrance.

Accompanied directly by the head of the community service team, Dr.rer.nat. Agustino Zulys, M.Sc., the activity, which involved 30 participants, proceeded smoothly and pleasantly. The team leader explained the process of making hand sanitizer, which begins by placing the gel in a container, then mixing it with 200 ml of alcohol. All ingredients are mixed thoroughly using a hand blender until a homogeneous mixture is formed.

The next step is to add and thoroughly stir the water and remaining alcohol. Finally, the team recommends adding fragrance to the mixture so that the resulting hand sanitizer not only smells like alcohol but also has a distinctive aroma.

“This way, all of you can now use the hand sanitizer we’ve created,” said the team leader, Dr. rer.nat. Agustino Zulys M.Sc.

Before the training begins, the community must first fill out pre-test to measure participants’ knowledge about hand sanitizer.

Dr. Munawar Khalil, provided a presentation on the definition, how it works, its use, ingredients and uses, and the process of making hand sanitizer.

He explained that hand sanitizer is a practical hand cleaning liquid that can be used anywhere to inhibit or kill microorganisms in living tissue.

Terdapat dua jenis hand sanitizer yang umum digunakan, yaitu mengandung alkohol dan tidak mengandung alkohol.

“Hand sanitizers containing alcohol usually use compounds etanol, iso-propanol, and n-propanol as an active ingredient. While those that do not contain alcohol usually use compounds ammonium kuartener, benzalkonium klorida, chlorhexidine, iodine, And triclosan as an active ingredient,” said the Director of Research and Development at UI.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer according to recommendations World Health Organization (WHO) requires a concentration of 70% that has been dissolved with other chemicals.

“This means that 70% of this has been dissolved in water, fragrances, and similar products. The alcohol content must be 70%. No more, no less. If the concentration is more or less than 70%, the hand sanitizer’s effectiveness in killing viruses is reduced,” he added.

Dr. Munawar urged participants to use hand sanitizer properly. Start by rubbing the palms and backs of your hands, spreading them evenly across your hands, including between your fingers. Most importantly, let the sanitizer dry for 20-30 seconds before continuing.

Meanwhile, hand sanitizers containing ethanol and alcohol require special care to avoid workplace accidents that could harm yourself or others. Dr. Munawar warned of the dangers of ethanol liquids if used carelessly.

“Ethanol is a flammable liquid. Therefore, keep it away from sparks. If ethanol comes into contact with the eyes, it can cause irritation,” he said.

Another thing that participants need to know about hand sanitizer is how it works. The inorganic chemistry expert from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, explained how hand sanitizer works as follows: first, when coronavirus particles stick to the surface of the skin, the viral membrane fuses with the human cell membrane, the virus then reproduces itself in the human body. The function of alcohol in this case is to break down the viral envelope, so that the viral RNA in the viral envelope is separated and destroyed. Finally, the microorganism, in this case the virus, stops growing and dies. Before the event closed, residents were asked to fill in their own questionnaires again. post-test untuk mengukur sejauh mana ilmu yang disampaikan dapat dipahami.

Residents of Pondok Cina Village were very enthusiastic about participating in the three-hour training. Desi, Head of the Economic and Development Section of Pondok Cina Village, welcomed the team’s presence. She stated that the scope of this activity has great potential for expansion.

The Chemistry Department plans to hold two other community service activities. These include education on the importance of nutritional intake and food metabolism, and outreach on competency improvement for teachers.