4 UB Students Create Tooth Decay Prevention by Application of Healthy Gummy Xylitol Based on Edible Film

Four students from the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Brawijaya University, Rangga Priambudi, Lisa Andriani Setianingrum, Nadhif Muhammad Tauhid Sirajuddin and Nurfadhilah Fatikhasari together with supervisor Dr. Abdul Manab, S.Pt., MP researches preventing tooth decay by applicationhealthy gummy xylitol berbasis edible film. In the 2023 Student Creativity Program (PKM) Exact Research at Brawijaya University.

CariesTeeth or cavities are a disease that is often found in the oral cavity which is triggered by consuming cariogenic foods. Cariogenic foods are sweet foods that contain lots of sugar and sucrose. Nowadays, there are many types of cariogenic foods that are sweet, soft and stick easily to teeth, such as candy and chocolate, which are sold in various shapes and colors and are liked by children. This triggers the growth of bacteria that damage teeth.

In this case, the application of innovation needs to be carried out to prevent tooth decay in children as a result of consuming cariogenic foods.Healthy gummy xylitol basededible film is an effort that can be taken to prevent damage to teeth due toxylitol is sugaralcohol which occurs naturally in nature.Xylitol has the ability to not be fermented by cariogenic bacteria so that it can reduce the number of bacteria in the teeth and speed up the process of rebuilding tooth minerals orremineralization.

Besidesxylitol, healthy gummy xylitol requires antioxidant compounds and coloring, one of which is betacyanin from red dragon fruit peel. Development of betacyanin andxylitol primarily as an antimicrobialStreptococcus mutans requires a delivery system in the form ofedible film. Edible film containxylitol asdelivery system able to releasexylitol gradually which works as an antiStreptococcus mutans and acts as a barrier to mass transfer, such as water vapor, oxygen, fat or dissolved substances, so that it has the potential to maintain the shelf life and quality of food ingredients without changing the aroma, taste, texture and appearance.

One of the ingredientsedible film who plays the roledelivery system is gelatin. Gelatin is a substance that comes from protein. Gelatin has water-soluble properties and is able to form a gel, capable of forming a thin, elastic layer, making the packaging transparent and strong. So thereforexylitol combined with gelatin is expected to producehealthy gummy xylitol basededible film which has anti-activityStreptococcus mutans with the characteristics of being supple, elastic, not easily torn and resistant to high levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide so that it can maintain the quality and shelf life of the packaged product.

Rangga’s team’s research focuses on finding out the influencehealthy gummy xylitol basededible film on preventing tooth decay in terms of physicochemical properties and bacterial activityStreptococcus mutans. The research team often shares the excitement of their research via their Instagram social media account, namely @pkmre.healthygummy, starting from the research preparation process, educational content, research materials and locations to the research process.

It is hoped that this research can increase information and knowledge in the field of Animal Products Technology (THT) regarding utilizationxylitol in the makinghealthy gummy basededible film which is rich in benefits as a solution to tooth decay that occurs due to excessive consumption of candy. (AEO)