Purwokerto, May 3, 2025 — Another proud achievement has been added to the list for Universitas Mataram (UNRAM) students at the national level. A collaborative team consisting of Irna Audina and Nurmala Mustofa (Chemistry Education, FKIP), along with Novi Rahmawati (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences), successfully won the Bronze Medal in the Food sub-theme and took 3rd Place for Best Poster at the National Essay Competition “Soedirman Event of Animal Husbandry 2025“, hosted by Jenderal Soedirman University (UNSOED).
This prestigious competition brought together the top 24 finalist teams from across Indonesia, making it a significant platform for students to showcase innovative ideas in the fields of food and livestock.
The UNRAM team presented an essay titled: “MUSHBOX: A Biodegradable Mushroom-Based Packaging Box Made from Oyster Mushroom Mycelium, Equipped with a pH Indicator and IoT Technology to Monitor Food Freshness.” This innovation represents a major leap in sustainable food packaging—utilizing oyster mushroom mycelium as the core biodegradable material, paired with a natural pH indicator derived from red onion skins, and supported by Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for real-time freshness monitoring.
MUSHBOX addresses two critical global challenges: plastic waste and food safety. By blending advanced technology with local wisdom, the team from UNRAM has shown that students can play a key role in shaping smarter, safer, and more eco-friendly food systems.
This remarkable achievement demonstrates that UNRAM’s Chemistry Education students are not only academically excellent but also capable of producing interdisciplinary innovations that are both relevant and impactful for society.
The Student Association of Chemistry Education (HMPS P. Kimia FKIP UNRAM) proudly extends its heartfelt congratulations and deepest appreciation for this outstanding accomplishment. May this success inspire all students to keep creating, innovating, and bringing honor to their alma mater—both nationally and internationally.
