Comparison of Eleutherine bulbosa Derivated Products as an Immunostimulant Supplement for Preventing COVID-19 Transmission

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic that occurred in most areas of the world caused many negative effects, including health, social and economic declined. One alternative to prevented it is to make immunostimulant supplements from natural resources that are available in surrounding environment along with encouraging development of home industries to produce them. In Kalimantan, Indonesia, one of the natural sources that have been utilized and proven locally as a medicinal plant is Bawang Dayak (Eleutherine bulbosa). One of its functions is as an immunostimulant supplement, but until now there has not been much research on the manufacture of E. bulbosa as a home industry product that functions as an immunostimulant supplement. E.bulbosa was demonstrated high antioxidant activity 1.48 μg/ml IC50 value and significantly increased immunity. The E.bulbosa was also contained iso-eleutherine and iso-eleutherol which have the potential as an anti-virus. In this study, several E. bulbosa derivated products, namely teabags and infusions, were introduced and compared starting from technical process, economic analysis, and storage period. Recent study showed that 1 kg of E. bulbosa can produce about 20 boxes of teabags (10 tea bags/box) that can be stored for 6-12 months, with a total profit reached 2-3 times of total production cost. While, 1 kg E. bulbosa was produced 16 bottles containing 330ml infusion drink which can be stored for 3-5 days in refrigerator, and it was provided 2 times profit of total production cost. However, these two products can be used as an alternative to stay healthy along with increase in added value and income for communities.