By Faculty of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources
1 June 2026: A study conducted at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has revealed that Robusta coffee cascara, often discarded as agro-industrial waste, hold promising health benefits and potential applications in functional foods for diabetes management.
Muhammad Eriansyah Al Hakim, successfully present his thesis research results to the Examination Committee.
Muhammad Eriansyah Al Hakim, a Master student of Food Innovation, Nutrition and Health (FINH) Academic Program at the Faculty of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FFANR) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), has successfully completed an innovative study on the utilization of Robusta coffee cascara from Pagar Alam, Indonesia. His study was supported by a fully funded scholarship from the Royal Thai Government.
The research was conducted through an academic collaboration with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) under the supervision of Prof. Anil Kumar Anal (Nepal), with the support from Dr. Sandi Darniadi (Indonesia), and Dr. Anish Ghimire (Nepal).
The study focused on Robusta coffee cascara (coffee pulp), a coffee by-product that has generally remained underutilized and is often regarded as processing waste. As one of Indonesia’s coffee-producing regions, Pagar Alam has considerable potential not only in coffee beans but also in the value-added utilization of coffee by-products. Using an environmentally friendly Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) approach with water as a green solvent, the study successfully extracted bioactive compounds more rapidly, efficiently, and sustainably than conventional extraction methods.
Microwave Assisted Extraction, is one of the simple yet efficient extraction method. This extraction methods proves the high extraction yield and preservation of the important bioactive compounds. This machine available in the Food Engineering laboratory, Faculty of Food Agriculture and Natural Resources, AIT
The findings demonstrated that Robusta coffee cascara extract contains phenolic and flavonoid compounds exhibiting natural antioxidant properties. In addition, laboratory analysis indicated inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, digestive enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. Inhibiting these enzymes may delay glucose absorption following meals and potentially support blood glucose regulation. These findings suggest the potential use of coffee cascara as a functional food ingredient or nutraceutical for diabetes management.
Further characterization using Liquid Chromatography–High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS) available at BRIN identified several important bioactive compounds, including chlorogenic acid derivatives, which have been widely associated with beneficial effects on metabolic health and with antidiabetic activity.
The research findings were presented at the International Halal Science and Technology Conference (IHSATEC) 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, where he was awarded the first prize for oral presentation. The research has received a great attention as also published in various news articles in Indonesia.
. This Research has also been Presented in the Halal International Conference, and Awarded as the Best Presentation
This study highlights the broader value of coffee commodities beyond conventional uses and demonstrates the potential of coffee by-products to create economic opportunities for farmers, SMEs, and the food industry while supporting sustainable and zero-waste agricultural practices.
Links where this news is published:
1. https://www.bengkulunews.co.id/mahasiswa-asal-pagar-alam-di-thailand-sulap-limbah-kulit-kopi-jadi-solusi-diabetes
2. https://pukanews.com/putra-daerah-pagar-alam-ungkap-potensi-tersembunyi-kulit-kopi-robusta-menjadi-sumber-antioksidan-dan-antidiabetes/
3. https://www.sumselindependen.com/putra-daerah-pagar-alam-kembali-ukir-prestasi-ungkap-potensi-kulit-kopi-robusta-jadi-sumber-antioksidan-dan-antidiabetes/
4. https://web.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1502270055275059&id=100064762356516&rdid=2FV4xUvzwvz7BW7Y#
5. https://pagaralampos.bacakoran.co/read/56603/temukan-potensi-kulit-kopi-robusta/15
Edited by: Office of Communications and Public Affairs
