Students from the Faculty of Dentistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKG UGM) have developed a chewing gum designed to detect and remove dental plaque using extract from dragon fruit peel.
This innovation, funded by the Directorate General of Higher Education (Diktiristek) of the Ministry of Education and Culture and UGM through the 2024 Student Creativity Program in Exact Research (PKM-RE), features a product named “Draco-chew.”
The chewing gum, created by five students from the 2023 cohort—Fatimah Islamia, Tyasadwi Bumi, Lutfia Nur Shabrina, Desika Yuspina Nurhidayah, and Dyza Fathmasari Danisworo—uses red dragon fruit peel extract (Hylocereus polyrhizus) for its plaque detection and removal properties.
The research, supervised by Dr. drg. Alma Linggar Jonarta, M.Kes from the Oral Biology Department at FKG UGM.
The research explores the use of betacyanins in red dragon fruit peel, which possess natural coloring and antibacterial properties. These betacyanins are utilized in Draco-chew to color dental plaque, making it easier for the general public to detect plaque. Additionally, chewing this gum stimulates saliva production, aiding in the cleaning of the oral cavity and removal of immature plaque.
The research was conducted across several UGM laboratories, including the Integrated Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Dentistry, the Engineering Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) of the Faculty of Engineering, the Plant Systematics Laboratory of the Faculty of Biology, and the Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory of the Faculty of Pharmacy. In vitro tests were carried out to observe the gum’s ability to stain plaque and compare the intensity of the dragon fruit extract color with standard plaque coloring solutions in dentistry.
While preliminary results show great potential, further research is needed to refine the composition of Draco-chew and ensure its safety for public consumption. The goal is for Draco-chew to be mass-produced and used widely to enhance dental hygiene and prevent cavities.
This innovation supports not only dental health but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 Good Health and Well-Being and 12 Responsible Consumption and Production by utilizing dragon fruit peel waste.
Author: Pram | Editor: Fajar Budi
