Dr. Tatang Shabur Julianto, S.Si., M.Si

Expertise:
– Development of Medicines for Natural Plant Materials and Organic Synthesis
– Food Diversification and Modification
– Development of Natural Pesticides

Indonesia is a country rich in plant species, which is estimated to reach around 25,000 species or more than 10% of the world’s flora species. Coupled with the number of types of moss and gangang which amount to ± 35,000 species where 40% of them are endemic species or only found in Indonesia. With the high natural wealth possessed by Indonesia, seen from the diversity of existing plants, it is possible to find various types of chemical compounds, even though some of these chemical compounds have been found but based on the history of discovery and development it has proven that the opportunity for new discoveries to occur is very big. Based on this, as a country that is a mega-biodiversity country, chemical research on natural ingredients has become the spearhead of research by Indonesian chemists.
Secondary metabolites in natural materials, although not very important for the existence of an individual, but often play a role in the survival of a species in the struggle against other species. For example in plants, secondary metabolite compounds are commonly used as weapons against pests and diseases. Whereas in animals, secondary metabolites such as pheromones are used as sex attractants. So far it is known that plants produce more secondary metabolites than animals. These metabolites can be isolated and modified either through organic synthesis or bioconversion using the help of microorganisms. The results of chemical structure identification and modification can be developed in an effort to find new drugs and types of food variants with higher nutritional value.

Roadmap

Research Targets
Research for the next 3 years will be focused on the development of anti-malarial drugs through both total organic synthesis and isolation of natural materials.
Currently, researchers are developing a new synthesis method for the anti-malarial compound Artemisinin using 3-carene (one of the main compounds in turpentine oil) in short stages. Artemisinin is an antimalarial compound currently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently this important compound is isolated from the Artemisia annua plant which only grows in sub-tropical areas such as China, the United States, Vietnam and so on. The isolation and extraction methods are quite expensive, besides the yield obtained is very little. This causes the price of artemisinin to be expensive. Ironically, this plant is difficult to grow in Indonesia, which incidentally is one of the malaria endemic countries in the world. Therefore, Indonesia must import these compounds. In short, the synthesis pathway provides advantages and opportunities for industry to be able to mass produce Artemisinin.
The structure of the antimalarial compound Artemisinin

Apart from artemisinin, researchers are also conducting isolation of the anti-malarial compounds contained in the Kayu Songga (Snake Wood) plant. This plant is believed by traditional people to cure malaria. This plant comes from the provinces of West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara and Papua.

Songga Wood Extract as Antimalarial