Jakarta/Malaysia — A groundbreaking initiative in agricultural waste management has emerged from a long-standing international collaboration between Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) and the Innovation Centre in Agrotechnology for Advanced Bioprocessing (ICA), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The program, titled EcoFerment with Yeast, is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dalia Sukmawati and focuses on converting agro-industrial residues into high-value protein sources using environmentally friendly biotechnological approaches (Figure.1).
This initiative was presented as part of the 9th ICA Webinar Series, in collaboration with the International Collaborative Community Services (PPM-KI) program by UNJ. The event highlights a shared commitment to sustainable development through science and community engagement. The partnership between UTM and UNJ began in 2018 and has since grown into a dynamic collaboration, producing nearly 80 publications including book chapters, scientific papers, and joint research outputs. This webinar marks another milestone in strengthening academic ties and advancing sustainable innovation across borders. The theme of sustainability was vividly embodied in the central message: “Save the world by doing something to make it better.” This message was exemplified through the transformation of agro-industrial waste into valuable nutrients and functional products—offering a tangible, science-based solution to pressing environmental challenges. By converting organic residues into alternative protein sources and biofertilizers, the EcoFerment with Yeast initiative illustrates how biotechnological innovation can play a pivotal role in enhancing food security and advancing a circular economy.
The seminar was officially opened by Prof. Hesham El-Enshasy, Director of ICA-UTM, who emphasized the vital role of international scientific collaboration in addressing complex global issues. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the importance of scalable and sustainable technologies that not only reduce environmental waste but also empower local communities and contribute to long-term ecological resilience (Fig.2) . The event was moderated by The event was moderated by Ts. Dr. Nor Zalina Othman, Research Associates Fellow of ICA, who skilfully guided the discussions and helped connect the scientific insights with practical implications for community development and sustainability. The seminar was attended by nearly 67 enthusiastic participants from Indonesia and Malaysia, who actively engaged throughout the event.
In her presentation, Dr. Dalia explained how agricultural by-products such as tofu dregs, oil palm empty fruit bunches, and cocoa pod husks can be repurposed into functional feed substrates. Using microbial fermentation—specifically with yeast strains like Pichia kudriavzevii—these wastes are transformed into nutrient-rich media that significantly boost the growth and nutritional profile of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae (https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1425721988447759) .“Three-day fermentation significantly improved the protein content of the substrate—up to 42% higher than control—and enhanced BSF larval biomass and growth performance,”
Dr. Dalia In addition to producing high-protein insect biomass, the process also yields frass (larval residue), which serves as an organic fertilizer with antifungal properties—particularly effective against Fusarium solani. This dual output supports sustainable agriculture and reinforces the circular economy by valorizing waste into functional products.
The EcoFerment with Yeast seminar successfully showcased the power of science, collaboration, and innovation in addressing global challenges through sustainable solutions. By leveraging agro-industrial waste and microbial fermentation, the program demonstrated a scalable and eco-friendly approach to producing alternative protein sources and biofertilizers. The strong engagement of participants from Indonesia and Malaysia reflected a shared regional commitment to sustainability, food security, and community empowerment. This initiative not only deepens academic cooperation between Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), but also lays a solid foundation for future research, education, and real-world impact through biotechnology. We extend our sincere gratitude to the ICA Training Team—Ts. ChM. Dr. Norliza Abdul Latiff and Mrs. Nooraina Atira Alaudin—for successfully hosting the program, and to the International Collaborative Community Services (PPM-KI) funding initiative by Universitas Negeri Jakarta 2025 for making this collaboration possible.
