The ITS Abmas team together with the people of Kedung Cowek Village in the socialization of the production of TI-Rang

ITS Campus, ITS News – In overcoming waste problems, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) continues to innovate useful products. This time, one of the ITS Community Service (Abmas) teams led by IDAA Warmadewanthi, ST. MT. Ph.D succeeded in processing wastes from shellfish and fish belly into fish food in the form of pellets named TI-Rang.

According to Warmadewanthi, a large amount of calcium in shells and the presence of protein in fish belly wastes are strong reasons as to why they were used as pellets. With the added bran and vitamins, these pellets are very useful for fish growth.

This lecturer of the Department of Environmental Engineering explained that there are several processes to treat this waste. At first, the fish belly waste is boiled to remove its smell and later be dried. “Meanwhile, the waste of shells is just enough to be smoothed,” added this lecturer who is familiarly called Warma.

The machine for chopping and mixing wastes that was given by ITS to the community in the fishing village to help the production process of TI-Rang

The two ingredients, continued Warma, were then mixed with rice bran, vitamins, and yeast in a predetermined ratio. After the fermentation process is complete for one day, the dough can be put into a pellet molding machine.

This woman who is also an alumnus of ITS also stated that one kilogram of TI-Rang can be sold for IDR 13,000. Currently, the processing of shells and fish belly wastes has been socialized to the public by the ITS Community Service team.

With the help of several Student Study Service (KKN) students, the socialization has been carried out to the community in Kedung Cowek Village, Bulak District, Surabaya City, throughout this November. This is because there are many wastes of shells and intestines that are underutilized by the local community.

TI-Rang, a pellet product made from shells and fish belly wastes made by the ITS Community Service Team

More than that, ITS also provides a machine for chopping and mixing of shell wastes to the people, who are mostly fishermen, to simplify the process of making TI-Rang. “So it is hoped that fishermen can still earn income when they cannot go to sea because of the bad weather,” she hoped.

Finally, Warma shared that this program is actually a collaboration with the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) since last April. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented NTUST students from coming to Indonesia to carry out the program. (sof/ory/ITS Public Relations)