Published on
Wednesday, 9 September 2026
ITS Campus, ITS News — Diabetes cases in children and adolescents in Indonesia have increased sharply over the past decade, due to lifestyle choices and high consumption of sweet foods and drinks. To address this situation, a team of students from the Business Management Department of the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) has proposed an innovation called Vityuu Mouth Spray, which can manipulate the sweet taste on the tongue.
This startup business innovation is under the guidance of the ITS Business Services Incubator (ILBI) within the Directorate of Innovation and Science Technology Region (DIKST). It was developed by Muhammad Nadhif Ikmalsyah, Kevin Ananta Marga, and Naila Zanuba Mustikaningrum.
ITS Director of DIKST, Dr. Ir. Endroyono DEA, expressed ITS’s full support in mentoring students interested in starting businesses. Edo, known as Edo, explained that ITS provides guidance to students to understand the world of downstreaming, research findings, marketing aspects, and how to find investors.
The lecturer from the ITS Department of Electrical Engineering emphasized how ITS strives to create an ecosystem that supports the development of its students’ businesses. “We (ITS) consistently utilize existing networks, such as industry partners and ministries, to assist students in developing their businesses,” Edo explained.
In their innovative work, the three students utilized a native Indian ingredient , gymnemic acid , which can affect the sweet taste receptors on the tongue. Kevin Ananta Marga, Operations Director at the startup Vityuu, explained that the innovation is designed to instantly suppress sugar cravings, helping to suppress and stabilize blood sugar levels.
It’s important to note that sweet tastes detected by the tongue often send dopamine signals to the brain, representing a pleasurable feeling and a drive to achieve more. Therefore, the team discovered that it was necessary to interrupt the signals that trigger dopamine release. “So, our product works right at the very beginning of the sugar craving cycle by blocking the sweet receptors on the tongue,” he explained.
Kevin emphasized that the product doesn’t work by suppressing sweet cravings through a torturous sugar fast. Testing has shown that without the sweet taste on the tongue, there’s no signal of satisfaction that reinforces the craving cycle .
As a physiological side effect, the body typically releases a small amount of insulin as soon as the tongue detects a sweet taste ( cephalic phase insulin release ). This initial response is also suppressed when the sweet signal is blocked, although this effect is acute per use. “Therefore, to change craving patterns long-term, consistent use is still required as part of a habit,” continued the student, who will graduate in October.
What’s even more interesting, according to Kevin, is that research and formula trials have shown this spray to be safe for long-term use. This is supported by the use of natural herbal ingredients like Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract combined with peppermint and stevia, which have minimal side effects.
The product is also declared safe if swallowed, and even provides benefits to the digestive tract. Kevin explained that studies have shown a lasting effect that affects sugar absorption and insulin response in the digestive system. “However, its primary function will not be optimal if swallowed directly without prolonged contact with the tongue,” he explained.
Furthermore, by spraying it two to three times on the tongue, the liquid will immediately work to eliminate the sweet taste, while other tastes remain intact. “After spraying, the bland taste of the sweet taste will last for 15 to 60 minutes,” Kevin explained.
Furthermore, the bespectacled student continued, the gymnemic acid it contains only reduces sweetness without interfering with the taste buds of salty, sour, and spicy. However, a side effect of this product is that it can also reduce appetite, allowing for better control.
Through the development of this innovative product, the student team from the Faculty of Creative Design and Digital Business (FDKBD) at ITS has achieved a monthly revenue of approximately Rp1.4 billion (approximately US$100,000) as of last August. The Vityuu Mouth Spray has also been mass-produced under the auspices of PT Visi Menyehatkan Nusantara.
The innovations created by these three students demonstrate ITS’s ability to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), achieving SDG point 4 on Quality Education and SDG point 3 on creating a Healthy and Prosperous Life through innovation. (ITS Public Relations)