Research Article on Laser-Induced Spectroscopy

BINUS UNIVERSITY lecturer and researcher Dr Rinda Hedwig recently released her research article on the application of laser-induced spectroscopy (LIBS) to test and analyse trace elements biological and food samples; Dr Rinda Hedwig also serves as the Leader of RIG Photonics and Computer Systems.This important research can help the food and beverage industry as it provides better control for the processing and production methods thus ensuring safe and healthy foods for consumers.

The use of LIBS has been applied to monitor pollutants in the surrounding environment; air, soil, and water. This technique operates by focusing the laser onto a small area of the specimen in order to measure the elements contained within it. LIBS has often been used to detect pollutants where vegetables and fruits are grown as they are in direct contact with the soil. In collaboration with members from the renowned Maju Makmur Mandiri Research Centre (MMM) as well as higher education institutions in Indonesia, Dr Hedwig’s research focused on the analysis of boron in meatballs — preservatives such as formaldehyde and borax are widely used in Indonesian small-scale home food industries as an easy and cost-effective means of food preservation however, their consumption can be hazardous to the human body.

Dr Hedwig’s research paper demonstrates BINUS UNIVERSITY’s highly-adept lecturers and the quality of the research that they are engaged in. It is hoped that Dr Hedwig’s research will encourage greater discourse amongst students on the importance of food safety during processing and production phase in addition to preservation techniques. Furthermore, the university’s long-term cooperation with the MMM centre has resulted in the publication of more than 30 research papers showcasing the university’s contribution to the development of science in Indonesia.