MSU gets the Gold
> Lecturer and student develop natural hand sanitiser
HAND sanitation helps prevent the spread of infection, but alcohol-based sanitisers can have a drying effect on the skin. When it becomes overly dry, the cracking of the skin becomes a perfect environment for germs to enter the body.
Management and Science University (MSU) has developed a natural solution to this problem which saves costs within the healthcare industry. Called Betelnizer, the natural hand sanitiser demonstrates antimicrobial and antifungal properties that are potent against disease-causing pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and is safe for use among adults and children.
The product contains moisturising vitamins C and E coupled with a natural, pleasant fragrance that promotes sanitation and entices use.
This product, developed by the university’s International Medical School (IMS) senior lecturer and medical microbiologist, Dr Ridzuan Muhd Pauzi, with assistance from Master of Science (by Research) in Biomedicine student, Dr Aisyah Badhrul Hisham, beat more than 300 universities and industries who participated in the Research and Innovation Week 2018. It brought home the Gold medal.
Betelnizer uses betel leave extract as its main component. Unlike other hand sanitisers which contain alcohol, some as high as 75%, Betelnizer doesn’t. Betel, its botanical name Piper betle, belongs to the same Piperacea family as black pepper (Piper nigrum). It is called sirih in Malaysia, and includes the Piper Sarmentasom (Kaduk leaf). Mostly used in traditional local ceremonies, the betel leaf is also known to possess medicinal properties. Reduced costs through the use of this natural antiseptic is huge, as is its potential in commercial crop cultivation to meet the anticipated future demand is beyond the confines of betel leaf’s traditional use.