UNAIR NEWS As one of the world檚 megabiodiversity nations, Indonesia is home to a vast array of living organisms, including diverse microbial life. Among them, Bacillus species have garnered increasing interest from researchers. These bacteria thrive in various environments such as soil, water, plants, animals, and organic matter.
Highlighting this potential, Prof. Dr. Salamun, Drs., MKes, a professor of Applied Microbiology at Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), delivered his inaugural address on Thursday (May 8, 2025) at the Garuda Mukti Hall, UNAIR檚 MERR-C campus. In his scientific oration, Prof. Salamun underscored the substantial potential of Bacillus bacteria as an eco-friendly raw material for innovative products.
淓nvironmentally friendly, multifunctional products made from Bacillus have highly promising prospects across various sectors. Indonesia檚 rich tropical ecosystems could serve as a reservoir for novel Bacillus species with distinct, specialized traits. These innovations may offer sustainable alternatives to harmful synthetic chemicals, he stated.
Unlocking potential of Bacillus
Through his extensive research, Prof. Salamun has identified several promising local Bacillus strains in Indonesia. 淥ne example is Bacillus thuringiensis BK5.2 and Bacillus mojavensis EG6.4, which can produce natural toxins that effectively eliminate mosquito larvae carrying dengue fever, he explained.
He added that Bacillus also shows immense promise in agriculture and environmental management. 淏acillus subtilis BK7.1, for instance, could be used as a biopesticide攁n alternative to chemical pesticides攁nd as a bioremediator for waste treatment, he said.
From lab to industry
According to Prof. Salamun, the ultimate goal is to transition these microbe-based innovations into scalable, multifunctional industrial products. Achieving this requires both technical and strategic approaches to integrate microbial potential into commercial production pipelines.
淭his process includes identifying top-performing Bacillus strains, optimizing fermentation techniques, isolating and purifying biotechnological compounds, developing final product formulations, and packaging them for public distribution. While the journey is filled with challenges, the opportunities are equally substantial, he noted.
To address these challenges, he emphasized the importance of collaboration among key stakeholders, including the government, industry players, academia, and the broader community. 淪upportive policies and the backing of research institutions are vital for advancing the industrial application of these innovations, he concluded.
Author: Mohammad Adif Albarado
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
