UNAIR NEWS Lepa Cake is a traditional food from Rote, East Nusa Tenggara. The cake is consumed by many people from all walks of life, particularly school students. That is why lepa cake can be easily found in school canteens. However, this cake has its shortcoming for being lack of nutrients since it is only made of sugar, water, grated coconut and corn flour. Adding moringa leaf flour, anchovy flour, sesame, and peanuts into the formulation will make the cake rich in nutrients, especially energy, protein, and zinc.
This becomes an inspiration for Oskar Karyantono, S.Gz., M.Kes., to do a thesis research entitled 淟epa Cake with Various Formulation as an Alternative of Side Dish for Elementary School Students. The thesis enabled Oskar to be the best master graduate of Faculty of Public Health (FKM) UNAIR with a GPA of 3.94.
淲e were warned by our counselor not to develop a thesis or research merely to earn a title. That is why my research must be useful for the people of Rote Ndao, simple and easy for them to apply it, said this born Dompu, West Nusa Tenggara, 13 January 1974 man.
In the beginning of the research, Oskar learned how to make lepa cake well and right. He learned to several expert bakers. Then he prepared some ingredients in Nutrients Laboratory FKM before conducting organoleptic testing to a limited panelist in order to choose several best formulas.
淚n general, there were no significant obstacles, because during the research I always got some help from my friends, lecturers, and counselor at FKM UNAIR, he said.
Oskar is hoping that the lepa cake can be an alternative for side dish or healthy snack to provide enough nutrients for the children. Oskar is also planning to meet the Regent and Head of Family Welfare Development (PKK) at Rote Ndao Regency to advocate his research result. He is hoping to get permission and facilities to do dissemination to the members of PKK and the community.
淪uccess cannot be reached only by dreaming. Do real work! Knowledge is investment. The key is inquiries, then raise questions. God will reward four kinds of people, they who ask, they who answer, they who listen, and they who love them, he said motivationally.
Author: Lovita Marta Fabella
Editor: Dilan Salsabila
