By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 29: Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) has trademarked Bunga Ta’ang or Bangkit Engkerawan essential oil as ‘Adenosara’, with a sustainable supply of 517 litre of product ingredient this year.
The news was announced by Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn during his winding up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
He said Adenosma nelsonioides (Ade-nos-ma nel-sonio-i-des), known to the Bidayuh community as Bunga Ta’ang or Bangkit Engkerawan among the Iban community of Lubok Antu, is a seemingly inconspicuous plant normally used to treat skin ailments such as rashes and itch, and acts as a repellent against fleas and ticks on domestic animals.
It also contains valuable essential oil.
“Laboratory analysis by SBC has shown that its phytochemical properties have potential to be developed for several products such as perfumery, aromatherapy, healthcare, food preservative, as well as for poultry and pet care products and larvicide.
“In case you’re wondering, it is not an aphrodisiac,” said Sagah who is also Tarat assemblyman (GPS-PBB).
In line with the efforts to protect local traditional knowledge on the use of local flora and fauna within our wealth of biodiversity, he said SBC has signed a Benefit Sharing Agreement (BSA) with the Bidayuh community of Kampung Semadang, Penrissen and Iban community of Rumah Simon, Lubok Antu, for the supply of essential oil from Bunga Ta’ang.
In relation to its work with the communities, he said, SBC has engaged with 24 indigenous communities in Sarawak in its Traditional Knowledge Documentation programme.
“This has led to the documentation of 6,568 traditionally used plants from 111 sites across Sarawak.
“Through continuous engagement with local and international partners, SBC has signed 18 new agreements this year. SBC also has a long-term collaboration and understanding with Japanese collaborators to develop micro-algae for potential renewable energy which include hydrogen production, carbon capture, and biofuel,” said Sagah.
To facilitate research works of SBC, he said a facility will be built for higher level and commercialisation activities where a 100-acre site has been allocated in Samarahan, aptly named as the Sarawak Bio-Industrial Park.
The Sarawak Bio-Industrial Park will offer lots to other research establishments and bio-based industries to operate.
He said with the RM2 million that has been allocated for 2023, the development of the Park’s Phase 1 will kick start next year.
Subsequently, development and construction will be implemented in four phases until 2035. — DayakDaily
