Study of KOH uses in the Dried Seaweed Processing Factory Eucheuma cottonii at Jumpai Beach, Bali by SWOT Analysis

Abstract

Seaweed is a marine product which contains a good source of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, proteins, carbohydrates, phytochemicals, dietary fibers. Indonesia is the world’s largest carrageenan seaweed producer. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is widely used for extraction of Semi-Refined Carrageenan (SRC). SRC qualities and edible films developed can be significantly influenced by the concentration levels of KOH use in extraction. KOH treatment is also useful in the boiling process of Eucheuma cottonii to remove any matter except carrageenan and cellulose. This study aims to see how far KOH uses in the dried process of seaweed by quick screening test. The research was conducted at Jumpai Beach, Bali. The result shows the processing of E. cottonii in this factory uses ≥90% of KOH as a raw material (as evidenced by the numerous empty sacks of KOH 90% strewn around the site, as well as direct reports from workers. The average of a continuous concentration in different time of K+ detected were 1000 ppm or 1% and 939 ppm or 0.939%, while the concentration of other elements detected was Cl with an average of a continuous concentration in different time were 759.3 ppm or 0.759% and 581 ppm or 0.581%. This indicates that this factory waste contains KOH and has the potential to pol- lute the environment. Furthermore, this method is very energy intensive, harmful to the environment, highly hazardous for human and must be carried out with increased caution due to the concentrated alkali solutions. The researcher concluded that new method should be found by using SWOT analysis.