Markherb is a brand of various products derived from natural ingredients, especially the reference compounds (markers) from medicinal plants used for standardization of herbal medicines. Markherb had been initiated as a community service program conducted by researchers from the Pharmaceutical Biology, School of Pharmacy, Bandung Institute of Technology, through a funding from the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Kemenristek Dikti) in 2013 via the Scheme of Science and Technology for Campus Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IbIKK). However, the related community service program was previously started in 2009 with a Multi-Year Voucher scheme (VMT).
The development of Markherb is based on the need of reference compounds for research, development and standardization of herbal medicinal products. The need for these compounds is commonly obtained from imported products that are expensive and indent, even though these compounds are widely available in medicinal plants that grow in Indonesia. At the same time many Indonesian researchers for natural products have been isolating such compounds, but have not been optimally utilized. Through this program, various reference compounds from plants were isolated by methods ranging from the classic ones or those that had used the latest separation technology. Various simple, effective and efficient separation methods have been developed and resulted in several pure compounds which can be used directly for various purposes.
Meanwhile, Markherb continues to grow with the support of various parties, especially the School of Pharmacy ITB. Other supports come from LPIK ITB and the LPDP RISPRO program of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia. Starting in 2020, the brand of Markherb has been registered in the Republic of Indonesia. For the commercialization of Markherb products, a technology-based start-up company has been established which is registered under the name of PT EBM Saintifik dan Teknologi.
The main product is reference compounds (phytochemical markers) for the standardization of herbal medicines. Product diversification has been carried out in the form of upstream, intermediate and downstream products based on natural materials. The diversified products of Markherb are botanicals, standardized extracts, natural ingredients, herbal-based cosmetic products, functional foods (nutritional), supplements and other variants derived from Indonesian medicinal plants.
As a country with enormous natural resources (mega biodiversity country), Indonesia has a great opportunity to utilize these resources for the nation interests, including for health purposes. Many of Indonesian medicinal products, food, cosmetics and other health products based on natural ingredients have been utilized by Indonesian people and have even entered the global market. The current value of utilization is still far from the value of existing sources, so the efforts to explore Indonesia natural resources with dignity, responsibility and for the interests of the Indonesian people must always be pursued. Markherb, together with other components of society, strives to be part of efforts to develop Indonesian natural resources for the national goals. In addition, Markherb has a strong commitment to contribute to the development of science and technology. Proudly, Markherb wants to present the efforts of researchers who are consistently studying Indonesian medicinal plants for the benefits of the Indonesian people and the world.
Markherb Management