Born in 2017, Sultan Cokelat is the result of a research-based innovation developed by the Department of Food Science and Technology, Universitas Halu Oleo. What began as a research initiative has grown into a chocolate product that is now produced and commercially available on a made-to-order basis.
Sultan Cokelat combines locally sourced cocoa from Southeast Sulawesi with seaweed, transforming local agricultural and marine resources into an innovative, value-added chocolate product.
Sultan Cokelat also embraces innovation in its packaging. Its primary packaging incorporates active bioplastic developed by Musa Biomaterials, designed to help protect the antioxidant compounds in the chocolate. This integration creates a direct connection between food innovation and sustainable packaging technology, bringing together local ingredients, scientific research, and functional biomaterials in one product.
From research to a product enjoyed by consumers, Sultan Cokelat represents our commitment to turning local resources and scientific innovation into meaningful products with real-world impact.
Musa Biomaterials
Research on sustainable materials for food packaging at Universitas Halu Oleo began in 2018. Over the years, the research has evolved from laboratory-scale experiments into a significantly developed research facility and pilot plant. This progress gave rise to Musa Biomaterials in 2026, marking a new stage in our journey toward sustainable material innovation.
Musa Biomaterials transforms undervalued agricultural resources, particularly banana pseudostems and coconut water, into innovative bio-based packaging materials.
Our current development focuses on two main products: bio-based takeaway boxes and bioactive plastic sheets. The bioactive sheets are incorporated with natural antioxidants derived from Cosmos caudatus (kenikir). Designed for use as primary food packaging, these sheets have the potential to help protect food from oxidative damage by providing antioxidant functionality at the packaging–food interface.
This technology opens opportunities for functional packaging that not only serves as a physical barrier but can also provide active protection against oxidation, helping to maintain the quality and stability of packaged food.
From agricultural by-products to innovative materials, Musa Biomaterials is turning research into scalable solutions for a more sustainable future.
Musa Biomaterials Pilot Plant
The Musa Biomaterials Pilot Plant is a research and development facility designed to bridge laboratory-scale innovation and pilot-scale production of sustainable biomaterials. The facility enables the production of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) as the main bio-based polymer, utilizing undervalued agricultural resources such as banana pseudostem and coconut water.
Beyond BNC production, the pilot plant is equipped to process and shape the material into functional packaging forms, including 3D takeaway boxes and bioactive plastic sheets. This capability supports the development, optimization, and scale-up of innovative BNC-based packaging materials from research concepts into practical applications.
Musa Biomaterial Research Team
Our multidisciplinary research team brings together expertise in food science, biomaterials, agriculture, nutrition, agribusiness, and commercialization to develop sustainable packaging solutions from local resources.
Dr. RH. Fitri Faradilla
Team Leader | Food Chemistry & Food Packaging
Prof. Tamrin
Food Processing Technology | Founder of Sultan Cokelat
Dr. Nini Mila Rahni
Agrotechnology | Sustainable Raw Materials
Dr. Ilma Sarimustaqiyma Rianse
Agribusiness | Commercialization Analysis
Sri Rejeki, M.Sc.
Food Nutrition
Muhammad Iqbal Kusumabaka Rianse, M.Sc.
Food Technology
Mariani L., M.Sc.
Food Technology
Andi Laila Nugrawati, M.Si.
Food Microbiology
Dr. RH. Fitri Faradilla
Team Leader | Food Chemistry & Food Packaging
Leads the Musa Biomaterials research team, with expertise in food chemistry and sustainable food packaging. Her work focuses on the development and functionalization of bio-based packaging materials, including bioactive packaging.
Contact: fitrifaradilla@uho.ac.id
Prof. Tamrin
Food Processing Technology | Founder of Sultan Cokelat
Provides expertise in food processing technology and product development. He is the founder of Sultan Cokelat, a research-based chocolate product developed from local resources.
Dr. Nini Mila Rahni
Agrotechnology | Sustainable Raw Materials
Contributes expertise in agrotechnology, with a focus on the sustainable utilization and development of agricultural resources as raw materials for innovative biomaterials.
Dr. Ilma Sarimustaqiyma Rianse
Agribusiness | Commercialization Analysis
Provides expertise in agribusiness and commercialization, supporting market analysis, business feasibility, and strategies for translating research innovations into viable products.
Sri Rejeki, M.Sc.
Food Nutrition
Contributes expertise in food nutrition, particularly in evaluating nutritional aspects and supporting the development of innovative food and food-related products.
Muhammad Iqbal Kusumabaka Rianse, M.Sc.
Food Technology
Contributes expertise in food technology and product development, supporting the processing, optimization, and application of innovative food and biomaterial technologies.
Mariani L., M.Sc.
Food Technology
Contributes expertise in food technology, supporting process development, product optimization, and the application of sustainable technologies for food and packaging.
Andi Laila Nugrawati, M.Si.
Food Microbiology
Provides expertise in food microbiology, supporting microbial processes, safety evaluation, and microbiological aspects of the development and production of bacterial nanocellulose-based materials.
Our Patents and Publications
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