The Science of Speed, Stability, and Separation: A Biotech Student (Basic Chemistry Experiment)

It wasn't just another day in the lab for the undegraduate students at UNESA's Faculty of Food Security. The recent Basic Chemistry practicum was a hands-on immersion into the core principles that power real-world biological innovation. This wasn't just about mixing liquids; it was about learning to control the very language of life.

Mastering the 'Guardians' of Biology

The first challenge: buffer preparation. In the delicate world of biotechnology, stability is everything. A tiny shift in pH can destroy an enzyme, ruin a cell culture, or invalidate an entire experiment. Our students meticulously crafted these "chemical guardians," learning the precision required to maintain the perfect environment for biological discovery. It’s the foundational skill that separates a good scientist from a great one.

The Chemical Racetrack: Unveiling the Invisible

Next, the lab transformed into a forensic investigation. Using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC), students became chemical detectives. They applied their mixtures and watched as a "racetrack" on a silica plate separated the invisible. This powerful technique, which reveals the individual components hidden within a complex sample, is a cornerstone of biotechnology. It’s how we find new medicines, check for food purity, and understand complex biological systems.

Controlling the Clock: The 'Fast and Furious' of Reactions

The session culminated in a thrilling exploration of reaction rates. Chemistry isn't static; it's a dynamic, high-speed process. Students didn't just watch reactions they learned to control them. By manipulating conditions, they learned how to speed up, slow down, and manage the processes that create new products. This knowledge is vital for designing efficient biofuels, developing life-saving pharmaceuticals, or ensuring the safety and longevity of our food supply.

This Basic Chemistry practicum is far more than a course requirement. It is the crucible where our S1 Biotechnology students forge theory into skill. They left the lab not just with data, but with a deeper understanding of how to analyze, stabilize, and control the building blocks of life preparing them to solve the future's biggest challenges in food security and beyond.

Writer: Shinta Wulansari, M.Sc.