Geothermal emits rich medication, cosmetics ingredients: Researcher

Arif Gunawan Sulistiyono

Indonesian geothermal wells contains abundant essential minerals for medical and cosmetics ingredients that can be harvested business scale, a researcher at University of Indonesia has said.

An expert at University of Indonesia Joshita Djadjadisastra pointed out the 2,000 meter deep seawater geothermal well, which provided geothermal hot water, was proven to cure scabies and provide useful minerals such as silica, kaolin, bentonite, paraffin wax, and micro algae.

“This is a chance for Indonesia that has many existing geothermal fields. We can harvest those minerals from the geothermal wells,” she said in an International workshop entitled ‘Geothermal Technology and Business’, at University of Indonesia in Depok, on Oct. 26.

Silica or silicon dioxide is the main ingredients for eyeshadow, make ups foundation, hair straightening. It could be used for ingredient of deodorant, lipstick, and antiperspirant. Kaolin (clay), bentonite, and paraffin wax are widely used in cosmetic industry as thickener material.

Meanwhile, the chlorella in micro algae has a very solid and stable structure but rich of chlorophylls pigment which is known to contain protein, lipid, carbohydrate, cellulose, vitamin and mineral for healthy food and cosmetics.

“Our medical and cosmetic industries import those ingredients, while we actually can explore and exploit them in geothermal site,” Joshita said, adding that the exploitation should be well-managed to not disturbing geothermal well’s main function in generating electricity.

As the world’s biggest geothermal energy producer, Indonesia has only utilized five percent of the potentials for generating power. (ags)