FIKES UIN Jakarta Enhances Laboratory Skills Through Hands-On Rotary Evaporator Workshop
Jakarta, UIN Online News — The Faculty of Health Sciences (FIKES) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening laboratory competencies by organizing a hands-on workshop titled "Hands-On Rotary Evaporator: From Extracts to Active Compounds." Held on the third floor of the FIKES Research Laboratory on Tuesday (27/01/2026), the workshop equipped participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in operating one of the most essential instruments in pharmaceutical and natural product research.
The workshop brought together 35 participants, including research students, lecturers, and laboratory technicians. The program featured Vivi Anggia, M.Farm., Apt., a Pharmacy lecturer at FIKES UIN Jakarta, alongside Suprapto, a representative of PT Murni Dharma Karya, the official distributor of DLAB laboratory equipment.
Opening the technical session, Vivi Anggia explained the scientific principles behind the rotary evaporator, emphasizing its vital role in separating solvents from liquid samples through controlled evaporation under reduced pressure.
“A rotary evaporator is an essential laboratory instrument because it operates efficiently under low-pressure conditions, significantly lowering the boiling point of liquids. Scientifically, its operation is based on the principles of boiling point reduction and uniform heat distribution,” she explained.
Complementing the scientific discussion, Suprapto highlighted the practical aspects of operating the equipment. He noted that successful evaporation depends not merely on heating temperature but on achieving the proper balance between vacuum pressure, rotation speed, and condensation temperature.
“Efficient evaporation is the result of optimizing several interconnected parameters rather than relying solely on high temperatures,” he explained while demonstrating best practices for laboratory applications.
Following the presentations, participants engaged in a live demonstration involving the separation of ethanol solvent from Muntingia calabura (Jamaican cherry) leaf extract. The practical session allowed attendees to operate the rotary evaporator directly under expert supervision while learning proper operating procedures, safety protocols, and basic troubleshooting techniques for common technical issues.
The workshop concluded with an interactive discussion, door prize distribution, and a group photo session to recognize participants' enthusiasm and commitment to improving their laboratory skills.
Through initiatives such as this, FIKES UIN Jakarta continues to strengthen practical laboratory education by combining scientific theory with hands-on experience. The workshop reflects the faculty's ongoing commitment to producing graduates equipped with the technical competencies, research capabilities, and professional skills required to excel in the health sciences and pharmaceutical sectors.