Indonesia is widely known as a megabiodiversity country with abundant natural resources. However, this wealth is not limited to visible resources alone. The archipelago also harbors extraordinary microbial diversity with great potential for development in various fields, particularly biotechnology.
This was conveyed by Antonius Suwanto, Professor at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, IPB University. In an episode of the IPB Podcast on the IPB TV YouTube channel, he emphasized that microbes constitute an important component of Indonesia’s biological wealth that has so far remained largely unexplored.
“Approximately 95 percent of the microbial world is still a mystery. This represents a major opportunity for research and scientific development,” he stated.
Prof Antonius explained that humans only began to recognize microorganisms after the invention of the microscope around 300 years ago by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. This discovery marked a milestone in the scientific revolution, as it opened new understanding of the existence of microscopic living organisms that had previously been invisible.
“With the discovery of microorganisms, the science of genetics subsequently developed, leading to the discovery of DNA,” he explained.
He also linked the history of the microscope’s discovery to the wealth of spices from the Indonesian archipelago during the era of the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC). This wealth, he noted, indirectly supported scientific progress in Europe.
“The prosperity gained by the Netherlands from spices of the archipelago enabled the emergence of various important discoveries, including the microscope,” he said.
According to Prof Antonius, Indonesia possesses enormous microbial potential due to its geographical and biological diversity. Microorganisms can be found in almost all habitats, ranging from agricultural soils, oceans, and mountainous regions to extreme environments such as hot springs. “Bacteria and fungi existed long before humans and inhabit nearly every environment,” he noted.
He gave the example of microbes living in extreme environments, or extremophiles, which can be utilized as sources of heat-resistant enzymes. These enzymes are widely used in industry, including detergents and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. “Enzymes used for PCR, which were extensively applied during the COVID-19 pandemic, originate from bacteria that live in hot springs,” he explained.
Although microbial research in Indonesia has begun to develop, Prof Antonius observed that its utilization remains largely confined to the laboratory scale. Further research toward industrial application still needs to be encouraged. “It would be unfortunate if such great potential were to stop at the laboratory level. This requires a strong research strategy,” he remarked.
He stressed that microbial utilization can be conducted sustainably without damaging the environment. Microorganisms can be studied through their DNA or cultivated in very small quantities in laboratories. In addition, microbes play an essential role in the health of humans, animals, and plants through microbiome ecosystems.
Prof Antonius also highlighted research opportunities related to environmental challenges, such as plastic-degrading bacteria. “Certain bacteria can be isolated and utilized to degrade plastic in a more environmentally friendly manner,” he said.
At the end of the discussion, he encouraged students and young researchers to be more courageous in exploring the microbial world. “Try to explore and study microorganisms. There is still so much we do not yet understand, and that is where opportunities for new discoveries lie,” he concluded. (Fj) (IAAS/KAL)
