Collaborating internationally in research not only boosts the quality of studies but also enhances institutional capabilities, broadens networks, and creates avenues for global innovation. Dr. rer. nat. Olly Sanny Hutabarat, S.TP., M.Si., who leads the Thematic Research Group (TRG) Postharvest Metabo Engineering, has initiated a research partnership with Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) in Austria. This partnership is supported by the European Union through the ASEA-UNINET program. The research project, titled “Polyacylated Anthocyanins as Stable Pigments in the Food Industry,” is set to run from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2027. Prof. Heidi Halbwirth from TU Wien, Austria, is the Principal Investigator and also acts as an external collaborator for the TRG Postharvest Metabo Engineering.
Alongside the Head of the TRG Postharvest Metabo Engineering, the project includes five academic staff members from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology: Prof. Dr. Ir. Salengke, M.Sc.; Dr. Hasizah Mochtar; Februadi Bastian, Ph.D.; Dr. Gemala Hardinasinta; and Febriana Intan Permata Hati, M.Sc. Dr. rer. nat. Olly Sanny Hutabarat, as the Head of the TRG Postharvest Metabo Engineering, conducted research at TU Wien, Austria, during November until December 2025. The research at TU Wien is centered on developing natural colorants by extracting bioactive compounds from fruits and vegetables sourced from greenhouse waste. Additionally, members of the Hasanuddin University research team from the TRG Postharvest Metabo Engineering, Dr. Gemala Hardinasinta and Febriana Intan Permata Hati, will continue the research at TU Wien in January–February and March–April 2026, respectively. The anticipated outcomes of the research include innovative technologies for stabilizing polyacylated anthocyanins, facilitating their extensive use in the food industry as safer and more sustainable alternatives to synthetic colorants, thereby supporting global innovative sustainability.
