Dr. Handajaya Rusli, a lecturer in Analytical Chemistry at ITB, conducted tests on nutmeg fat from Fakfak to obtain Trimiristin.

Met at the laboratory of the Fakfak District Plantation Office, West Papua, on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, Dr. Han, as he is called, explained that Trimiristin is one of the substances found in nutmeg. It is typically used in the production of cosmetics and other high-value products, unlike the nutmeg products we commonly know, such as candied nutmeg, nutmeg syrup, and the like.

“Nutmeg fat dissolved in hexane produces a thick oil. After several processes, the final result will yield Trimiristin,” Dr. Han explained.

According to infofakfak's observation, Trimiristin has a solid white powder form.

Abdul Jalil Karoror, Head of Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Products Division at the Fakfak District Plantation Office, stated, “We are striving to obtain Trimiristin because it has high economic value.”

The good news is that one gram of Trimiristin can fetch hundreds of thousands of rupiah. The less fortunate news is that Trimiristin cannot be obtained through cottage industry because it requires laboratory processes.

Nutmeg fat, which is the raw material for obtaining Trimiristin, is obtained from nutmeg seed extracts. From 1 kg of nutmeg seeds, approximately 200 grams or 20% of nutmeg fat can be obtained. Then, from high-quality nutmeg fat, Trimiristin can be obtained up to 50% of the weight of the nutmeg fat.

Fakfak nutmeg is considered to have good Trimiristin content because it contains a lot of fat.

According to information from the internet, Trimiristin is one of the fats that can be used as an additive for cosmetics.