Developing and Utilizing Native Indonesian Orchids, PT Martina Berto Tbk Signs Cooperation with BRIN

The agreement is a continuation of the signing of the MoU between PT Martina Berto Tbk (a business unit of the Martha Tilaar Group) and BPPT (which is now merged with BRIN) regarding the Exploration, Identification and Domestication Cooperation of the Coelogyne marthae S.E.C Sierra Orchid in order to obtain and developing the potential of the Coelogyne marthae S.E.C Sierra orchid flower as well as a follow-up to the 2012 Honorary Main Engineer award given by BPPT to Dr. (HC) Martha Tilaar.

Head of the Research Center for Plant Conservation, Botanical Gardens, and Forestry of the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Andes Hamuraby Rozak said the Coelogyne marthae S.E.C.Sierra orchid is one of the species of the Coelogyne genus whose natural distribution information is still very limited.

Meanwhile, BRIN Research Center Researcher for Plant Conservation, Botanical Gardens, and Forestry, Irni Furnawanthi Hindaningrum, explained that the scope of the collaboration signed on 27 September at the Bogor Botanical Gardens includes exploration, conservation, domestication, and preparation of the Germplasm database of Coleogyne spp, which was the result of exploration from 2013 to 2015, propagation and breeding of Coleogyne spp Germplasm, bioprospecting study of Coelogyne marthae Germplasm and botanical experimental studies of Coleogyne Germplasm and other potential plants. Irni also hopes that this collaboration can support research and conservation of Coelogyne Germplasm, especially Coelogyne marthae ex situ with tissue culture techniques to produce seeds that can be used for research on raw materials for the cosmetic industry.

Andes Hamuraby Rozak added that in addition to ex situ conservation efforts, which will be followed by efforts to restore the Coelogyne marthae population, the researchers will also reveal its conservation status which is currently still categorized as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.

Meanwhile, Kilala Tilaar from PT Martina Berto Tbk stated that the Coelogyne marthae research program is planned to last for five years, "We hope that this collaboration can improve the preservation of Indonesia's nature, especially native Indonesian orchids and develop them into products based on typical Indonesian plants, as well as promote closer cooperation between academics, government institutions, and private companies."

The genus Coelogyne itself is a type of orchid that lives as an epiphyte and is sometimes found living on the ground (terrestrial), on rocks or moss (lithophyte). There are 200 species with 60 of them in Borneo. The classification of the genus Coelogyne is divided into several sections and one of them is section Verrucosae. This section consists of several species, including the new species Coelogyne marthae S.E.C. Sierra. Coelogyne marthae S.E.C Sierra is an endemic orchid, listed in appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The name Coelogyne marthae S.E.C. Sierra is a tribute to Dr. (HC) Martha Tilaar from The National Herbarium of the Netherlands for her efforts to establish the Martha Tilaar Professorial Chair at Leiden University in 2000 and for her success in building a cosmetic and natural care company based on local wisdom that is scientifically processed to meet the needs of today's life .

In order to stay relevant to the times and be able to identify trends in cosmetics and natural products, Dr. (HC) Martha Tilaar also established Martha Tilaar Innovation Center (MTIC) which is a center for research, development, creation and innovation of natural raw materials, products and services of the Martha Tilaar Group. MTIC combines cultural wisdom and ancestral knowledge, as well as sources of Indonesia's biodiversity with the support of science and technology to create innovative products.

MTIC has several activities which include research and development, publications both nationally and internationally, building collaborations with universities and research institutions, and holding Ristek-MTIC Award to bridge researchers with the industrial world. The Research and Development Division consists of several departments, such as Plant Cultivation Development, Plant Research, Standardization of Raw Materials and Packaging Materials, Packaging Development & Product Registration, Formulation and Product and Extract Research. Each department has a laboratory and is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. Thanks to MTIC, Martha Tilaar Group is known for its product and marketing innovations which often become the standard in the national cosmetic industry.