Semarang, December 2025 – The Animal Husbandry Doctoral Program, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Agriculture, Diponegoro University, has graduated another doctorate. Dr. Binti Ma’rifah, S.Pt., M.Sc., has passed her dissertation examination and officially holds a doctorate from the Animal Husbandry Doctoral Program, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Diponegoro University.
The dissertation examination was conducted before a team of promoters and examiners consisting of academics and experts in the field of poultry farming.
Supervisory Team
• Promoter: Prof. Dr. Ir. Edjeng Suprijatna, MP
• Co-Promoter I: Prof. Ir. Dwi Sunarti, M.S., Ph.D.
• Co-Promoter II: Prof. Sugiharto, S.Pt., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Examiner Team
• Examiner I: Prof. Ir. Luthfi Djauhari, M.Sc., Ph.D.
• Examiner II: Prof. Ir. Vitus Dwi Yunianto BI., MS., MSc., Ph.D., IPU.
• Third Examiner: Prof. Dr. Dra. Turrini Yudiarti, M.Sc.
• External Examiner: Prof. Dr. Ir. Rosidi, MP., IPU.
Brief Summary of Dissertation
Dr. Binti Ma’rifah’s dissertation focuses on the use of sweet starfruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) leaf extract encapsulated with maltodextrin as a phytobiotic feed additive for broiler chickens.
This research was motivated by the high susceptibility of broiler chickens to various stressors, such as heat stress, overcrowding, nutritional deficiencies, and lighting management, which can trigger oxidative stress and reduce productivity. Starfruit leaves were chosen because they are rich in bioactive compounds, particularly flavonoids (apigenin), saponins, tannins, and steroids, which have potential as natural antioxidants.
The research was conducted in two stages:
1. An in vitro stage, to assess the antioxidant content, active compounds, proximate compounds, amino acids, and fatty acids of starfruit leaves.
2. An in vivo stage, to evaluate the effect of encapsulated starfruit leaf flour extract on the performance, health profile, and meat quality of broiler chickens.
The results showed that starfruit leaves have very strong antioxidant activity, and are able to increase body weight gain and feed efficiency (FCR), reduce blood uric acid and abdominal fat, improve the digestive tract profile, and enhance the physical and chemical quality of meat, including reducing fat and cholesterol levels.
Scientific Contribution
The originality of this research lies in the use of encapsulated starfruit leaf extract as a natural phytobiotic with the potential to be an environmentally friendly alternative feed additive to improve the productivity and meat quality of broiler chickens.
With this graduation, the Doctoral Program in Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Diponegoro University (FPP UNDIP), reaffirms its commitment to producing doctoral graduates who contribute significantly to the development of science and innovation in the field of animal husbandry, particularly in poultry farming based on natural and sustainable ingredients.
