Implementation of Green Technopreneurship through the ATCP Method for Community-Scale Processing of Gracilaria sp. in Jabon, Sidoarjo

Abstract

Sidoarjo Regency, particularly Jabon District, is a central hub for Gracilaria sp. seaweed cultivation; however, its economic value remains low due to the dominance of raw material sales with high impurity levels. This study aims to optimize seaweed quality through the implementation of Alkali Treatment Conditioning Process (ATCP) technology using a modified High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) tank reactor integrated with a waste mitigation system. The research method employed purposive sampling for raw material procurement,  followed by alkaline treatment using 5% (w/v) NaOH solution at a biomass-to-solution ratio of 1:10 and a temperature of 60–80°C for 2–3 hours within the reactor. Environmental sustainability was addressed through the application of an active wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) using alum coagulants.  The results showed measurable improvements in the quality characteristics of the Ready-to-Process (RTP) product, with an ash content of 1.24% (based on SIG lab test No. SIGS.LHP.XII.2025.081534511)  and an average dry weight of 8.18 g per thallus compared with 6.97 g per thallus in the control, corresponding to a descriptive difference of 17.4%.  The alum-based WWTP system reduced Total Nitrogen (N-Total) levels by 66.7%, from 1.2 mg/L to 0.4 mg/L, indicating an improvement in N-Total following wastewater treatment. This innovation offers an efficient Green Technopreneurship model for MSMEs to enhance product bargaining power in the food and pharmaceutical industrial markets.