Feasibility Assessment of an Encapsulated Longevity Spinach (Gynura procumbens L.) Extract Plant in Indonesia

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(9), 4093; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11094093

Received: 15 March 2021 / Revised: 17 April 2021 / Accepted: 24 April 2021 / Published: 30 April 2021

The rise of globalization in recent years has favored the adoption of unhealthy lifestyles for many people, increasing their likelihood of diseases with silent symptoms. Longevity spinach (Gynura procumbens L.) is a medicinal plant that has strong phenolic compounds which could act as natural antioxidants to reduce the chance of contracting severe silent diseases. This study was focused on the feasibility of an affordable herbal supplement manufacturing plant using longevity spinach with a water solvent. Production simulation was carried out using SuperPro Designer v.9.0, and an estimated annual production of 26,082 bottles was analyzed based on several economic parameters. The production process for herbal supplements from longevity spinach extract consisted of leaf-washing, drying, and grinding, as well as active compound extraction from leaves with water, filtration, evaporation, freeze-drying, and encapsulation. For 30 encapsulated herbal supplements, prices started from USD 22.8/bottle, and the designed production plant was economically feasible (PBP = ±17 months, IRR = 91.65%, and NPV = USD 3,972,653.13). It can be concluded that encapsulated longevity spinach water extract could become an affordable herbal supplement, with feasible manufacturing for further investment activity.

Keywords: silent diseases; longevity spinach; herbal supplement; plant design; viability