Lamongan, May 27, 2025 — Muhammadiyah University of Lamongan (UMLA) has once again achieved a proud achievement in research. One of the lecturers in the Biology Study Program, Mr. M. Ainul Mahbubillah, M.Si, has successfully received funding for the 2025 Research and Community Service Program organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek).

In this program, M. Ainul Mahbubillah, M.Si, serves as the research team leader, with the following members: Muhammad Badrut Tamam, M.Si from Muhammadiyah University of Lamongan (UMLA) Faridah Tsuraya, M.Si from Muhammadiyah University of Palangkaraya

Their research is entitled: "Isolation and Characterization of Cyanobacteria and Actinobacteria Carrying the geoA and tpc Genes That Cause Soil Flavor in Ponds with a Rice-Pond System."

This research focuses on the exploration of microorganisms that cause off-flavors in pond products, particularly in the rice-pond system widely used in coastal areas of Indonesia. Cyanobacteria and actinobacteria suspected of carrying the genes geoA (geosmin synthase) and tpc (2-methylisoborneol synthase) are the primary targets for isolation and characterization in this study. According to M. Ainul Mahbubillah, the results of this research are expected to make a significant contribution to improving pond water quality and the quality of aquaculture products, particularly in the integrated pond systems widely used by coastal communities. "We want to produce a database of microorganisms that cause off-flavors, as well as mitigation strategies based on environmental biotechnology," he said. This achievement demonstrates UMLA's commitment to supporting innovative, applicable research that has a real impact on society, particularly in the fields of environmental biology and sustainable fisheries. The UMLA Rector expressed his high appreciation for the research team's success and hoped that this research would become a strategic step in the development of science and community service.