Xylocarpus granatum as a powder with high SPF

Xylocarpus granatum, commonly known as Nyiri, is a medium-sized evergreen or deciduous tree 22 m high and 1 m in diameter. You may also find trees with buttress roots. The root system is often found in the form of the surface of respiratory roots or ribbon-shaped roots. The bark is cracked or scaly. The plant even has feather-like compound leaves, and the mother sits on alternating stems (alternates). 

There are 23 pairs of leaves. The leaflet is oval or oval (breech), 417 cm long, and 29 cm wide. Capsicum, smooth wood, up to 25 cm in diameter, contains 6-18 seeds. The seeds are rectangular, up to 6 cm long, brown. The Xylocarpus granatum grows in tidal riverbanks, mangrove linings, and other brackish water environments that are not too salty. Often grow in large groups. In Indonesia, it is distributed in Java, Madura, Bali, Karim Java Islands, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Marc, Sumba and Irian Jaya. 

This plant is commonly used as a building material for boats due to its small size, and the bark is collected due to its high tannin content. These tannins are commonly used as preservatives such as nets, adhesives, and textile dyes. It turns out that this kind of mangrove has other uses as well. A study conducted by IPB researcher Linawati Hardjito demonstrates the benefits of mangrove seeds in protecting human skin from sunburn. 

The use of mangrove seeds as sunscreen has been practiced by the Bugis people for many years. South Sulawesi, the Bugis people who use mangrove seeds to protect their skin from sunburn, is not alone. In the Ternate community, mangrove seeds are used as an extract to prevent cervical cancer. Mangrove Fruit Mangrove seeds contain antioxidants and active ingredients to protect the skin from UV rays. Flavonoid and tannin content can prevent skin cancer caused by frequent exposure to the sun. 

Mangrove seeds are processed into extracts and other additives used as sunscreen creams. Mangrove seed extract contains sunscreen filter (SPF) 22. On the other hand, the minimum SPF of the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) for sunscreen is 15. Therefore, sunscreen made from mangrove is more than enough to protect the skin from sunburn. Sunscreen cream is skin-like in color and contains no preservatives. It smells like a mangrove. The seed extract also contains polar and non-polar components, so it can be used daily or during swimming.