alang, E Java (ANTARA) - Three students of Brawijaya University in Malang, East Java province, have successfully formulated a tooth-whitening gel from tamarind (Tamarindus indica L).

The development could potentially pave the way for Indonesia to reduce its dependence on imported tooth bleaching products.

The gel has been developed by Ririn Lutvita Sari and Afina Muti'ah Tuhepaly, students from the Faculty of Dentistry at the university, and their colleague Kharisma Ghanyysyafira from the Faculty of Engineering.

The tamarind-based tooth bleaching gel is more effective and safer owing to nanoparticles and the use of natural substances, Ririn Lutvita Sari said in Malang on Thursday.

It can be used for whitening the teeth two or three times a day for about 10 to 20 minutes, she added.

The students' supervisor, Feni Istikharoh, said Indonesia continues to import almost 90 percent of dentistry materials, while it is rich in tamarind.

The tamarind-based whitening gel could be adopted as an alternative product for dentists in Indonesia so that the country can gradually reduce its dependence on imported products, she added. (INE)