Uncaria gambir is a plant native to Indonesia and Malaysia from the Rubiaceae family. It contains high levels of catechin, a polyphenol compound with antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Traditionally in Southeast Asia, extracts from U. gambir leaves and twigs called gambir have been used as remedies for diarrhea and sore throat. Gambir is composed primarily of catechin and other chemical compounds and has potential applications as a food preservative and in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products due to its antioxidant effects.

1. GAMBIR
(Uncaria gambir)
Veronica Dian S (12.70.0018)
Angela Irena (12.70.0034)
William Wibowo (12.70.0052)
Lorentia Santoso (12.70.0078)
Shella Novia (12.70.0096)
Ivana Aprilia P (12.70.0145)
Buddy Kristianto (12.70.00175)

2. Classification
 Kingdom : Plantae
 Division : Angiosperms
 Sub Division : Eudicots
 Class : Asterids
 Ordo : Gentianales
 Family : Rubiaceae
 Genus : Uncaria
 Species : Uncaria gambir

3. Uncaria gambir, a native plant of
Indonesia and Malaysia is a member of
family Rubiaceace and genus Uncaria.
Leaves and young twigs of U. gambir
can be extracted to produce gambir.
Averagely, 76% of gambir is catechin, a
polyphenol compound with flavonoid
structure. As consequence of its
potential as anti oxidant and anti
bacteria, catechin is most likely used as
a raw material of pharmaceutical and
cosmetic product. In Southeast Asia,
gambir is often used as remedies for
diarrhea and sore throat.

4. Chemical Compounds of
Gambir
 Catechin
 Catechu Tannat Acid anhydride
 Pyrocatechol
 Flouresensi Gambir
 Quersetin
 Alkaloids in Uncaria 7 kinds, namely
dihydro gambirtaninna, gambirdina,
gambirtanina, gambirina,
isogambirina, auroparina,
oksogambirtanin.

5. Application in food and
beverage
Preservative
Opak

6. References
Zamarel dan E.A. Hadad. 1991. Budi Daya
Tanaman Gambir. Edisi Khusus Penelitian
Tanaman Rempah dan Obat 7 (2) : 7-11.
Ghayur, M, N., Khan H., Gilani, A, H. (2007).
Antispasmodic, Bronchodilatorand Vasodilator
Activities of (+)-Catechin, a
NaturallyOccurringFlavonoid. ArchPharmRes Vol
30, No 8, 970-975.
Hariana, Drs. H. Arief. (2006). Tumbuhan Obat dan
Khasiatnya seri 3. Penebar Swadaya, Jakarta:
86-87.
Apea-Bah, F. B. et al. 2009. Assessment of the
DPPH and α-glucosidase Inhibitory Potential of
Gambier and Qualitative Identification of Major
Bioactive Compound. Journal of Medicinal Plants
Research Vol. 3(10): 736-757.