Bioprospecting of Teki Grass Tubers (Cyperus rotundus L.) as a Natural Probiotic: Development of STEM-PjBL-Based Pharmacognosy Modules to Enhance Entrepreneurship and Creative Thinking of Vocational Pharmacy Students

Abstract

 The exploration of local biodiversity in science education has become essential for fostering sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the 21st century. Cyperus rotundus L. (teki grass) is a medicinal plant with well-documented antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Its tubers contain bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, which demonstrate potential as natural probiotics. Despite its pharmacological value, its integration into pharmacognosy education remains limited. This study aims to develop a pharmacognosy module based on STEM-Project Based Learning (STEM-PjBL) using C. rotundus as a contextual case study. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using Scopus-indexed articles (2009–2025) to investigate the potential of C. rotundus, dominant bioactive compounds, and their relevance in biomedical and pharmaceutical applications. Findings indicate growing research interest in ethnopharmacology and sustainability integration within education, particularly in recent years. The STEM-PjBL framework provides students with hands-on experience in bioprospecting while enhancing entrepreneurship, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Incorporating C. rotundus in pharmacognosy modules strengthens contextual learning, promotes sustainable innovation, and bridges traditional knowledge with modern science education. This study highlights the opportunities and challenges of integrating natural product bioprospecting into vocational pharmacy curricula and recommends further empirical research to optimize its educational impact.