Porang as Future Staple Food, Is It Possible?

In the beginning of our systematic review journey, we were presented with the topic of "Porang (glucomannan) for food security". Understanding the global challenges surrounding food scarcity and the pressing need for sustainable food sources, our primary aim was to delve into the potential of porang as a glucomannan source and its role in addressing food security concerns. 

To establish a well-defined research objective, our group engaged in extensive discussions and thorough literature reviews. Through this process, we aimed to identify gaps in existing knowledge and develop targeted research questions. 

Key considerations include assessing the nutritional value and glucomannan content of porang to assess its viability as an alternative food source. Our objective became centered around addressing the specific questions surrounding nutrition value, growing conditions, and the potential usage of porang in food. 

From this initial stage of creating a systematic review, we learned a lot about the different working styles of the group members. Some of us prefer to work in the morning, while others perform better at night. To accommodate this difference, we picked a time when we could discuss our idea for the systematic review, divide the tasks to do on our own time, and set a deadline for each task.

After deciding the research objectives, we discussed relevant keywords that will be used in the literature search, using both Bahasa Indonesia and English with their synonyms. We decided to use databases such as Google Scholar, Garuda, Taylor & Francis, Science Direct, and Wiley Online Journal. As we moved to the literature search, we faced the challenging task of navigating a complex network of databases and the perplexing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flowchart. 

At first, we didn't really understand the importance of using PRISMA in the review. We just searched our string of keywords in the database without using a management tool to keep track of the journals we used. This was a misstep that prevented us from extracting data from the journals systematically. From this experience, we finally used Zotero to manage our data.

As first-time users, we were bewildered by how Zotero works and went through many trials and errors, even after watching a series of tutorials. At this stage, we felt dejected and a bit helpless. We also went into serious denial about whether our choices were correct or not. But then we were thrilled when we finally figured out how to use Zotero efficiently after countless attempts. The use of this management tool greatly helps us organize the research data and create our PRISMA flowchart.

In our data extraction stage, we encountered an extensive pool of studies that revolved around our selected keywords. Finding the perfect research journals with the exact data points we sought to include in our systematic review proved to be the biggest challenge we faced. Our journey involved meticulously sifting through numerous journals, eliminating some from our list based on factors such as unrelated topics and inadequate data. We found this stage to be particularly monotonous and frustrating, many of the journals didn't contain any of the data we needed. 

Despite the hardship, we were overjoyed when we finally found the journals that contained the perfect extraction data we needed. We eventually gathered all the extraction data required through unyielding persistence. This stage also reminded us of the importance of time management. Being a student who also has other responsibilities, there were times when we felt our plates were too full. But through words of encouragement and teamwork, we were able to keep going and finish our work.

As a group working on our systematic review, we utilized a randomized approach to assign tasks among ourselves. We were grateful to have members who showed great initiative and willingly took up responsibilities based on their individual strengths and interests. While our progress may be considered slow, we take pride in the fact that we are steadily moving forward with unwavering determination. Though our group dynamic is not yet perfect, it remains a valuable work in progress. Through continued practice and experience from assignments, we believe our efficiency will improve over time, bringing us closer to an ideal state.

Throughout the process, we encountered many mistakes in our assignments, which then required revision after revision. Additionally, we experienced moments of exhaustion while working on these tasks, partly due to other imminent deadlines. Initially, we may have found the assignments and revisions to be complicated factors, but as we progressed, we realized that the purpose of assignments is to provide structure and organize our systematic review process.