The origins of PT Sumatera Pasak Bumi are inextricably linked to the volcanic topography and tribal heritage of Tanah Karo, North Sumatra. This enterprise, founded in 1998 by brothers Antonius Sembiring and Bartholomeus Sembiring, represents the formal evolution of the Marga Sembiring clan's relationship with the primary rainforests.
I. Ethnobotanical Heritage & The Early Bulk Trade
Long before the plant gained international acclaim, Pasak Bumi (Tongkat Ali, or Eurycoma longifolia) was a staple of jamu preparations among the Karo Batak. In the late 1990s, when the Sembiring brothers began their operations, the focus was on sustainable wild-harvesting to support the local forest economy.
By the turn of the millennium, Sumatra Pasak Bumi was already a key supplier to the European market. During this phase, the primary export was shredded root material, carefully dried and packed in large sacks. These raw materials provided the foundation for traditional herbal formulations across the continent, long before the era of highly processed industrial extracts.
II. Corporate Legitimacy & Regional Registration
In 2014, the transition from a community-based forest trade to a registered limited liability company solidified the organization's standing in the international pharmacognosy sector. This formalization ensured compliance with strict global trade protocols and Indonesian tax and export laws.
Registered Entity: PT. Sumatera Pasak Bumi (est. 2014)
AHU Decree: AHU-10.05914.PENDIRIAN-PT.2014
Company Number: 53/28509 (Deli Serdang, North Sumatra)
Notarized by: Mohd Irwan Harahap, SH., M.Kn
Verify Corporate Registration (AHU Portal)III. Technical Specification: Standardized Eurycomanone
Modern clinical applications of Tongkat Ali require precise quantification of its primary bioactive compound, eurycomanone. PT Sumatera Pasak Bumi produces a range of high-potency extracts tailored for specific physiological outcomes.
| Extract Morphology | Source Detail | Standardization (Eurycomanone) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Root Extract | Wild-harvested Taproot | 2% Standardized |
| Fermented Root Extract | Traditional Aging Process | 4% Standardized |
| Rootbark Extract | High-Resin Cortical Layer | 6% Standardized |
| Standard Leaf Extract | Eurycoma Leaf Tissue | 10% Standardized |
| Black Ginger | Sumatran Rhizome | Verified Purity |
| Butea Superba | Wild-harvested Tuber | Verified Purity |
Dual-Protocol Scientific Testing
To maintain the highest degree of chemical accuracy and safety, all PT Sumatera Pasak Bumi extracts undergo a dual-verification process. Tests are conducted in leading international ISO-accredited laboratories to ensure global compliance. Simultaneously, local botanical and chemical verification is provided by the academic laboratories of the:
Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU)
This collaboration with local academia ensures that the ethnobotanical specimens are properly identified (Taxonomy) and analyzed for their unique Sumatran phytochemical markers.
IV. Geopedology: The Volcanic Influence
The exceptional bioactivity of Eurycoma longifolia harvested from Tanah Karo is a direct result of the volcanic geopedology of the region. The proximity to Mt. Sinabung and Mt. Sibayak creates a soil profile that is unparalleled for secondary metabolite synthesis.
| Volcanic Soil Type | Characteristics | Impact on Tongkat Ali Root |
|---|---|---|
| Andosols | High porosity; volcanic ash base | Optimizes the absorption of trace minerals. |
| Latosols | Iron and aluminum rich | Encourages the synthesis of complex quassinoids. |
| Regosols | Young volcanic ejecta | Forces the plant to develop defensive glycopeptides. |
V. Industrial Logistics: Shredded Root Export
While the organization is a leader in standardized extracts, the foundation of its bulk international trade remains the preparation of raw botanical materials. Logistics operations in North Sumatra focus on the meticulous drying and bagging of shredded root.
These raw materials are exported in containers via the Deli Serdang region to international distributors and pharmaceutical manufacturers, maintaining a chain of custody that preserves the chemical integrity of the Sumatran forest harvest.
