Isolasi dan Evaluasi Aktivitas Antioksidan Strain Bakteri Asam Laktat dari Tempoyak Fermentasi Tradisional Sumatera

Tempoyak is a traditional fermented product made from durian and widely consumed in Sumatra. Tempoyak fermentation involves lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are known to have potential as probiotics and as producers of antioxidant compounds. The tempoyak fermentation process plays an important role in increasing nutritional value and health benefits, primarily due to its ability to produce bioactive compounds such as lactic acid and antioxidants that are beneficial for the human body. This study aims to isolate lactic acid bacteria from local fermented tempoyak from Sumatra and evaluate their potential antioxidant activity. Isolation was carried out using the spread method on MRS agar media, which is specifically designed to support the growth of lactic acid bacteria. Next, the obtained isolates were analyzed based on colony morphology, Gram staining, and catalase test for initial identification of the types of bacteria present in tempoyak. After isolation, selected isolates were tested for antioxidant activity using the DPPH test, which is one method to measure the ability of a compound to neutralize free radicals. Vitamin C was used as a positive control in this test. The results showed that several LAB isolates from tempoyak had varying antioxidant activity, with some isolates showing significant potential. The detected antioxidant activity indicates that LAB isolates from tempoyak have the potential to be applied as probiotics with health benefits and as functional food ingredients that can help prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. This study provides evidence that tempoyak, besides being a traditional food, also has the potential to be further developed in the functional food and probiotic industries. These findings add insight into the potential of traditional fermented products, such as tempoyak, which provide not only culinary benefits but also health benefits.