ABSTRACT: The herbal tonic is
a product made from natural ingredients processed in traditional ways. A traditional
herb made from Temu Ireng (Curcuma aeruginosa) is a kind of herb that still
consumed by relatively many Indonesian citizens for enhanching appetite and
acid turmeric often consumed by female for reducing the problems when they get
haid. However, bacteria and fungi might grow in this traditional herb because
of contaminated water (the diluting agent) and moisture, hygiene and sanitation
factors. This study, therefore, was intended to find out the quantities and the
species of these bacteria and fungi growing in the herb as it is sold in Gajah
Mungkur district of Semarang City. This study also intended to compare these
quantities to the prevailing standard stipulated. The samples for this study
were taken from 36 producers Temu Ireng and acid turmeric herb, located in
Gajah Mungkur District. The medium used for growing the material in an aerobic
manner was PCA (Plate Count Agar), that used for growing in an anaerobic manner
were TSA (Tripticase Soya Agar) and that used for growing the fungi were PDA (Potato
Dextrose Agar). For counting the bacteria, we used the method of Standard Plate
Count, for identifying the bacteria we used Gram Painting and chemical tested,
and for identifying the fungi we used a 100-times amplifying microscope. The
analysis showed in the sample Temu Ireng and acid turmeric are the average
number of bacteria at the aerobic media were 7,4 x 106 and 2,1 x 105 CFU/ml,
the average number of bacteria at the anaerobic media were 4,2 x 102 and 4,3 x
102 CFU/ml, the average number of fungi were 1,5 x 102 and 1,0 x 102 CFU/ml.
The aerobic bacteria found in the study were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia
coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the anaerobic bacteria was
peptococcus, and the fungi were Penisillium, Moniliaceae, A. niger, dan
Rhizopus. Nearly all samples examined in this study did not meet the conditions
based on statement Indonesia Minister of Health No 661/MENKES/SK/VII/1994
because they exceeded the upper limit bacteria (104 CFU/ml) and also contain
pathogenic bacterias. However, the number of fungi did not exceed the
prevailing standard.
Keywords: Temu Ireng Herb,
Acid Turmeric Herbs, Bacteria Number and Fungi Number
Penulis: Maulita cut nuria, Yeni
lutfiani, Sulasmi, Sumantri
Kode Jurnal: jpfarmasidd080020
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