Seleksi Bakteri Asam Laktat dari Nira Aren [(Arenga pinnata (Wurmb)] Asal Papua Sebagai Kandidat Probiotik

ABSTRACT Palm sap has several nutrients which are suitable to support the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). As a probiotic, LAB have been intensively studied to promote gastrointestinal health in humans and animals. This study aimed to assess the probiotic properties of LAB isolated form [(Arenga pinnata (Wurmb)] palm sap originated from Papua. Several probiotic property test were performed, including antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli InaCC B5 and Bacillus cereus InaCC B9, resistance to bile salts (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%), to low pH (pH 2.5), simulated gastric juice (SGJ) and simulated intestinal juice (SIJ). Further antimicrobial activity was conducted against 12 pathogenic bacteria, followed by characterisation of enzymatic properties, genetic profiles (RAPD-PCR M13 and ERIC-PCR) and molecular identification based on 16S rDNA sequences. The results show that 6 out of 52 isolates obtained from palm sap originated Papua were fulfilled the criteria as probiotic candidates, including able to produce antimicrobial activity (inhibiting 12 pathogenic bacteria) and able to survive when exposured in low pH, bile salt, simulated gastric juice and simulated intestinal juice. Further biochemical test indicate that isolates NP29 and NP34 produce protease and amylase enzymes while isolates NP29, NP33, NP44, NP46, NP57 produce phytase enzymes. Genetic profiling and molecular identification confirm that all isolates classified into three groups, including group 1 (NP29, NP33, NP46,NP57) identified as Lactobacillus plantarum, group 2 (NP34) identified as Lactobacillus casei and group 3 (NP44) identified as Lactobacillus paracasei. Keywords: Lactic acid bacteria, palm sap, Papua, probiotic.