Effectiveness Test of Red Dragon Fruit Skin (Hylocereus costaricensis jack) as Natural Preservation for Nila Fish (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

Indonesia is a tropical country, many plants suspected as potential antimicrobial so it can used as natural preservatives, one of all is red dragon fruit peel. Red dragon fruit (Hylocereus costaricensis jack) production now has been increasing. So, dragon fruit skin contributes as environmental trash so it must used as a natural preservative. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the red dragon fruit peel extract (Hylocereus costaricensis jack) used as a natural preservative in tilapia, to determine the characteristics and duration of tilapia storage after being given red dragon fruit peel extract consisting of three types of contractor ( water, ethanol and acetate), after getting the best results, applied it to fish whether it affects the shelf life of tilapia (L₀, L₁, L₃, L₅).. The research method used is a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factorial. The parameters tested were microbiology, proximate and organoleptic quality tests. The yield of 1% ethyl acetate is the best and the safest solution to be applied to tilapia. TPC in tilapia that have been preserved 1% dragon fruit peel extract is 3.53 × 10¹ (L₀) and 5.10×10¹ (L₃). TVB levels in preserved tilapia were 67 mgN / 100g (L₀) and 25.02 mgN / 100g (L₅). Fish protein content from 18.5% (L₁) to 15.10% (L₅). Water content from L₁ 78.1% to L₃ 81%. Based on results it can conclude that red dragon fruit peel extract contains various bioactive compounds: alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and tannins. The best solvent for binding active compounds is ethanol but the best for food products is ethylacetate.