EFEKTIVITAS DAUN AFRIKA (Vernonia amygdalina Del) DALAM MEREDUKSI KANDUNGAN FORMALIN DAN KUALITAS FILLET IKAN NILA (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

Formalin sebagai bahan pengawet pada ikan umum digunakan untuk memperpanjang masa simpan, namun penggunaan formalin berdampak buruk bagi kesehatan. Daun Afrika memiliki senyawa saponin yang mampu mereduksi kadar formalin. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui efektivitas perendaman ekstrak daun Afrika (Vernonia amygdalina Del) untuk mereduksi kandungan formalin pada fillet ikan Nila (Oreochromis niloticus). Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap dengan satu faktor yaitu konsentrasi ekstrak daun Afrika (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, dan 5%), dengan 3 kali ulangan. Identifikasi saponin pada ekstrak daun Afrika dianalisis secara kualitatif menggunakan metode Forth. Fillet ikan Nila direndam selam 30 menit ke dalam ekstrak daun Afrika pada masing-masing konsentrasi. Penurunan kadar residu formalin diuji secara kuantitatif menggunakan metode pereaksi Schiff. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak daun Afrika pada konsentrasi 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% teridentifikasi senyawa saponin. Perendaman fillet ikan Nila berformalin ke dalam ekstrak daun Afrika efektif dan berpengaruh positif terhadap reduksi kadar formalin. Konsentrasi ekstrak daun Afrika 5% memiliki kadar formalin terendah sebesar 0,73 mg/Kg masih di bawah ambang batas International Program on Chemical Safety sebesar 1,5–14 mg/Kg, demikian juga kadar abu sebesar 1,04% sesuai dengan mutu ikan segar Standar Nasional Indonesia 01-2354.1-2006 yaitu kurang dari 2%. Formalin used as preservative fish is generally carried out to extend shelf life. However, the use of formalin has an adverse effect on health. Saponin compounds contained in African leaves are able to reduce formalin content. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of immersing African leaf (Vernonia amygdalina Del) extract to reduce the formalin content in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fillets. The experimental design used a completely randomized design with one factor, the concentration of African leaf extract (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%), with three-time replications. Saponin identification in African leaf extract was analyzed qualitatively using the Forth method. Tilapia fillets were immersed for 30 minutes into the African leaf extract at each concentration. The reduction in formalin content was tested quantitatively by Schiff reagent method. The results showed that the African leaf extract at a concentration of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% identified saponin compounds. Immersion of formalin tilapia fillets into African leaf extract was effective and significantly affects reducing formalin content. The concentration of 5% African leaf extract had the lowest formalin content of 0,73 mg/Kg below the threshold of International Program on Chemical Safety 1,5-14 mg/Kg, as well as ash content of 1,04% according to the quality of fresh fish Indonesian National Standard 01-2354.1-2006 is less than 2%.