Purple sweet potatoes are a source of anthocyanins, which function as
antioxidants. However, the anthocyanin compounds in purple sweet potatoes are
naturally bound in glycosidic form, limiting their antioxidant potential.
Fermentation is one method to degrade glycosidic bonds to release free
phenolics, thereby enhancing the antioxidant potential of purple sweet
potatoes. This study investigated the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), pH,
total titratable acidity (TTA), phenolic content, anthocyanin levels,
antioxidant activity, and organoleptic quality of sweet potato (Ipomoea
batatas) juice fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum B1765 over 0, 2,
4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 hours. total LAB was measured using the Total Plate
Count method, pH using a pH meter, TTA using acid-base titration, total
phenolics using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, anthocyanin levels using the pH
differential method, and antioxidant activity was measured using the
2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method, expressed as
IC50 values. Purple sweet potato juice fermentation
increased LAB growth to 2.6 x 10^8 CFU/mL, reaching its optimum at 6 hours.
However, until the end of fermentation for 14 hours there was still a decrease
in pH to 3.73, TTA increased to 0.426%, total phenolic content increased to
324.21 mg GAE/g, anthocyanin levels decreased to 13.68 mg/L. and antioxidant
activity increased significantly, with IC50 values indicating solid activity.
The fermentation period also affects the panelists' preferences regarding the
taste, color, and aroma of the product. Panelists prefer the color, taste, and
smell of fermented products. This product meets the Indonesian National
Standard for fermented beverages and has potential as a source of antioxidants.
Keywords: Antioxidant; anthocyanin; Lactobacillus plantarum
B1765; product quality; purple sweet potato juice