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Beneng taro leaves (Xanthosoma undipes K. Koch) are Banten's local biodiversity, which has recently been used as a substitute for tobacco in cigarettes. The availability of this commodity is abundant along with increased the planted area. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate other potency such as functional activities and also their phytochemical profiles which have not reported yet. One of importance factors that influencing functional and phytochemical profiles is the polarity of extraction solvent. The purpose of this study was to analyze the chemical profile and free radical scavenging activity of beneng taro leaves extracted with various polarities solvent. The leaves extraction was carried out using non-polar, semi-polar and polar solvents, namely hexane, chloroform, acetone and water. Their phytochemical profile was conducted by analyzing total phenolic content and FTIR spectrum, while functional activities by determining free radical scavenging activity. The results showed that the highest phenolic content was obtained from chloroform extract, while the free radical scavenging activity (IC50) was acquired from acetone extract with values of 11.24 mg GAE/g and 36.83 µg/ml, respectively. The FTIR spectrum of the hexane, chloroform, and acetone extract of beneng taro leaves had similar profiles, while the water extract was different.

Beneng taro is an indigenous tuber that grows in Pandeglang, Banten. People of Pandeglang only use it in form of fried and steamed. The weakness of beneng taro is the oxalate content is very high, to reduce it, people of Pandeglang soak it in 1% salt solution for 1 hour. Another effort to utilize beneng taro that has been done is to process it into flour. Beneng taro contains functional compounds including carotenoid pigments and dietary fiber. The use of beneng taro in food can increase product functionality and as a form of food diversification. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding beneng taro flour to muffins on the physical and sensory characteristics. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with one factor, namely the concentration of substituted beneng taro flour (0%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%). This research was carried out in two duplicates. The result of this research are the increase of beneng taro flour substitution in muffins decrease the expansion ratio, water content, lightness (L*) of the crust and crumb, a* chromaticity of the crust, b* chromaticity of the crust and crumb, hue (oh) of the crust and crumb, and sensory acceptance. However, The increase of beneng taro flour substitution increased density of dough, density of muffin, and a* chromaticity of the crumb. Based on the results of sensory analysis, the muffin formula substituted with 15% beneng taro flour was the best formula because it was close to the control muffin.

This research aims to identify the effects of the administration of a black rice bran diet on colorectal cancer in dextran sodium sulfate and azoxymethane-induced BALB/c mice. The research was conducted on three groups consisting of eight Balb/c mice: two groups were fed with carcinogens, and the third group, referred to as the normal group, was supplied with Isotonic NaCl 0.9% intraperitoneally. One group fed with carcinogens was supplied a standard AIN 1993 M diet modified with black rice bran as a substitute of fibre source, while the other two mice groups were fed the standard diet (AIN-93M) containing cellulose fibre. At the 17th week, all mice were euthanized; their colonic sections were taken for histopathological evaluation, and cecum for short-chain fatty acids concentration, total lactic acid bacteria, pH and β-glucuronidase activity evaluations. The results show an increase in the total lactic acid bacteria and short-chain fatty acids in the mice group fed with rice bran. Consequently, pH value and β-glucuronidase activity had decreased. Histopathological evaluation of mucosal tissue exhibited inhibition of the tumor growth rate in the mice groups fed rice bran compared to the group supplied with the standard diet. Furthermore, the proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression had decreased significantly, while expression of caspase-8 and caspase-3 had increased notably, in the group fed with a rice bran diet. These results suggest that black rice bran can effectively inhibit colon carcinogenesis. The potential of black rice bran as a source of fibre has not been studied in detail regarding the inhibition mechanism of colorectal cancer cells; further investigation in this field could provide valuable information about new strategies to prevent colorectal cancer. This strand of research is very important to developing preventive methods against cancer and promoting the concept of healthy products, including functional foods.

Geographically, the province of Banten is surrounded by the ocean so that the area is rich in processed fish products such as milkfish satay, shredded milkfish, and bontot. Bontot is a Banten’s local food made from payus fish which is considered to be lacking in development. This can be seen mainly in terms of the production process which is still very simple and does not apply good manufacturing practices (GMP). The purpose of this research is to help producer to understand and apply GMP so that the quality of bontot products can be better. The research method used is by conducting a survey using the intensive interview method. The results show that some producers have not implemented GMP in their production process, so that the preparation of the HACCP draft is considered important to assist producers in the production process. Of the several raw materials and production processes that constitute CCP are fish, the process of receiving raw materials, packaging, and storage. Preventive and corrective actions are needed to minimize these hazards. Thus, the mentoring process needs to be carried out in implementing the HACCP that has been prepared to ensure the quality and food safety of the bontot product.

Color is quality attribute that is usually used by consumer as first assessment to choose the food product. However, food processing is one of process which can degrade the food’s color, so the colorant is usually added. On this era, consumer tend to choose food products that have functional benefit. One of natural colorant which has it is carotenoids. Carotenoids gives red, orange, and yellowish. Carotenoids are divided into two groups, carotene and xanthophyll. Carotene consists of α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, and lycopene. Meanwhile, xanthophyll consists of β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, fucoxanthin, and peridinin. This pigment is lipophilic so it can dissolve in oils and organics solvents and is quite resistant to heating, however it can be very easily degraded in acidic, light, and oxygen condition. Beside act as colorant, this pigment can act as antioxidant and provitamin A. The source of carotenoids is widely spread in flowers, fruits, tubers, leaves, and fruit peels. Extraction of this pigment can be done in three ways, there are maceration extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and enzymatic extraction.

High demand of flour import for food applications was a big threaten for food security in Indonesia. The utilization of carbohydrate sources from local food plants can be an alternative to overcome this problem. Beneng taro is a local food from Pandeglang, Banten Province that potential to be used as composite flour. The application of food products, Beneng taro can be used as starch. The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of Beneng taro starch on the amylographic profile of the granules and their morphology. The extraction method used is wet extraction using distilled water. The ratio of taro and distilled water used is 1: 3. The optimum formulation (1: 3) was then tested for morphological properties using SEM instrument and amylograph profile using RVA instrument. SEM test results showed uniform starch granules and polygon-shaped granules. The amylographic profile shown a maximum viscosity of 1075cP with a temperature of 92.4oC at 270 seconds, a set back value of 186 cP and a break down of 214 cP. Based on the amylographic profile, beneng taro starch still has many weaknesses (large set back and break down) so it needs to be modified so that it can be applied to food products.

On this era, people very concern to their food. The first sensory quality which is seen to choose the food are the color. However, during food processing is often occurred the color degradation, so the colorant is added to the food. Today, natural colorant is consumer’s selection because it has functional function. One of natural colorant is anthocyanin. Anthocyanin gives red, blue, and purple color. Anthocyanin has different types, it is depended to sugar and hydroxyl which bounded into structure. The types are pelargonidin, malvidin, cyanidin, delphinidin, petunidin, and peonidin. This pigment is stable on acid condition, away from light and oxygen, cold temperature, and away from polyphenol oxidase enzyme. Beside as colorant, anthocyanin also act as antioxidant because the structure is very reactive. The consequences of having antioxidant activity, anthocyanin can prevent cardiovascular disease, cholesterol, atherosclerosis, or colon cancer by blocking fat oxidation and DNA mutation. Anthocyanin source is very broad like from flowers, fruits, tubers, or fruit peels.