Kualitas Bulir Cairan Caulerpa racemosa yang Disalut dengan Na-Alginat dan Ca-Laktat

Caulerpa racemosa contains fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, sulfated polysaccharides, free sulfates, and minerals so that it can be used as functional food. However, C. racemosa liquid deteriorates easily during storage and transportation, therefore it is necessary to maintain the quality of C. racemosa liquid in encapsulated form as grain. The treatments given in encapsulation process were variation of Na-alginat concentration i.e. 0.4%; 0.6%; and 0.8%, and variation of Ca-lactate solution i.e. 0.4%; 0.6%; and 0.8% which were repeated three times. The aim of the study was to determine the best combination of Na-alginate and Ca-lactate concentrations in maintaining the quality of encapsulated C. racemosa liquid grain. The results showed that C. racemosa liquid contained minerals, dietary fiber and amino acids, both essential and non-essential, with moisture content of 97.77±0.02%. After added with water with a ratio of 1:4, the moisture content of C. racemosa liquid was 99.6%±0.61%. The treatment of Ca-lactate concentration affected the moisture content and ash content of the liquid grain, while the crude fiber content was affected by Na-alginate concentration. The best value based on fiber content was found in the combination treatment of 0.6% Na-alginate and 0.8% Ca-lactate (A6K8) at 4.05%, with moisture content of 97.22% and an ash content of 0.65%.