Identification of Contaminant Fungi on Pedetan, an Dry Fish Product of Lemuru (Sardinella lemuru)

Abstract Dry fish products of Lemuru (Sardinella lemuru) known in Bali under the name "pedetan" is one kind of dried seasoned processed products that is quite popular among the people of Bali, especially in Jembrana Regency. In general the process is done through drying lemuru fish in the sun so it is possible for them to grow and develop the contaminant fungi that may affect the health of consummers. This study aims to isolate and identify fungi that contaminate pedetan. Pedetan samples were taken from 10 villages which are the pedetan production centers in Jembrana Regency. The identification was done macroscopically, microscopically, and molecularly through analysis of 18S rRNA gene. The results of this study indicate that there are four types of fungi that are found as contaminants of pedetan, namely Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus aculeatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus tubingensis. Efforts are needed to improve the composition of spices in order to maximally reduce the population of contaminant fungi in pedetan.