THE UTILIZATION OF BANANA BLOSSOMS ANTHOCYA-NIN EXTRACT (MUSA SPP) TO IDENTIFY BORAX AND FORMALIN IN DRIED ANCHOVY (STOLEPHORUS SP) FROM THE TRADITIONAL MARKET OF PALU

Abstract

Anthocyanins are red to blue pigments that are widely distributed in plants, one of which is the banana blossoms. This study aims to prove that banana blossoms anthocyanin extract can identify borax and formaldehyde in dried anchovies (Stolephorus sp) from Palu City Traditional Market. The proof was done through a qualitative test by observing the color change of banana blossoms anthocyanin extract on borax positive control, formalin positive control, and negative control as an indication of borax and formalin content in dried anchovies from Palu City Traditional Market. The color change indicates that banana blossoms anthocyanin extract can be used to identify borax and formalin. The color change that occurs is due to a change in the pH of the banana blossoms’ anthocyanin extract. Based on the results of this study, the anthocyanin extract changed color to dark brown red when reacting with borax and changed color to red when reacting with formalin. When the anthocyanin extract was reacted with dried anchovies’ filtrate, it did not show any color change, so dried anchovies from Palu City Traditional Market did not contain borax and formaldehyde. It can be concluded that banana blossoms’ anthocyanin extract can be used to identify borax and formaldehyde in dried anchovies from Palu City Traditional Market as indicated by the color change.