UJI FORMULASI DAN EVALUASI FISIK PERMEN OSING AMARANTHUS

Abstract

Anaemia remains a significant health issue in Indonesia. According to the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI), the prevalence of anaemia in female adolescents aged 15–24 was 32.0%, indicating that it continues to be a public health concern. One approach to preventing anaemia is through the use of natural food sources rich in iron, such as green spinach (Amaranthus hybridus L.), which is known to have a high iron content. This study aimed to evaluate the formulation of Osing Amaranthus Candy as an alternative iron supplement for anaemia prevention in adolescents using green spinach leaf extract. The research was conducted using an experimental method with two flavour variants (orange and strawberry). Each flavour was formulated with three variations of green spinach extract concentration: F1 (48 ml), F2 (80 ml), and F3 (160 ml). The parameters evaluated were organoleptic tests, a hedonic test (preference test), and a moisture content test according to SNI standards. The results showed that the organoleptic test for F3 yielded the best quality, with a hard texture, deep colour, a sweet and slightly sour taste, and a moisture content of 3.50%, which meets the SNI requirements. The hedonic test, conducted on 50 respondents, indicated that F3 was the most preferred, with a preference level of 57% in the "very much like" category. This study concludes that Osing Amaranthus Candy has the potential to be an innovative product that is not only functional but also more readily accepted by adolescents as an alternative for anaemia prevention.