Anthocyanin activity red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) peel as immunostimulan in the covid-19 pandemic era

Background: Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) are generally self-limiting diseases
that rely on immune power. Certain food nutrients can be essential in maintaining
health and boosting the immune system. One of the nutrients that can maintain
and boost the immune system is a flavonoid, which is found in the peel of the red
dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus). The red dragon fruit peel is rich in
polyphenols and anthocyanins-flavonoid, which are sources of antioxidants.
Dragon fruit peel waste is developed and processed into innovative food in the
formَّofَّ“bakpao”َّasَّaَّsourceَّofَّnutritionَّandَّaddsَّtoَّtheَّpublic'sَّattractiveness,َّ
which is then labelled the product "Dragon Pao". Purpose: To help people choose
food innovations that can help them increase their immunity in the Covid-19
pandemic era. Methods: This study uses a laboratory study with a qualitative
approach followed by several tests of substances in the bakpao product from red
dragon fruit peel. The intended tests are organoleptic, hedonic, and anthocyanin
tests. The total number of panellists used for the hedonic test was 20 people in the
Malang area. Panellists were randomly selected and came from various age
groups. The hedonic test was carried out using a google form through a
questionnaire. Result: The results of the organoleptic test obtained a soft texture, a
distinctive smell of meatballs, a pink colour, and a sweet taste. Hedonic test
results obtained 80-90% of respondents' answers are in the options like and really
like. Then in the anthocyanin test, the dragon fruit peel was positive for
anthocyanin.َّ Conclusion:َّ Dragonَّ Pao”َّ haveَّ theَّ potentialَّ toَّ beَّ aَّ nutraceuticalَّ
product as an immunostimulant in the Covid-19 pandemic era that all people like.
Consumption of "Dragon Pao" is an option to increase the body's immunity as an
effort to prevent exposure to Covid-19