Civet coffee has been known as the most expensive coffee in the world. Its high prices are mainly contributed by its uncommon production method. Civet coffee is produced from the coffee beans which have been digested by Asian palm civet or Luwak (Paradoxorus hermaprodites). Civet coffee production is very limited due to its processing is merely depends on civet biologic system. Unfortunately, reliable information on civet microbial digestive is still limited. The aim of this research is to evaluate cup (sensory) and microbial quality of wild and caged civet coffee. Samples of wild and caged civet coffee obtained from Bener Meriah District, Aceh, Indonesia. Sensory quality parameters consist of fragrance, aroma, flavour, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance, uniformity, clean cups, sweetness and overall. Microbial quality was done by enumeration of lactic acid bacteria. The results showed that wild and caged civet coffee relatively had similar profile sensory and microbial characteristics. The score cupping of wild civet coffee is slightly higher than caged civet coffee. Aroma and flavour characteristics of wild and caged civet coffee were herby, nutty, grassy tobacco-like, fishy and sweet but there were over fruity-papaya and guava-like aroma and flavour of caged civet coffee. The lactic acid bacteria count on wild and caged civet were 5.8 x 10 8 cfu/ml and 3,8 x10 8 cfu/ml. Three different colonies from MRS media were isolated and submitted to gram and catalase test. All isolates showed gram-positive and catalase negative. The result confirmed that most colonies are lactic acid bacteria group. Two isolates (ICF 1 and ICF 3) showed proteolytic activity, and isolated ICF 1 showed the largest zone of clearance of 15 mm. Further investigation is required for identification and selection of performance lactic acid bacteria for artificial civet coffee fermentation.

No abstract

Industrial demands for enzymes that are stable in a broad range of conditions are increasing. Such enzymes, one of which is α-amylase, could be produced by extremophiles. This study reports a thermostable α-amylase produced by a newly isolated Geobacillus sp. nov. from a geothermal area. The phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that the isolate formed a separate branch with 95% homology to Geobacillus sp. After precipitation using ammonium sulphate followed by ion-exchange chromatography, the enzyme produced a specific activity of 25.1 (U/mg) with a purity of 6.5-fold of the crude extract. The molecular weight of the enzyme was approximately 12.2 kDa. The optimum activity was observed at 75 °C and pH 8. The activity increased in the presence of Ba 2+ and Fe 2+ but decreased in the presence of K + and Mg 2+ . Ca 2+ and Mn 2+ increased the activity slightly. The activity completely diminished with the addition of Cu 2+ . EDTA and PMSF also sharply reduced enzyme activity. Although the stability was moderate, the low molecular weight could be an important feature for its future applications.

No abstract

Kopi luwak, is an Indonesian exotic coffee, is known as one of most popular coffee in the world. This coffee is prepared from the finest and ripest coffee berries that are eaten by Asian civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), cat like-animal. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical attributes of kopi luwak both in green and roasted coffee bean. This study conducted by collecting the six samples of kopi luwak from different farms in Gayo Highland, which then processed onto green and roasted coffee beans. The examined parameters are protein, lipid, caffeine and chlorogenic acids. The results of this study showed that the differences existed in chemical attributes of green and roasted of Gayo kopi luwak. The average contents of lipid, protein, caffeine and chlorogenic acids of Gayo arabica kopi luwak in green bean were 12.30%, 13.36%, 1.20% and 3.73%, while in roasted bean were 14.79%, 13.66%, 1.10% and 0.88% respectively. To be conclude with, lipids and caffeine survived during thermal treatments in roasting process, meanwhile chlorogenic acids and protein (N-compunds) are degraded and formed smaller fragments with lower molecular weights.