Tapai is a well-known indigenous fermented alcoholic beverage among Kadazan-Dusun-Murut (KDM) ethnics during festive occasions and gatherings in East Malaysia. Unfortunately, very little research has been done on this beverage. The objective of this study was to identify functional microfloras involved in the production of tapai. Samples from local producers were obtained for microbiological and proximate analysis. The fermentation process was predominated by yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with initial numbers (CFU/g) of 10 5 and 10 6 , respectively, which gradually increased during the first 2 weeks fermentation but decreased thereafter. The yeasts were identified as Sacchromyces cerevisiae, Candida krusei, C. pelliculosa, C. guillermondii, C. magnoliae and Rhodotorula glutinis, whereas the LAB were Lactobacillus brevis, L. plantarum, L. collinoides and Pediococcus sp. Moulds and Enterobacteriaceae were only present during the first 2 days of fermentation. Acetic acid bacteria were not detected throughout the entire process. The pH of tapai declined slowly from 6.6 to 3.4 in 14 days, and then showed an increment to 4.0. On the other hand, titratable acidity (as % lactic acid) increased from 0.06 to 0.86 in 10 days, and then decreased to 0.82 at the end of the fermentation process. Alcohol was produced and the content can reach as high as 12.3% after 3 weeks fermentation. Proximate composition analysis showed that the moisture content in the end product was 61.8±6.1% whereas ash, protein, fat and crude fiber (of dried samples) were 0.50±0.1%, 8.7±0.1%, 0.29±0.01% and 0.56±0.03%, respectively.

BACKGROUND: Antioxidants are natural ingredients that can block the oxidation process of free radicals that enter the body so that damage to body cells can be prevented. Kawista plants are one of the plants that have antioxidant activity. AIM: This article review aims to determine the compounds that have antioxidant activity found in Kawista plants, the method used in testing antioxidants on Kawista plants, and the IC50 value found in antioxidant testing on Kawista plants. METHODS: The method used in this study is the Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcome method through inclusion and exclusion criteria using the keywords “Antioxidant activity of Limonia acidissima,” “Antioxidant activity of Feronia limonia,” “Antioxidant activity of Kawista,” “Testing Antioxidants in L. acidissima,” and “L. acidissima” with databases used for literature searches. RESULTS: This review shows that Kawista plants have antioxidant activity of various compounds based on the test method used. CONCLUSION: Compounds in Kawista plants that have antioxidant activity are phenols, especially phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavonols, triterpenoids, saponins, tannins, terpenes, steroids, alkaloids, and glycosides. Kawista plant activity tested had IC50 with an average value of very strong (16.45 g/mL), strong (77.85 g/mL), moderate (135.02 g/mL), weak (196.67 g/mL), and very weak (751.89 g/mL).

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