Eco enzyme production from fruit and vegetable waste using yeast and its application in hydroponic cultivation of <i>Ipomoea aquatica</i>

Abstract Eco enzyme is a solution produced from the fermentation of fresh fruit and vegetable waste. In this study, eco enzyme was made from the mixture of fruit and vegetable waste with varying amounts of yeast (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 g). The fermentation process lasted four weeks, and the nutrients in the eco enzyme were analysed using the Kjeldahl method, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), and UV-Vis Spectrophotometry. Eco enzyme was applicated to Ipomoea aquatica in Hydroponic Cultivation. The resulting eco enzyme had an acidic pH of 4. The highest values for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), zinc (Zn), and organic carbon (C-organic) were found in the eco enzyme produced with 40 g of yeast (EE5), with values of 0.16%, 0.05%, 0.73%, 8.06 mg/L, and 2.09%, respectively. The application of eco enzyme positively affected the growth of Ipomoea aquatica , resulting in plants with 13 leaves, a height of 26 cm, and a weight of 1.81 g. The growth effect of the eco enzyme solution as a planting medium for hydroponic Ipomoea aquatica was higher compared to the negative control but still lower than the positive control (AB Mix).