Total Plate Count of Turmeric-Tamarind Herbal Medicine Sold in Mojayan Traditional Market, Klaten, Indonesia

This study assessed microbial contamination in turmeric-tamarind herbal medicine (jamu kunyit asam) sold in Mojayan Traditional Market, Klaten, using the Total Plate Count (TPC) method. This descriptive observational study analyzed three samples collected from different vendors. Each sample was diluted, cultured on Plate Count Agar (PCA), and incubated at 37 °C for 24 hours to determine microbial colony counts. The microbial load ranged from 1.92 × 10⁶ to 2.55 × 10⁶ CFU/mL, all below the maximum permissible limit of 5 × 10⁷ CFU/mL as regulated by BPOM (Regulation No. 29 of 2023). These findings indicate that the products are microbiologically safe for consumption. However, further preventive measuresincluding improved hygiene practices, use of clean water, and regular microbial surveillance are recommended to reduce long-term risks, especially for vulnerable populations.