Potential development of rubber seed (Hevea brasiliensis) as an alternative food in North Bengkulu

Abstract

Rivai RR, Damayanti F, Handayani M. 2015. Potential development of rubber seed (Hevea brasiliensis) as an alternative food in North Bengkulu. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1 (2): 343-346. Sumatra is a regional center for rubber production in Indonesia, including Bengkulu Province. Seeds of rubber trees have not been utilized yet as an alternative food source. Whereas, each rubber tree (4-year old) can produce 0.8-1.2 ton seeds/ha/year. Approximately 57% of the seed’s proportion can be consumed. In addition, the seed also has high nutrition content, especially protein. However, the seeds also contain hydrogen cyanide (HCN) compound which is a toxin for the human. Consequently, the objective of this research was to provide information about the seed processing which would be safe for human consumption. The research was conducted at Giri Mulya Subdistrict, North Bengkulu District, Bengkulu Province. Soaking and boiling were proven to decrease the concentration of HCN within the rubber seed. The safelyprocessed rubber seeds could become various snack food, such as crispy chips, “tempeyek†and “dadar gulung†filler.