Efektivitas Daun Jati (Tectona grandis Linn. f) Sebagai Pewarna Alami Pada Feses Terkonfirmasi Helminthiasis Dengan Metode Freeze Drying

Helminthiasis is a parasitic infection caused by worms, particularly Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH), and remains a health problem in developing countries. Diagnosis of helminthiasis is generally performed through microscopic examination of feces using 2% eosin as the gold standard. However, eosin is carcinogenic and produces waste that is not environmentally friendly, necessitating safer natural dye alternatives. Teak leaves (Tectona grandis Linn. f.) contain natural pigments in the form of anthocyanins and flavonoids that have the potential to be used as biological dyes, especially when processed using a freeze-drying method that can maintain pigment stability. Objective: This study aims to determine the effectiveness of freeze-dried teak leaf powder solution as a natural dye in identifying Soil Transmitted Helminths eggs. Methods: This study is a laboratory experimental study with variations in the concentration of freeze-dried teak leaf powder solution at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. The samples were feces confirmed to be infected with helminthiasis. Eosin 2% was used as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control. The effectiveness of staining was assessed by three assessors using a Likert scale based on the parameters of staining effectiveness, visualization of parasite structure, and staining quality. The data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk, Levene, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: All concentrations of teak leaf powder solution produced good staining results with maximum median and mode values across all parameters and results comparable to 2% eosin. The Kruskal–Wallis test showed no statistically significant differences between concentrations in terms of staining effectiveness (p=0.084), visualization of parasite structure (p=0.059), and staining quality (p=0.416). Results: Freezedried teak leaf powder solution is effective as a natural dye in identifying Soil Transmitted Helminths eggs and has the potential to be a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative to 2% eosin