KARAKTERISASI BAKTERI ASAL SALURAN PENCERNAAN DEPAN, TENGAH, DAN BELAKANG CACING NIPAH (Namalycastis rhodochorde) BERDASARKAN PEWARNAAN GRAM

Abstract

Nypa palm worms (Namalycastis rhodochorde) are cultivated as raw material for aquaculture feed. Their quality depends on factors including digestive tract bacteria, which may be symbiotic, pathogenic, or opportunistic. Pathogenic bacteria are predominantly Gram-negative, making Gram staining a useful initial step to assess bacterial pathogenicity. This study sampled healthy worms, isolated bacteria using pour and streak plate methods, and performed Gram staining with crystal violet and safranin. Results showed 59 of 75 isolates were Gram-negative, and 16 were Gram-positive. In the digestive tract, Gram-negative isolates numbered 24 (front), 16 (middle), and 19 (rear), while Gram-positive isolates numbered 7, 4, and 5, respectively. The study concluded that Gram-negative bacteria outnumber Gram-positive bacteria throughout the digestive tract. While Gram staining can indicate potential pathogenicity, further tests are needed to confirm bacterial pathogenic properties.