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Article Details

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): August

Effect of Fermented Biofertilizer Dosage on Protein, Vitamin, and Heavy Metal Content in Spinach

https://doi.org/10.35912/asaf.v1.n1.p1-13.2026

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the effects of fermented liquid biofertilizer dosage on protein, vitamins, and heavy metal content in fresh spinach (Amaranthus sp.)

Research Methodology: A completely randomized design was used with an untreated control and six biofertilizer dosage levels (P0 to P5, six replicates each), analyzed in duplicate.

Results: Protein rose from 1.15 to 2.07 g/100 g from control to the highest dosage. Vitamin A rose from 6,157.40 to 7,403.96 SI/100 g, and vitamin C rose from 80.61 to 99.83 mg/100 g. Lead fell from 0.0194 to 0.0018 mg/kg, and cadmium fell from 0.0054 to 0.0018 mg/kg.

Conclusions: Increasing biofertilizer dosage was associated with higher protein and vitamin content and lower Pb and Cd content, indicating a favorable dual effect on nutritional quality and food safety.

Limitations: The study was a single-cycle trial without soil chemical characterization, and the mechanism linking dosage to reduced heavy metal uptake was not directly measured.

Contributions: The study provides dose-response evidence supporting fermented biofertilizer application as a practical strategy for improving nutritional value and food safety of leafy vegetables in smallholder systems.

Keywords

Biofertilizer Cadmium Food Safety Lead Protein Content

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Authors

Vikto Agus Wibowo
Universitas Muhammadiyah Metro, Lampung, Indonesia

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Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): August
Section: Articles
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