Abstract
Tempeh gembus is a traditional Indonesian prepared from solid tofu waste fermented by Rhizopus oligosporus. It contained some nutritional value and bioactives from fermentation, making tempeh gembus a functional food with variety of health benefits. Previous research had investigated functional properties of tempeh gembus, such as amidolytic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant, as well as proteolytic, fibrinolytic, fibrinogenolytic, and anti-inflammation, which were linked to a variety health benefits, including atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and osteopenia. Tempeh gembus is sometimes underestimated because it is prepared from tofu waste and is frequently consumed by low-income people due to its low cost. Tempeh gembus intake is also low due to a lack of knowledge about its health benefits. This article reviews the health benefits of tempeh gembus as one of Indonesia's local functional foods.
TopIntroduction
Producing tempeh gembus is one approach to achieving sustainable development goal number 2 of reducing hunger, achieving food security, and better nutrition because the main ingredients are formed from the pulp left over after making tofu. Indonesia has an estimated 84,000 tofu manufacturing units (Damanik et al., 2018) that produce roughly 1,024 million tonnes of solid waste and 20 million m3/year of wastewaters having soybean as their main ingredient (Kurniasari et al., 2017). Adding Rhizopus oligosporus to tofu waste resulted in tempeh gembus, which was fermented for many days. Tempeh gembus includes protein, glucose, fiber, calcium, iron, fosfor, essential fatty acids, and bioactive compounds (Afifah et al., 2019a), even though the base material is waste-tofu.
The tempeh gembus fermenting process may lead to nutritional content and bioactive compound alteration. A previous study showed the variety of nutrition composition in soybean, tofu waste, and tempeh gembus. The carbohydrate, fat, and protein content in tempeh gembus are more easily digestible because the tempeh mold creates digestive enzymes. That study also indicated that fermentation may help to improve the fatty acids profile (Damanik et al., 2018).
Tempe gembus provides a variety of health benefits for humans due to its content, which is rich in nutrients and bioactives. Because tempeh gembus contains fibrinolytic enzymes, previous studies investigated its cardiovascular effects. Another study looked at the benefits of tempeh gembus for atherosclerosis, finding that tempeh gembus administration had a favorable association with homocysteine and malondialdehyde, though the correlation was not statistically significant. Another study revealed that tempeh gembus contains three times the fiber level of regular tempeh, which may be helpful to individuals who deal with obesity or diabetes. Another study found that tempeh gembus was positively connected with hyperlipidemia due to its ability to reduce cholesterol when consumed.
Because there is still limited information on tempeh gembus, it is necessary to write an article that explores tempeh gembus so that it can be useful to the community. This review article aims to investigate tempeh gembus nutritional and bioactive content, in addition to its health benefits.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Peptide: A short chain of amino acids that linked by peptide bonds and it can result from protein degradation.
Fibrinolytic: An activity that breakdown fibrin in blood clots.
Tofu waste: Soybean dreg from producing tofu.
Fermentation: A process that transform complex compound in soybean dreg by Rhizopus spp. mold activity into digestible compounds.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Actions to end poverty, safeguard the environment, and guarantee that by the year 2030 everyone lives in peace and prosperity. There are 17 SDGs that are integerated; 1. No poverty; 2. Zero hunger; 3. Good health and well-being; 4. Quality education; 5. Gender equality; 6. Clean water and sanitation; 7. Afforfable and clean energy; 8. Decent work and economic growth; 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure; 10. Reduced inequalities; 11. Sustainable cities and communities; 12. Responsible consumption and production; 13. Climate action; 14. Life below water; 15. Life on land; 16. Peace, justice and strong institution; 17. Partnerships for goals.
Tempeh gembus: A food made by tempeh mold Rhizopus spp. from tofu waste.
Isoflavone: A bioactive compound with antioxidant and estrogenic activities in the body.