www.gjrmi.com GJRMI, Volume 1, Issue 4, April 2012, 101-108 Metals contaminants Metal measurements were performed to determine how many metal contaminants were contained in the sample. The measurements includes that of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Tin (Sn), Mercury (Hg) and Arsenic (As). The analysis was based on SNI (Standard National Indonesia) 7387:2009 about maximum limit of metal contaminants in food (Table 3). Table 3 shows that shells and seeds of Indonesian velvet bean contain metal contamination of lead, cadmium, tin, mercury and arsenic below the safe limit for consumption, except the lead content of shells. Therefore, the velvet beans could be considered safe to be used as a food or medicine after the shells are removed. Table 3. Metal contaminat on shells and seeds of Indonesian velvet bean (mg/kg) Parameters seeds shells Lead (Pb) Cadmium (Cd) Tin (Sn) Mercury (Hg) Arsen (As) < 0.048 < 0.003 < 0.8 < 0.005 < 0.003 1.66 < 0.003 < 0.8 < 0.005 < 0.003 * Standard* (Maximum level) 0.5 0.2 0.03 1.00 SNI 7387:2009 = Maximum level of metal contaminants on food in Indonesia Microbial Contaminants cereus. The test results of microbial contamination are enlisted in Table 4. Microbial contamination measurement was performed to quantify the microbial contaminants contained in the sample. The microbial contamination is a crucial parameter for food and medicinal products. The microbe determination includes, E. coli, Salmonella, fungi, yeast, C. perfringens and Bacillus Based on the results comparison with standards, contaminations in the shell karabenguk were within the consumption as food or for purposes. obtained and the microbial and seeds of safe limits for pharmaceutical Table 4. Microbial contaminantion of shells and seeds of Indonesian velvet bean Parameters Seeds Total Plate Count (30oC, 72 h) 4.5 x 104 (coloni/g) E. coli (MPN2/g) <3 Salmonella (25g-1) 0 fungi (coloni/g) < 10 yeast (coloni/g) < 10 C. perfringens (g-1) 0 Bacillus cereus (coloni/g) 0 1 2 shells Standard1 (Maximum level) 5.4 x 104 1 x 106 <3 0 < 10 < 10 0 0 10 Negative 1 x 104 1 x 104 Negative 1 x 104 SNI 7388:2009 about Maximum level of microbial contaminant on food MPN (The Most Probable Number) = the estimate number of microbes present in samples Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine