PEMANFAATAN BENGKUANG (Pachyrrhizus erosus) SEBAGAI MEDIA ALTERNATIF Nutrient Agar (NA) UNTUK PERTUMBUHAN BAKTERI Escherichia coli

Objective: To evaluate the potential of yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus) as an alternatif medium to replace Nutrient agar (NA) for the growth of Escherichia coli bacteria. Method : This descriptive research was conducted at the Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Medistra Health Institute, Lubuk Pakam, from March to April 2025. Samples consisted of yam bean filtrate and Escherichia coli bacteria obtained from fecal specimens of exposed individuals. Results : Escherichia coli colonies were observed to grow well on yam bean medium, both macroscopically and microscopically, exhibiting characteristics similar to those on NA medium— round colonies, yellowish color, firm and clearsurface.