Abstract
Durio kutejensis, commonly known as Lai durian, has a unique characteristics of a creamy texture and a combination of sweet and bitter tastes. This study aimed to isolate and screen yeast from fruits as a potential probiotic agent. The tests consisted of tolerance to bile salt and gastric acid at pH 2, antibacterial activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enteriditis, and hemolytic activity on blood agar medium. The results showed that 40 yeasts isolated from Lai durian fruit and 34 of these isolates grew on YMA medium. The two isolates showed high significance in the probiotic tests. These two isolates were able to grow on bile salt up to a concentration of 2% and gastric acid for up to 6 h, with survival rates of 99.06% and 100%, respectively. Two isolates were identified as Pichia kudriavzevii UNJCC Y-137 and Candida tropicalis UN-JCC Y-140 Therefore, these two yeast isolates can be used as potential probiotic agents.