Review Reports

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript “Enhancing the quality of traditional Indonesian shrimp paste (terasi) through Tetragenococcus halophilus 54M106-3 inoculation: Physicochemical, sensory, and bioactivity insights” presents interesting findings about physicochemical and sensory properties of three terasi formulations. In addition, the optimal terasi sample showed antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and antimicrobial activity. The study was well-designed. However, selected improvements are required.

L94-95. In these lines, moisture analysis is described. You probably move this description to the end of the section and rename section 2.3 “Determination of color and moisture”.

Section 2.11. The column characteristics and the analysis conditions on HPLC should be described.

L207. Please, describe how ethanol-diluted terasi extract was prepared.

L234. Mention the concentration of the terasi sample.

Figure 1. Improve the resolution, it is not clear.

L379-380. According to Figure 3, texture values for non-inoculated terasi are higher than those inoculated with T. halophilus. Texture increased with NaCl level amount terasi inoculated with T. halophilus. Please, revise and correct.

L485-486. Here you state negative control was distilled water, but in section 2.13 the negative control was ethanol. Please, revise and correct to the real negative control.

Table 6. What Aquadest mean? Please revise.

Revise the format of T. halophilus and terasi in the whole document, in selected sections are not with italics.

Check references 28 and 29, are they the same?

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The manuscript proposes to examine the effect of T. halophillus and various salt concentrations in improving the quality of rebon shrimp terasi. The optimal conditions were further evaluated for biological activities. The use of a fermentation process to improve, but the introduction cites interesting biological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, antidiabetic and cholesterol-lowering effects. I think these activities should not be cited when this is not the objective of the work. Furthermore, citing antihypertensive activity in a salty product is complicated.

In the materials and methods, evaluating antioxidant activity only with DPPH is insufficient. To publish antioxidant activity data, at least 2 evaluation methods should be used, preferably 3 different methods. We suggest including ABTS, FRAP or ORAC.

In the results, the quality of the images is incompatible with publication.

The discussions often only reference other authors without some important explanations.

The conclusions are repeating the data obtained. I suggest that the writing be revised, highlighting the main conclusions.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx