Latar Belakang: Status stunting berpengaruh pada jumlah amino esensial yang berperan dalam satu-satunya produksi oksida nitrat dalam tubuh, sehingga perlu menambahkan sumber nitrat eksogen. Tujuan: Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk melihat potensi pemberian kadar nitrat yang berasal dari Eruca sativa dalam meningkatkan pertumbuhan bakteri pereduksi nitrat khususnya Rothia. Metode: Mempersiapkan kelompok sampel dengan menggabungkan sampel ke beberapa kelompok berdasarkan pH saliva dan status stunting. Uji Griess dilakukan untuk menghitung kadar nitrit pada sampel yang akan merepresentasikan kadar nitratnya. Metode TPC digunakan dalam menghitung viabilitas sel dari Bakteri Genus Rothia. Dilakukan pewarnaan gram dan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) untuk membuktikan keberadaan target Bakteri Genus. Konsentrasi nitrat asal Eruca sativa yang digunakan adalah 6,25 mg/L dan 3,25 mg/L. Sampel diinkubasi pada durasi 5 jam dan 9 jam dalam keadaan aerob. Uji statistik yang digunakan adalah Wilcoxon dan Mann-Whitney U. Hasil: Didapatkan hasil bahwa tidak ada perbedaan signifikan antara pH medium, kadar nitrat, dan viabilitas sel Bakteri Genus Rothia terhadap konsentrasi Eruca sativa. Kesimpulan: Dapat disimpulkan bahwa pemberian nitrat asal Eruca sativa tidak bermakna secara statistik dalam meningkatkan kadar nitrat dan viabilitas sel dari Bakteri Genus Rothia (p>0,05).

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Background: Stunting status can reduce the amount of essential amino acids that play a role in the production of nitric oxide in the body, so it is necessary to add exogenous nitrate sources by consuming foods rich in nitrate to produce nitric oxide in the body. Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of providing nitrate from arugula leaves in enhancing the growth of specific nitrate-reducing bacteria, particularly Rothia. Methods: Preparing the sample groups by combining them based on saliva pH and stunting status. Griess test was performed to calculate the nitrite level in the sample which will represent the nitrate level. Total Plate Count (TPC) method was used to determine cell viability of Rothia bacteria. Afterward, Gram staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were conducted to confirm the presence of Rothia. Concentrations of nitrate from arugula used were 6.25 mg/L and 3.25 mg/L. Samples were incubated for durations of 5 hours and 9 hours under aerobic conditions. Statistical tests employed included Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U. Results: It was found that there was no significant difference between the pH of the medium, nitrate levels, and cell viability of Rothia bacteria against the concentration of arugula leaves. Conclusion: It can be concluded that providing nitrate from arugula does not statistically enhance nitrate levels and bacterial cell viability of Rothia.