One of the important problems in traditional Nata de Coco (Nata) fermentation is production inconsistency
due to strain or genetic variability reflecting mixed microbial communities involved in this process. This research
was aimed at examine the population dynamics of the bacterial community during the fermentation processes.
Samples were collected daily for six days from fermentation media derived from “good” and “bad” Nata
fermentation. We compared the levels of bacterial diversity through amplified 16S-rRNA(ARDRA). DNAwas
extracted directly from the fermentation media and 16S-rRNA gene was amplified employing Universal Bacterial
Primers. The amplicons were cloned into pGEM-TEasy vector, and restriction enzymes HaeIII and RsaI were used
to generate ARDRAprofiles. ARDRAphylotypes of DNAextracted from the fermentation medium obtained from
different Nata qualities were compared. Phylotype profiles demonstrated unique bacterial community profiles
fordifferent conditions of Nata quality, which could be developed as a parameterto monitorNata quality during
fermentation. In this research we found that the dynamics of the bacterialpopulation involved in Nata fermentation
were a crucial factorfordetermining traditional Nata quality