BIOTROPIA - The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Biology
Not a member yet
547 research outputs found
Sort by
REMOVAL EFFICIENCY OF NITROGEN, PHOSPHORUS AND HEAVY METALS ASSOCIATED WITH SWINE WASTEWATER USING AQUATIC MACROPHYTES
Get PDFWastes from breeding farms have globally increased greenhouse gas emissions and caused serious pollution of aquatic environments. Biogas treatment polymer bags could significantly reduce organic compounds; however, they could not effectively treat other pollutants in animal wastewater. The objective of this study was to assess the removal efficiency of salinity and pollutants associated with pig wastewater using aquatic macrophytes. Four macrophytes, namely Acrotichum aureum, Eleocharis dulcis, Typha domengensis, and Limnophyton obtusifolium, and a soil control without vegetation were randomly assigned into fifteen mesocosms (1.2 × 0.7 × 0.6 m) with three replicates for each treatment. Pig wastewater was continuously filled into the input chambers of the mesocosms every three days at a volume of 5 liters. Water samples were collected from the output chambers at 60 and 120 days after treatment, while soil and vegetation samples were collected at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The results showed that E. dulcis, T. domengensis, and L. obtusifolium were dominant in the removal of N, P, Cu, Zn, and suspended solids; E. dulcis and T. domengensis significantly increased dissolved oxygen; whereas the treatment with L. obtusifolium showed the best efficiency in salt-ion removal. Pollutants of N, P, Cu, and Zn tended to accumulate more in macrophyte roots than in their leaves. Accumulation of N, P, Cu, and Zn in L. obtusifolium biomass was the highest compared with other treatments. From these findings, it is suggested that a combination of three aquatic macrophytes, including E. dulcis, T. domengensis, and L. obtusifolium, could establish a constructed wetland system to directly treat pollutants in livestock wastewater
ESTIMATION OF ABOVEGROUND FOREST BIOMASS AND CARBON STORAGE OF BANGLADESH
No full textForest biomass helps mitigate climate change impacts through sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide and potentially storing it for long periods of time. Deforestation and timber harvesting cause the reduction of forest biomass resulting in the reduced carbon sequestration capacity and alterednatural balance of forest ecosystems. We used remote sensing and GIS tools in the four important forest cover zones within five districts of Bangladesh to compare the aboveground forest biomass (AGB) changes between 2014 and 2020. We found an increased AGB in Sundarban mangrove forest from 89.73 Mg.h-1 in 2014 to 90.76 Mg.h-1 in 2020. Similarly, the AGB was found to be increased for Ukhiya hill forest from 7.89 Mg.h-1 in 2014 to 8.89 Mg.h-1 in 2020. Contrary, the average AGB content in Nijhum Dwip mangrove forest decreased from 44.36 Mg.h-1 in 2014 to 37.46 Mg.h-1 in 2020. The average AGB of Modhupur decidious forest also found to be decreased from 110.01 Mg.h-1 in 2014 to 107.22 Mg.h-1 in 2020. The decreased biomass contents could be attributed to anthropgenic factors as indicated by the presence of human activities and this informatin will be helpful for forest restoration and management in Bangladesh
DETECTING GROUPER (EPINEPHELINAE) DIET COMPOSITION AND PREY AVAILABILITY IN RAJA AMPAT CORAL REEFS THROUGH DNA AND eDNA METABARCODING
No full textGaining extensive knowledge of prey sources is an essential approach for understanding trophic structure and relationships, especially in highly diverse coral reef ecosystems. Groupers are a major Asian reef fish commodity, making it important to study grouper prey and the trophic relations involved. The wide distribution of groupers across different environments could lead to distinctive predatory behaviour. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate and compare the taxonomic classification and composition of prey in the diets of two common groupers (Epinephelus areolatus and E. malabaricus) based on DNA metabarcoding of stomach contents and potential prey detection using environmental DNA tools at sites in the coral reefs of Raja Ampat, Indonesia. DNA recovered from the water column comprised taxa from the Arthropoda, Chordata, Cnidaria and Mollusca, several of which were also found in grouper guts, with Cnidaria the most abundant class. Diversity was high for potential prey species in the environment and prey consumed by each grouper species. The high overlap in prey identified from gut contents indicates these two epinephelids have a similar feeding strategy. However, nMDS ordination showed segregation between the prey consumed by each species and potential prey available in the environment. The results indicate a low likelihood of competition between the two grouper species, related to the abundance and wide choice of potential prey in the highly biodiverse Raja Ampat coral reef ecosystem
SOURCES OF RESISTANCE AND TRICHOME ANALYSIS OF PHILIPPINE INDIGENOUS Hoya SPECIES AGAINST THE MILKWEED APHID, Aphis nerii Boyer De Fonscolombe (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE)
Get PDFThe Philippines is one of the centers of diversity of Hoya and an extensive collection of indigenous species are conserved at the Institute of Plant Breeding, University of the Philippines Los Baños. In maintaining these Hoya species inside the screenhouse, the major insect pest noted to attack the plants is the milkweed aphid, Aphis nerii Boyer de Fonscolombe. Thus, Hoyas were evaluated for resistance against this insect pest. Among the 45 Hoya species evaluated, 11 showed promising results wherein no aphid infestation was consistently observed during the three evaluation trials. These are H. aurigueana, H. carnosa, H. coriacea, H. diversifolia, H. greenii, H. imperialis, H. madulidii, H. obscura, H. odorata, H. paziae, and H. pubicalyx. As the first line of plants defense against herbivory, we sampled four resistant (H. madulidii, H. pubicalyx, H. carnosa, and H. obscura) and two susceptible (H. buotii and H. meliflua) species for analysis of their trichome traits. The mean trichome length was longest in H. carnosa (0.38mm), followed by H. madulidii (0.33mm), and lastly, H. pubicalyx and H. obscura (0.15mm). Mean trichome density (at 1.64mm2 microscopic field) was highest in H. madulidii (54.45), followed by H. pubicalyx (7.5), and lastly, H. carnosa (3.55) and H. obscura (3.45). In contrast, no trichome was observed in the susceptible species H. buotii and H. meliflua. Hence, trichomes are one of the important resistance traits of Hoya against the milkweed aphid. To our knowledge, this is the first report on resistance evaluation in Hoya and the role of its trichomes against the milkweed aphid. The results of this study can aide in the management of milkweed aphids and in developing improved Hoya cultivars with resistance to insects such as milkweed aphids
POLLINATION ECOLOGY, BREEDING SYSTEMS AND SEED DISPERSAL IN PASSIFLORA FOETIDA L. (PASSIFLORACEAE), A PERENNIAL HERBACEOUS CLIMBER WEED IN SOUTHERN PARTS OF ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA.: POLLINATION ECOLOGY OF PASSIFLORA FOETIDA L. (PASSIFLORACEAE).
No full textPassiflora foetida L. (Passifloraceae) is an herbaceous climber weed; grows up to 1.5 - 6.5m tall occur in riverbeds, wastelands, forest floors, crop fields, and roadsides, ascend about 4 to 10 m (13 to 32 feet) tall, exhibit peak flowering in July to December; produce white flowers marked with a ring of radially oriented purple streaks nectar guide, the flower opens along with sunrise and closes the same day noon. It exhibits three kinds of stigma positions in the same plant with different frequencies which determined the fertility rate of flower 1. Stigma below the anthers 64% (fully curved), 2. Stigmas above the anthers 16% (no curvature), 3. Stigmas above anthers 20% (partially curved). P. foetida flower shows both self-pollination and Cross-pollination. Xylocopa latipas sp. visits the flowers frequently among all of the forages and the Stigmas curved below the anthers produce height fruit set (68%) and seed set (82.14%). The fruits and seeds spread far destinations by animals (Zoochory). It cultivates in agricultural fields for their ornamental flowers, edible fruits, and pharmaceutical uses. The present study explored ecological importance, reproductive ecology and the pollinator interaction of the plant
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF Aspergillus flavus TOXIGENICITY IN AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES IN INDONESIA
Get PDFToxigenic Aspergillus flavus is a primary producer of aflatoxin in Indonesia, and its presence can lead to the contamination of agricultural commodities. This contamination poses a risk to export-targeted commodities, potentially resulting in their rejection. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the molecular profile of native A. flavus isolated from several Indonesian agricultural products, with a major focus on its toxigenicity and toxin production. A total of 18 A. flavus collections were isolated from nutmeg, ground peanut, cacao, coffee bean, corn, white pepper, and soil peanut plantation. Species identification was carried out using molecular and morphological approaches. The toxigenicity of isolates was characterized based on the amplification of aflatoxin gene clusters, while toxin production was assessed through growth simulation on a 10% coconut broth media followed by HPLC quantification. The result showed that all isolates were confirmed as A. flavus based on the morphological and sequence analysis of the ITS region. A total of 11 isolates (61%) were confirmed as toxigenic and produced 1-2 types of aflatoxin, in varying concentrations of high, moderate, or low levels of AFB1. High levels of AFB1 produced by seven isolates namely BIO3313, BIO33212, BIO3361, BIO33404, BIO3338, BIO3352, and BIO3344, had concentration levels ranging from 76.78 to 2241.06 µg/kg, while three isolates (BIO3314, BIO3312, and BIO3381) produced AFB1 below 1 µg/kg. Twenty-nine pairs of aflatoxin gene-specific sequences were successfully amplified as a single band, while some produced non-specific patterns in several low toxigenic and non-toxigenic isolates. Based on the results, it was concluded that completed gene clusters and variations of gene deletion were observed in both toxigenic and non-toxigenic isolates. However, no specific target gene could effectively distinguish the two groups. Two non-toxigenic isolates namely BIO3393 and BIO33403 exhibited a large deletion and could be potential candidates for biocontrol agents
POTENCY OF YEAST AS A BIOCONTROL AGENT OF OCHRATOXIN A-PRODUCING FUNGI AND ITS EFFECT ON ARABICA COFFEE TASTE
No full textBiocontrol agents can be used to control mycotoxigenic fungi, which include different species of yeast. The objectives of this research were to select yeast isolates that can inhibit the growth of ochratoxin A (OTA)-producing fungi (Aspergillus ochraceus BIO 37310) and to increase the taste of Arabica coffee processed using wet and semi-wet methods. Twenty-two yeast isolates (KA, KA2, KB, KB2, KC, KD, Endomyces decipiens BIO 131215, E. fibuliger BIO 132216, BIO 132217, BIO 13218, BIO 132219, BIO 132220, Candida krusei (= Issatchenkia orientalis) BIO 211285, BIO 211286, BIO 211287, BIO 211288, BIO 211289, BIO 211290, BIO 211291, Saccharomyces cerevisiae BIO 341363, BIO 341364, and BIO 341365) were screened for their antagonistic property against A. ochraceus BIO 37310 in vitro using well (dip) test method. The results showed that C. krusei (BIO 211287, BIO 211288, and BIO 211289) inhibited A. ochraceus BIO 37310. In vivo the highest yeast population was found in coffee beans processed using a semi-wet method inoculated with C. krusei BIO 211288 (46,222 ± 9,576 cfu/g), which was not significantly different from that of the coffee beans inoculated with C. krusei BIO 211287 (36,333 ± 14,000 cfu/g). The three yeast isolates were also able to grow either in coffee beans processed using wet or semi-wet methods inoculated with A. ochraceus BIO 37310 and each yeast isolate. Interaction between the three yeast isolates and A. ochraceus BIO 37310 resulted in E-type interaction, i.e. the fungus was not able to grow anymore, while the yeasts grew further. The total cupping scores of coffee beans inoculated with the three yeast isolates were higher than those of coffee beans uninoculated and inoculated with commercial lactic acid bacteria. The three yeast isolates could be used as biocontrol agents of A. ochraceus BIO 37310 and increase the sensorial quality of coffee beverages
MOLECULAR DOCKING ANALYSIS OF SELECTED CURCUMA XANTHORRHIZA CONSTITUENTS AS POTENTIAL ANTICANCER DRUG
No full textStress conditions will trigger the histone hyperacetylation process due to histone acetyltransferase p300/CBP (HAT PCAF) constantly transfers acetyl groups from acetyl-CoA to conserved lysine residues on histone proteins to form ε-N-acetyllysine. This can be a cause of cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential mechanisms and inhibition of PCAF HAT by chemical components of C. xanthorrhiza namely, curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and xanthorrizhol using in silico, the molecular docking method. Results showed that the components of C. xanthorrhiza as ligands have the capability to inhibit the binding of acetyl-CoA to histone. These results can be used to predict the inhibitory mechanisms exhibited by C. xanthorrhiza components, as competitive and noncompetitive substances. We hypothesize that C. xanthorrhiza components resemble a substrate, leading to prevention of the natural substrate (histone) to bind to the enzyme, and hence block the product formation. The smallest free Gibs energy was exhibited by curcumin on chain B and by bismethoxycurcumin on chain A, with values of -8.8 and -8.4 Kcal/mol, respectively
OPTIMIZATION OF Talinum paniculatum Gaertn. ROOT INDUCTION AND THE EFFECT OF PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATIONS AND AMMONIUM:NITRATE RATIO ON BIOMASS OF ADVENTITIOUS ROOTS IN IN VITRO CULTURE
Get PDFJava ginseng (Talinum paniculatum Gaertn.) is a medicinal plant, the roots of which are commonly used in traditional medicine. In its natural habitat, the roots grow very slowly, requiring two to three years to produce 100 g of roots per plant. Plant tissue culture could therefore provide an alternative means of accelerating root growth. This research aimed to optimize root induction and determine the effect of phosphate (KH2PO4) concentration and the ratio between ammonium and nitrate (ammonium:nitrate) on the biomass of Java ginseng adventitious roots in in vitro culture. Stem and leaf were used as explants and various combinations and concentrations of IBA and BAP, kinetin, and TDZ were used as growth regulators. Leaf explants were grown in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with IBA 2 mg/L and various concentrations of phosphate (170; 212.5; 255; 297.5; 340; 382.5; 425; 467.5; 510 mg/L) and various ammonium:nitrate ratios (21:19 mM as the control, 0:30 mM, 10:20 mM, 15:15 mM, 20:10 mM, 30:0 mM). Cultures were maintained for 6 weeks. The observed parameters were fresh weight, dry weight, the duration of root formation, and the number and length of adventitious roots. The data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance. The results showed that the concentration of phosphate and the ammonium:nitrate ratio significantly influenced the amount, length, fresh weight, and dry weight of Java ginseng adventitious root. The highest fresh weight (37.47 mg) and dry weight (5.53 mg) were achieved in the treatment of double phosphate concentration (KH2PO4 340 mg/L), while an ammonium:nitrate ratio of 10:20 mM was the optimum treatment to produce the highest biomass (fresh weight 73.6 mg and dry weight 8.2 mg)
ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANT USAGE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A COMMUNITY-BASED SURVEY IN INDONESIA
Get PDFBefore the availability of a vaccine, Indonesian population relied on traditional medicines to prevent COVID-19. Any species used by indigenous people could lead to further investigations in modern pharmacology, to preserve ancient knowledge, and to plan for plants’ conservation. The study aimed to discover and record species, methods of preparation, route of administration, and motivation in using medicinal plants by the Indonesian population during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants of survey were selected from the people who live in Java and Bali for responding to an online structured questionnaire. Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) was employed in the quantitative analysis of the collected data. The pharmacological relevance of the five plants with the highest RFC was further reviewed. The results showed that respondents used 59 plants from 28 families. Five species with the highest RFC were Curcuma longa (0.707), Zingiber officinale (0.674), Cymbopogon citratus (0.269), Kaempferia galanga (0.174), and Curcuma zanthorrhiza (0.165). Most plants were prepared by boiling (77.97%) and administered orally as a single ingredient or mixed with other herbals. Respondents believed that the plants were beneficial as immune-booster (71.26%), maintain good health (24.85%) and stamina (12.28%), and prevent viral infection, including COVID-19 (5.39%). The most commonly used plants might be scientifically based to boost immunity. However, their usage against COVID-19 and the medicinal value of herbal mixtures should be further investigated