BIOTROPIA - The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Biology
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EVALUATING HABITAT SUITABILITY AND ECOTOURISM POTENTIAL OF MANGROVE ECOSYSTEMS PROGO RIVER YOGYAKARTA
No full textARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS- The article introduces an evaluation of mangrove habitat suitability for ecotourism in the Progo River area, which has not been extensively studied in this region.- It employs nested and gridline sampling methods to measure habitat quality more comprehensively, leading to more accurate data on mangrove conditions.- The study examines the impact of physical and chemical factors such as temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen on mangrove growth and biodiversity.- It uses the Tourism Suitability Index to identify locations suitable for nature tourism activities around the Progo River.- The article stresses the need for improved management of mangrove ecotourism areas to preserve ecosystem sustainability and support the local economy.
ABSTRACTMangrove forests are a transitional ecosystem located between land and sea. Habitat factors greatly influence the growth of mangrove plants. Habitat suitability is reflected in the suitability of the species that can grow in the habitat. Increased growth will ultimately increase water productivity, which can be seen from the presence of various types of biota and environmental improvements. The local community planted mangrove species (Sonneratia sp.) along the Progo River in an area of 75 h. This study aimed to: 1) assess the quality/characteristics of the Progo River waters that will be used for a water tourism center and 2) assess the suitability (IKW) of the Progo River waters for water tourism in Bleberan Hamlet. Data collection was carried out using nested sampling. Data analysis included the diversity of biota types using the Shannon Diversity Index and vegetation analysis. The results showed that the highest temperature occurred at station 3 plot 10, the highest mud thickness was observed at station 5 plot 9, the highest salinity was detected at station 3 plot 10, the highest water clarity was observed at station 2 plot 7, the highest pH was seen at station 1 plot 6 and 7, while the highest DO was spotted at station 3 plot 8. Some of the biota obtained included crustaceans, gastropods and actinopterygii. The habitat types of vegetation obtained were trees, shrubs, and some herbs. Based on the Tourism Suitability Index (IKW) value, there were 3 stations suitable for camping/outbound, 2 stations suitable for relaxing, and 2 stations suitable for river tracks
Effect of Calcium Nitrate on Chlorophyll-Based Biotransducer Characterization of Arthrospira platensis Gomont
Full text linkARTICLE HIGLIGHTS- Calcium nitrate is utilized to enhance the growth and chlorophyll quality of Arthrospira platensis Gomont, aiming to maximize its potential as a biotransducer molecule.- Biomass productivity was monitored every three days during a 15-day cultivation period, with specific attention to biomass accumulation and specific growth rates during the stationary phase.- Chlorophyll concentrations (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll) were measured using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer at wavelengths of 648 nm and 664 nm.- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed on chlorophyll extracts to assess molecular binding capacity, reinforcing Arthrospira platensis Gomont’s potential as a biotransducer.- A concentration of 4.5 g/L of calcium nitrate, in combination with 35 ppt salinity, was found to be optimal for enhancing chlorophyll production during cultivation.ABSTRACTThe aim of this study is to investigate the potential of calcium nitrate as a specific nutrient capable of enhancing the chlorophyll content and optimizating the biotransducer characterization in Arthrospira platensis Gomont. The experimental design employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with Two Factors, consisting of 12 treatments and 3 replications. Each research group was conditioned with varying salinity levels: 15 ppt (S15), 25 ppt (S25), and 35 ppt (S35). In the treatment groups, calcium nitrate was added at different concentrations: 2.5 g/L (P1), 3.5 g/L (P2), and 4.5 g/L (P3). Biomass accumulation and specific growth rate were monitored and data were collected throughout the experiment. At the end of the treatment period, chlorophyll was extracted and its concentration was measured using UV-Vis Spectrophotometry and FTIR analysis. The results indicated that the addition of calcium nitrate 4.5 g/L combined with 35 ppt salinity increased the average biomass productivity over 15 days by 5.1 g/L, with a specific growth rate in the stationary phase of 0.12 per day. Supplementation of calcium nitrate 4.5 g/L in 35 ppt salinity was found to increase total chlorophyll concentration to 70.15 μg/mL, further supporting its potential as a supplementary nutrient to enhance the biotransducer properties with five key functional groups for the stability and binding affinity of analyte molecules in SPR application
ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Castanopsis tungurrut (BLUME) A. DC ALONG THE ALTITUDINAL GRADIENT IN CIBODAS BIOSPHERE RESERVE
No full textHIGHLIGHTS- Castanopsis tungurrut prefer mid-altitude forest habitat- The population show clumped pattern on steep slopes- Vegetation cluster shift with altitudinal gradient- Cisarua is the highest density of Castanopsis tungurrut
ABSTRACTCastanopsis tungurrut is an endangered species that has received limited attention in terms of research, with scarce ecological information and description of its native distribution area, the Cibodas Biosphere Reserve. This study aimed to investigate the ecological characteristics, vegetation clusters, population structure, and habitat preferences of C. tungurrut along the altitudinal gradient. To assess the vegetation, a total of 41 plots were used, with dimensions of 20 × 20 m for trees, 10 × 10 m for poles, 5 × 5 m for saplings, and 2 × 2 m for wildings. The results revealed that the vegetation in four different locations (Cibodas, Bodogol, Cisarua, and Selabintana) within the altitude range of ca. 750 - 1800 meters above sea level (m asl) could be grouped into three distinct zone clusters based on the dominant species. These clusters were named Zone I (ca. 500 - 1,000 m asl), Castanopsis-Lithocarpus and Schima wallichii forest characterized by the dominance of Castanopsis tungurrut, Maesopsis eminii, and Schima wallichii; Zone II (ca. 1,000 -1,500 m asl), Castanopsis and Schima wallichii forest, dominated by Castanopsis (Fagaceae forest) and Schima wallichii; and Zone III (ca.1,500-2,400 m asl), Schima wallichii, Castanopsis, and Altingia excelsa forest where Schima wallichii, Castanopsis, and Altingia excelsa were prevalent. C. tungurrut was found to dominate at elevations between ca. 750 and 1,500 m asl, gradually decreasing in higher elevations or even absent. It exhibited a clumped distribution pattern, favoring steep to highly steep habitats. The highest population density was observed in Cisarua (53.1 individuals/ha), followed by Bodogol (25 individuals/ha), Cibodas (10.7 individuals/ha), and Selabintana (5 individuals/ha). These findings emphasize the species\u27 selective habitat preferences, particularly with regard to altitude and slope factors, which should be taken into consideration when planning conservation efforts
CHARACTERIZATION AND POTENTIAL UTILIZATION OF STRING BAMBOO (GIGANTOCHLOA APUS)
No full textHIGHLIGHTS- Gigantochloa apus shows strong potential for structural and engineered uses.- Axial and nodal variations significantly affect bamboo fiber anatomy.- Relative density and strength make G. apus suitable for construction and furniture.- Derived fiber ratios indicate limited papermaking suitability.- G. apus offers broad utilization potential for sustainable industriesABSTRACTThis study assessed the morphological, anatomical, derived ratio, and physico-mechanical properties of string bamboo (Gigantochloa apus [Schult.f.] Kurz ex Munro) grown in Baguio City, Philippines, to establish comprehensive property data and explore potential applications. Six mature culms were sampled and tested for its properties following the IAWA, ISO, and ASTM standards. Results revealed that culm diameter and wall thickness decreased significantly by 37.30% and 46.60%, respectively, toward the top portion. Anatomical analysis showed significant decreases in fiber length, fiber diameter, lumen diameter, and cell wall thickness by 15.33%, 13.86%, 24.05%, and 8.43%, respectively, from bottom to top. All derived ratios varied significantly between the node and internode portions. The node portion exhibited higher values for cell wall fraction, Runkel ratio, Muhlsteph ratio, rigidity coefficient, and Luce’s shape factor. Radial and volumetric shrinkage decreased by 29.47% and 31.01%, respectively, toward the top, while shear strength dropped by 47.20%. In contrast, basic relative density, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and compression strength showed no significant variation along the culm. These findings highlight that G. apus is suitable for diverse applications including furniture, handicrafts, construction, engineered bamboo, and biomass products
NEW RECORD OF Mycena chlorophos (BIOLUMINESCENT FUNGI) FOR INDONESIA
No full textHIGHLIGHTS- Glowing mushrooms were found at night in the forest of IPB University and showed a bright green light in the dark.- Examination of their morphological features and phylogeny material confirmed they are the species Mycena chlorophos.- This is the first confirmed record of Mycena chlorophos in Indonesia, extending its known distribution worldwide.
ABSTRACTA bioluminescent fungus produce light as a result of a chemical reaction within its body. The majority of fungi exhibiting bioluminescence are classified within the Mycenaceae which comprises a significant proportion of the known glowing fungi. One of those species which well noted worldwide is Mycena chlorophos. However, no clear record of M. chlorophos has been discovered in Indonesia. While engaging in our routine late-night mushroom foraging in IPB University Campus Forest (IPBUCF), some glowing basidiomata were encountered. This study sought to determine the taxonomic classification of the collected specimens through comprehensive morphological and molecular examinations. The fresh fruiting bodies were underwent thorough examination based on macroscopic and microscopic characteristics. Phylogenetic analysis of the rDNA-ITS region was conducted using ITS 1/2 primers, and the integration of morphological and molecular data verified that our specimens belong to Mycena chlorophos. By morphology, our specimen poses convex pileus with shallow depression at centre, viscid, shiny, adnexed lamellae with series of lamellae, ellipsoid and smooth basidiospores. The pileus and hymenophore glow vividly with a bright greenish hue in the darkness. The BLAST analysis indicated a 98% similarity between our specimen and Mycena chlorophos from China, ranking it among the top matches. Furthermore, the phylogenetic tree positioned our specimens within the M. chlorophos clade with a 100% bootstrap support value. Our specimen was in sub clade with materials from Malaysia. The DNA sequence of our scpecimen has been registered to Gen Bank and can be used for future reference of bioluminescent fungi wordlwide. This research updates information regarding the distribution and characteristics of M. chlorophos in Indonesia. The discovery of this species in the IPBUCF adds to the known geographical range of M. chlorophos near the anthropogenic activity in Indonesia. In addition, our result also contributes to the growing documentation of bioluminescent fungi in Indonesia, a region with high but underexplored fungal biodiversity
DIET COMPOSITION AND FEEDING HABITS OF NAUJAN WHITE GOBY (Glossogobius aureus) IN NAUJAN LAKE, PHILIPPINES
No full textARTICLE HIGLIGHTS- The Naujan White Goby (Glossogobius aureus) is an economically important commodity, valued locally for dried fish, making it vulnerable to overexploitation.- Domestication efforts attempt to lessen fishing pressure while conserving wild populations; however, the feeding ecology of this native fish in Naujan Lake is still unknown.- Understanding Glossogobius aureus’ diet composition and feeding habits from its natural habitat is critical for establishing its culture.Glossogobius aureus is a benthic carnivore that feeds primarily on shrimp, followed by fish and other prey items.ABSTRACTNaujan White Goby (Glossogobius aureus), commonly processed as dried fish, is a local delicacy in Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. However, the product’s growing popularity and rising demand have raised concerns about the overexploitation of this economically valuable species. While efforts to domesticate G. aureus have been initiated as a conservation measure, information on its feeding ecology in Naujan Lake National Park is lacking. This study investigated the diet composition, feeding habits, feeding intensity, and seasonal and site-based variations in the diet of G. aureus in Naujan Lake by monthly sampling from February 2020 to January 2021. A total of 1,938 G. aureus comprising 1,094 males and 844 females were collected, ranging from 75 mm to 280 mm in total length. Glossogobius aureus is a benthic carnivore. Shrimp forms the bulk of its diet, followed by fish and other prey. Occasional opportunistic feeding was observed in June to August when the usual prey were scarce. Pairwise comparison showed a significantly high percentage occurrence of shrimp observed during the dry months (January to March) and rainy months (September to November) compared to the lowest ingestion recorded in June and July (P < 0.05). The dietary patterns varied significantly across the six sampling sites and seasonal periods. Feeding intensity was the highest before spawning and declined during the spawning period. Males exhibited greater feeding activity compared to females. The findings offer valuable insights into the feeding patterns of G. aureus, which could help optimize dietary strategies for its successful culture in captivity
A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF CURCUMIN AND ITS NANOFORMULATIONS: Bioactive role of curcumin in diseases prevention
No full textHIGHLIGHTS- Curcumin shows strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects.- Nanoformulations improve curcumin’s stability, absorption, and effectiveness.- Curcumin nanoparticles may protect against cancer, heart, and brain disorders.- More clinical studies are needed to confirm curcumin’s full therapeutic potential.
ABSTRACTResearchers have recently focused on the bioactive components present in natural products. Over the past two decades, curcumin, the active compound derived from the Curcuma longa plant, has been extensively investigated due to its therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer agent. This review article aims to present the potential and therapeutic activities of curcumin based on its medicinal significance and targeted pathways. Its antibacterial, neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anticancer properties are discussed in relation to the biological activities of curcumin. Despite the promising findings, sufficient evidence supporting the adjunctive use of C. longa and curcumin-based nanoparticles for the treatment of various inflammatory and infectious disorders is still lacking. Several nanoformulations have been developed, and their effectiveness has been demonstrated in preclinical studies; however, further validation through human clinical trials is required before their application in medicine can be established. In this context, the current review provides an overview of curcumin nanoformulations that may serve as effective alternatives for targeted therapies in the management of various human disorders. According to the reported literature, nano-gels, nanoemulsions, and nano-creams loaded with curcumin nanoparticles have been proposed for the management of several diseases. The information presented in this review has been compiled from approximately 300 preclinical and clinical research papers and review articles. Further studies should focus on optimizing the stability of nanoformulations, improving clinical translation, and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin nanoparticles in order to evaluate their potential as candidates for novel drug development in the treatment of various diseases
EFFECTIVENESS OF LIQCORIS ORGANIC PESTICIDE AS GROWTH INHIBITOR OF PLANT PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS
Full text linkArticle Highlights:- First study on Liqcoris, an organic pesticide made from coconut waste.- 15% Liqcoris concentration effectively inhibits pests and plant pathogens.- Active compounds include phenol and carbamic acid.- Pest and fungal pathogens were isolated directly from diseased plants in a school garden.- Coconut waste-based pesticide offers practical, eco-friendly pest control solutions.
Abstract:Sustainable control of plant diseases is essential to maintain biodiversity. Learning using prototypes is an effort to support students in understanding and learning science and technology in order to answer problems related to biodiversity loss. The research aimed to: 1) produce a prototype of Liqcoris organic pesticide (BLM 06) from coconut shell and shell waste, 2) measure the ability of the Liqcoris organic pesticide in inhibiting the growth of plant pathogenic microorganisms, and 3) study the content of Liqcoris organic pesticide. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the SAS Version 9.0 program. The analysis carried out was the analysis of variance (ANOVA). Duncan\u27s advanced test was used at the 5% level to determine the differences among the treatments, i.e., 00 = control or without PDA + pesticide; 10 = PDA + pesticide concentration 10%; 15 = PDA + pesticide concentration 15%, 20 = PDA + pesticide concentration 20%, and 25 = PDA + pesticide concentration 25%. Based on in vitro test, the study showed that Liqcoris concentration of 15% proved effective in killing phytopathogen fungi (P < 0.05), including Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium graminearum, Nigrospora sphaerica and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Treatments with various concentrations of 15%, 20%, and 25% effectively produced inhibitory values in the diameter of pathogenic fungal colonies, respectively 0.118 cm, 0.000 cm, and 0.000 cm that were significantly different from concentrations of 10% (2.7140 cm) and control 0% (5.2180 cm). Considering the economic value of production, the best concentration of organic pesticides chosen was 15%. On the other hand, in vivo test results indicated that in controlling mosaic viruses on diseased curly chili variety TM 999, without Liqcoris treatment (control), the intensity of disease attack increased by 20.22% after 6 weeks after treatment (wat). Meanwhile, after applying Liqcoris organic pesticide with a concentration of 15%, the percentage of mosaic virus attacks decreased to 2.72% after 6 wat (P < 0.05). This study showed that the content of 15% Liqcoris organic pesticide was dominated by active compound phenol (35.16%) and carbamic acid, phenyl ester (23.61%)
INTRA-SPESIFIC DIVERSITY OF BUTTERFLY PEA (Clitoria ternatea L.) REVEALED BY ISSR WITH INVARIABLE ITS RECORDS
Full text linkArticle Highlights:- The ITS region exhibits no genetic variation among butterfly pea genotypes.- ISSR reveals high polymorphism, proving effective for genetic diversity analysis.- White single and purple single genotypes show the greatest genetic distance.- ISSR-6 ((CT)₈TG) demonstrates the highest polymorphism and reliability for assessment.- The ITS sequences have been deposited in GenBank under the accession IDs PQ198055–PQ198061.
ABSTRACTClitoria ternatea L., a perennial plant in the Fabaceae, is recognized for its resilience in tropical climates and its diverse applications in both culinary and medicinal fields. However, the limited exploration of its genetic diversity constrains breeding efforts aimed at improving desirable traits. This limitation highlights the need to optimize selection strategies, identify superior genotypes, and preserve valuable genetic resources for long-term conservation and crop enhancement. This study aimed to explore genetic variation using molecular markers to analyze C. ternatea genotypes based on petal architecture and color differences. To assess the genetic diversity of C. ternatea, Sanger sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region and Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers were applied to seven wild populations from Sleman, Yogyakarta. The ITS region exhibited no genetic variation, indicating its conserved nature and limited ability to differentiate genotypes. In contrast, ISSR markers effectively detected genetic variation, identifying 62 polymorphic fragments out of 162 total bands. The highest genetic distance (0.297) was observed between the WS and PS genotypes, whereas the double-petal genotypes (WD and PD) displayed the closest phenetic relationship. Among the ISSR primers, UBC-808, UBC-812, and ISSR-6 exhibited high PIC and RP values, confirming their reliability in genetic diversity analysis. These results underscore the utility of ISSR markers as a robust tool for genetic diversity assessment, offering valuable insights for breeding programs and germplasm conservation in C. ternatea
ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN BISBUL TREES (Diospyros blancoi) IN BOGOR
No full textBisbul (Diospyros blancoi) isa kind of edible fruit and could be beneficial as inhibitor forskin ageing process.Majority of root plants have symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF); however, AMFinbisbul has never been reported. The objective of this study was to observe AMF colonies and to identify AMF spores in bisbul tree rhizospheres and in pot-cultured Pueraria javanica. Roots and soil samples from bisbul rhizospheres were collected from three locations in Bogor area. Roots were stained using trypan blue 0.05%. Soil samples were air dried, then part of them were used for spore isolation and the rest were used for pot cultures. Spores wereisolated by wet sieving and decanting method and then continued with centrifugation. The results showed that the structures of AMF colonies in bisbul roots were arbuscules, vesicles, coiled hyphae, and internal hyphae. Isolated AMF spores were identified as Acaulospora longula, A. scrobiculata, A. tuberculata, Claroideoglomus geosporum,Funneliformis etunicatum,Gigaspora candida, G. ramisporophora, Glomus albidum, G. glomerulatum, and Scutellospora calospora. This is the first report of mycorrhizal infection in the root of bisbul and AMF association with bisbul root. Keywords:  Acaulospora, Claroideoglomus, Funneliformis, Gigaspora, Glomus,  Indonesia, Scutellospor