BIOTROPIA - The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Biology
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OPTIMIZATION BACTERIAL DENSITY AND FERTILIZER DOSAGE FOR BIOREMEDIATION OF OIL CONTAMINATED SANDY BEACH: A CASE OF CILACAP, INDONESIA
Get PDFBioremediation, involving biostimulation and/or bioaugmentation, is a promising method to overcome oil spills in Cilacap coastal waters. Cilacap coastal area has high risk on oil pollution. This study investigated the stimulatory effect of nitrogen concentration, bacterial density and the composition of bacterial culture in enhancing oil degradation in this area. The applications of 4 different concentrations of Slow Release Fertilizer (SRF) and 2 different densities of bacterial cells in the form of single (RCO/B/08_008) and mixed culture were employed in microcosm experiments for 28 days. The efficacy of combining bacterial culture and fertilizer application in various concentrations was also tested. Oil degradation, bacterial growth and environmental parameters were monitored periodically during the experiments. The results showed that oil degradation rate was more influenced by nutrient concentration (biostimulation) than bacterial number or culture composition (bioaugmentation) added. The efficacy of biostimulation in degrading oil was better than that of bioaugmentation. Biostimulation increased oil degradation up to 6.4 times higher than the control. The optimum of fertilizer concentration added was 7.5 mg N/g (C:N ratio of 1,000:75), which increased depletion rate both in biostimulation-only and the combination of biostimulation with bioaugmentation up to 6.4 and 7.5 times higher than the control, respectively. It is suggested that bioremediation of oil-contaminated sandy beach in Cilacap would be optimal by employing a combination of Slow Release Fertilizer at concentration having C/N ratio = 1,000 : 75 and RCO/B/08_008 culture at density of 0.5 x 108 cells/mL (100% homology with Alcanivorax sp. TE-9)
EFFECT OF CULTURE PARAMETERS ON PROTEASE AND CELLULASE PRODUCTION BY TWO BACTERIAL STRAINS, Corynebacterium alkanolyticum ATH3 AND Bacillus licheniformis CBH7 ISOLATED FROM FISH GUT
Get PDFMicrobial protease and cellulase are in high demand by different industries due to their minimal cost and availability. This study was aimed to maximize the production of protease and cellulase using two bacteria, Corynebacterium alkanolyticum ATH3 and Bacillus licheniformis CBH7, isolated from fish gut. This study demonstrated the effect of different culture parameters in protease and cellulase production using two different bacterial strains. Results of this study clearly indicated the importance of different parameters such as moisture content, pH, incubation temperature, incubation period, inoculum size, carbon sources and nitrogen sources in enzyme production. The most critical parameters affecting the enzymes production were pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources. Further investigations are required to enhance the enzymes production using genetic engineering
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MOLYBDENUM-REDUCING AND PHENOLIC- AND CATECHOL-DEGRADING Enterobacter sp. STRAIN SAW-2
Get PDFMolybdenum is an emerging pollutant worldwide. This study aimed to isolate a molybdenum-reducing bacterium capable of growing on phenolic compounds, specifically phenol and catechol. The screening process was conducted using a microplate assay. The bacterium reduced molybdenum in the form of sodium molybdate to molybdenum blue (Mo-blue). Optimal molybdate reduction occurred within a narrow pH range of 6.3–6.8 and at temperatures between 34–37 °C. Glucose was the most effective carbon source supporting molybdate reduction, while phenol and catechol did not support the reduction process. Additional requirements for molybdate reduction included sodium molybdate concentrations of 15–30 mM and phosphate at 5.0 mM. The Mo-blue produced exhibited an absorption spectrum characterized by a shoulder at 700 nm and a maximum peak near the infrared region at 865 nm. The Mo-reducing bacterium was partially identified as Enterobacter sp. strain Saw-2. The ability of this bacterium to grow on toxic phenolic compounds and detoxify molybdenum suggests strong potential for use in bioremediation applications
IDENTIFICATION OF SECRETORY STRUCTURE, HISTOCHEMISTRY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OF MEDICINAL PLANT Hyptis sapitata Jacq.
Get PDFHyptis capitata Jacq. (common name: Knobweed or False Ironwort) belongs to Lamiaceae family and is among known traditional medicine. The Anak Dalam Tribe of Jambi Province uses the leaves of H. capitata to cure external and internal wounds. This study was aimed at identifying and analyzing secretory structure, histochemistry and phytochemical content of H. capitata leaves.  The results showed that H. capitata leaves have secretory structures in the form of peltate, capitate and uniseriate glandular trichomes on the upper and lower leaf surfaces, with idioblast cells scattered throughout the leaf mesophyll. Histochemical tests indicated that the peltate trichomes have four head cells, containing alkaloids and terpenoids. This study classified capitate trichomes into two types: 1. type I has one stalk cell and two head cells, all containing  alkaloids, terpenoids and lipophilic compounds; 2. type II has long stalk cells consisting of seven to ten cells with one head cell, all containing alkaloids and terpenoids. Uniseriate glandular trichomes of H. capitata leaves consist of four to eight cells containing alkaloids and terpenoids. The idioblast cells are round-shaped and contain lipophilic compounds. GC-MS analysis showed that H. capitata leaves  contain terpenoid compounds assumed to serve as anti-infective agents, including l-limonene, eugenol, farnesol isomers A, d-nerolidol, hexahydrofarnesol and neophytadiene
FUNGAL INFECTION AND AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION IN STORED NUTMEG (Myristica fragrans) KERNELS AT VARIOUS STAGES OF DELIVERY CHAIN IN NORTH SULAWESI PROVINCE
No full textFragrant nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is an important commodity widely used in food and pharmaceutical industries; therefore, its quality should be strictly monitored. The objectives of this research were to: (a) investigate the occurrence of fungi, including the presence of A. flavus and aflatoxin contamination in stored nutmeg kernels; (b) measure moisture content and percentage of damaged kernels; and (c) evaluate nutmeg kernels along the delivery chain. This study consisted of surveys, interviews, and sample collection along the delivery chain. The research was conducted in April–May 2013 in three regencies (North Minahasa, Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro), and Sangihe Talaud) and two cities (Bitung and Manado). A total of 76 nutmeg kernel samples were collected: 25 from farmers, 22 from collectors, and 29 from exporters. Results showed that the moisture content of nutmeg kernels collected from the North Sulawesi Province did not exceed the maximum moisture content limit set by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI), which is 10%. However, nutmeg kernels collected from farmers and collectors had a high percentage of physical damage. Aspergillus niger and Endomyces fibuliger were the dominant fungi found in samples from farmers and collectors, whereas Eurotium repens was predominantly associated with samples stored by exporters. Levels of aflatoxin B₁ and total aflatoxin in several samples collected from farmers and exporters were relatively high. A non-parametric statistical analysis showed that the delivery chain did not have a significant effect on moisture content, percentage of damaged kernels, total fungal population, or total aflatoxin content. This study suggests that improvements in postharvest handling practices performed by farmers, collectors, and exporters in North Sulawesi Province (North Minahasa, Sitaro, and Sangihe Talaud), Bitung, and Manado are necessary to minimize contamination of aflatoxin B₁ and total aflatoxin
RAPD ANALYSIS TO DETECT SOMACLONAL VARIATION OF PINEAPPLE IN VITRO CULTURES DURING MICROPROPAGATION
No full textPlant off-type formation has become a concern in pineapple micropropagation, and reliable methods are required to detect and minimize this problem. This study was conducted to confirm the occurrence of somaclonal variation during the micropropagation of pineapple clone Simadu. The effects of culture period (long vs. short duration) and regeneration methods (direct organogenesis, indirect organogenesis, and somatic embryogenesis) were evaluated to determine their contribution to somaclonal variation. RAPD analysis using ten primers was performed to confirm genetic variation. The results showed that RAPD assays could be applied for early detection of somaclonal variation in pineapple, with OPA primers performing better than OPJ primers. Phenotypic variation observed in four-year-old field-grown pineapple plants and plantlets was associated with genetic variation. The findings demonstrated that the long culture period was the main factor contributing to somaclonal variation, while regeneration method and plant growth regulators also played a role in inducing genetic changes. Newly initiated cultures showed a higher level of genetic similarity. Therefore, applying an appropriate micropropagation strategy is necessary to minimize plant off-types. It is recommended to avoid using long-term cultures as mother stock and to apply direct organogenesis rather than indirect organogenesis or somatic embryogenesis for pineapple micropropagation
FIBER DISRUPTION OF BETUNG BAMBOO (Dendrocalamus asper) BY COMBINED FUNGAL AND MICROWAVE PRETREATMENT
No full textCombined microwave pretreatment is an effective method to modify carbohydrate and lignin structures of fungal and lignocellulosic materials, thereby improving the hydrolysis process for bioethanol conversion. This study aimed to evaluate the structural changes in carbohydrate and lignin components of betung bamboo following a combined biological–microwave pretreatment. Based on previous findings, a 30-day incubation using 5% and 10% (w/v) inoculum loading of the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor—which showed the highest delignification selectivity—was selected as the fungal pretreatment. Microwave irradiation was then applied for 5, 10, and 12.5 minutes at 330 W. Characterization of structural changes was conducted using FTIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis revealed that the combined pretreatment affected only the intensity of absorption bands without altering the functional groups. A decline in peak intensity occurred at 1,736 cm⁻¹ (C=O in xylan), 1,373 cm⁻¹ (C–H deformation in cellulose and hemicellulose), 1,165 cm⁻¹ (C–O–C vibration in cellulose and hemicellulose), and 895 cm⁻¹ (β-glycosidic linkage in cellulose). The pretreatment reduced hydrogen bonding in cellulose and weakened lignin–carbohydrate linkages associated with bamboo cellulose crystallinity. A slight increase in crystallinity index was observed due to cleavage of the amorphous fraction. SEM imaging confirmed the disruption of fiber structure, showing increasing degradation with longer microwave exposure durations
ANTIBREAST CANCER ACTIVITY OF NANOPROPOLIS INDONESIA ON INDUCED MAMMARY GLAND TUMOR BY DMBA IN VIRGIN SPRAGUE–DAWLEY RATS
Get PDFThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of nanopropolis on DMBA-induced mammary tumors in rats. After the first tumor appearance, twenty-eight rats were divided into seven groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 served as recipients of nanopropolis treatments at dosages of 8, 32, and 56 μg/mL, respectively. Group 4 received propolis at 233 μg/mL, Group 5 served as the treatment control, Group 6 received DMBA only, and Group 7 served as the normal control. The effects of nanopropolis at 32 μg/mL and propolis at 233 μg/mL were similar in reducing tumor size, healing wounds caused by the tumor, and eliminating cancer cells. Furthermore, the study suggested a relationship between particle size of the absorbent material and its effectiveness. Overall, nanopropolis was very effective in treating mammary gland tumors and breast cancer even at small concentrations
POTENTIAL YIELD OF ACID-ADAPTIVE SOYBEAN PROMISING LINES IN ULTISOLS OF TANAH LAUT REGENCY, SOUTH KALIMANTAN PROVINCE, INDONESIA
Get PDFSoybean is an important food commodity after rice and corn in Indonesia. Until now soybean demand cannot be fulfilled by domestic production, although the chances of fulfillment can be attempted. One of the attempts to increase domestic production is soybean planting in acid dry land that is widely available in Indonesia. The research aimed to obtain soybean lines that are adaptive in acid dry land. A total of 10 soybean promising lines and two check varieties (Wilis and Tanggamus) were grown in acid dry land in Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Experimental design used was randomized complete block design with four replications. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance and followed by Least Significant Different test. The results showed that the promising lines of SC5P2P3.5.4.1-5 and SC5P2P3.23.4.1-5 achieved production of 1.51 t/ha and 1.48 t/ha, respectively. These yields were higher than Wilis and Tanggamus varieties that reached 1.41 t/ha and 1.13 t/ha, respectively. These two promising lines had the potency to be developed in Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan or other areaswith similar soil characteristics
DIVERSITY OF EPIPHYTIC ORCHIDS AND HOST TREES (PHOROPHYTES) IN SECONDARY FOREST OF COBAN TRISULA, MALANG REGENCY, EAST JAVA, INDONESIA
Get PDFEpiphytic orchids are an integral component of forest ecosystems and contribute significantly to plant diversity. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of orchids and their host trees (phorophytes) in a secondary forest at Coban Trisula (the Trisula Waterfall), Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, East Java Province, Indonesia. Two line transects were established, each 150 m long and consisting of ten 10 × 10 m plots, resulting in a total of 30 sampling plots at the study site. The following data were recorded in each plot: species names and number of individuals of epiphytic orchids, species names and number of individuals of phorophytes, and the vertical distribution of orchids on the phorophytes. A total of 15 epiphytic orchid species from 13 genera were recorded in the secondary forest of Coban Trisula. Appendicula angustifolia was the most abundant epiphytic orchid species (relative abundance = 52.4%), followed by Trichotosia annulata (29.9%). All recorded orchids were found growing on 21 individuals belonging to nine phorophyte species. Castanopsis javanica (mean = 589.5 orchid individuals/tree) and Engelhardia spicata (mean = 425.67 orchid individuals/tree) were the phorophytes hosting the highest number of orchid individuals, respectively. The greatest abundance of epiphytic orchids occurred on the basal and middle parts of the phorophyte branches (zone 3 and zone 4). This study indicates that orchid conservation management is required in Coban Trisula to protect orchid populations from potential human disturbances, as the site serves as a tourist destination