Showing papers in "Biotropia: The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Biology in 2015"

Biological remediation of cyanide: a review

Abstract: Cyanide and its complexes are produced by industries all over the world as waste or effluents. Biodegradation is considered to be the cheapest and the most effective method to get rid of cyanide in the environment. Several studies on different types of microorganisms that can degrade cyanide in the environment have been carried out. Hydrolytic, oxidative, reductive, and substitutive/transfer reactions are some of the common pathways used by microorganisms in cyanide degradation. Biodegradation of cyanide can occur aerobically or an-aerobically depending on the environmental conditions. Immobilised enzymes or microorganisms prove to be very effective method of degradation. Microorganisms such as Klebsiella oxytoca , Corynebacterium nitrophilous , Brevibacterium nitrophilous , Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Rhodococcus UKMP-5M have been reported to be very effective in biodegradation of cyanide.

Diversity of epiphytic orchids and host trees (phorophytes) in secondary forest of coban trisula, malang regency, east java, indonesia

Abstract: Introduction: Epiphytic orchids are an integral component of forest ecosystems that contributes to a high proportion of plant diversity. Host trees are a natural habitat requirement of epiphytic orchids on which the orchids live on. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of epiphytic orchid and the host tree in a secondary forest of Coban Trisula (the Trisula waterfall) in a Mount Bromo area. Two line transects were used, with each line transect of 150 m x 10 m was divided into 15 plots (the size of each plot 10 m x 10 m), resulting in the total number of 30 sampling plots at the study site. Data (the species name and number of individuals of epiphytic orchid, the species name and number of individuals of host tree species, vertical distribution of the epiphytic orchids on the host tree, and environmental factors (temperature and relative humidity) were recorded in each plot. Results: There were 15 epiphytic orchid species, 13 genera in the secondary forest of Coban Trisula. Appendicula angustifolia was the most abundant epiphytic orchid species (Relative abundance of orchids; % Fo=52,4%), followed by Trichotosia annulata (% Fo=29,9%). There were nine host tree species on which the orchids attached. Number of host tree species of each orchid species varied, from one to five host tree species. Trichotosia annulata was an orchid that had the highest number of host tree species; 5 species). Castanopsis javanica, was a host tree on which the highest number of individual orchids attached (Ji/Jt= 589,5), followed by Engelhardia spicata (Ji/Jt=425,67). The greatest abundance of epiphytic orchids was on zone 3 and zone 4. Mean temperature was 22,2⁰C, and relative humidity was 72,8 % at the site. Conclusion : The secondary forest of Coban Trisula had a diverse epiphytic orchid species and the host tree species. Management of orchid conservation is required to protect the diversity of orchids and the host tree species in the secondary forest in Coban Trisula from the potential human disturbances as Coban Trisula is one of tourist destinations. Key words: diversity, epiphytic orchid, host tree, secondary forest, Coban Trisula

Fungal Infection and Aflatoxin Contamination in Stored Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) Kernels at Various Stages of Delivery Chain in North Sulawesi Province

Abstract: Nutmeg ( Myristica fragrans Houtt.) or fragrant nutmeg is an important commodity that has been used in food industry and medicine, hence its quality should be monitored. The objectives of the research were to obtain informations on the postharvest handling of nutmeg conducted by farmers, collectors and exporters in North Sulawesi province and to investigate the occurrence of fungi (included A. flavus ) and aflatoxin contamination in stored nutmeg collected from farmers, collectors and exporters in North Sulawesi province. Moisture content and percentage of damaged kernels were also investigated, because they affect fungal infection. Surveys and obtaining samples of nutmeg in different points of the delivery chain were done in April and May 2013, in three regencies (North Minahasa, Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) and Sangihe Talaud) and two cities (Bitung and Manado). Interviews were conducted during the surveys to collect informations on the postharvest handling of nutmeg in different points of the delivery chain. The total number of nutmeg samples collected from different point of the delivery chain was 76. It consisted of samples collected from farmers (25 samples), collectors (22), and exporters (29). The results showed that in general, the moisture content of nutmeg collected from North Sulawesi province was not higher than the maximum limit of moisture content determineted by SNI (10%). In general, nutmeg collected from farmers and collectors had high percentage of damaged kernels. Aspergillus niger and Endomyces fibuliger were the dominant fungi infecting nutmeg collected from farmers and collectors, while Eurotium repens was the dominant fungus infecting nutmeg collected from exporters. Aflatoxin B 1 and total aflatoxin contents in nutmeg collected from farmers and exporters were relatively high. Based on the results of this study, the method of postharvest handling of nutmeg conducted by farmers, collectors and exporters in North Sulawesi province (North Minahasa, Sitaro and Sangihe Talaud regencies, Bitung and Manado cities) should be improved to minimize aflatoxin contamination. Keywords : aflatoxin, fungi, Myristica fragrans Houtt., nutmeg, North Sulawesi province, delivery chain

Molecular characterization of begomovirus infecting yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L.) in java, Indonesia

Abstract: Begomovirus was identified as one of the causal agents causing yellow mosaic disease on yard long bean ( Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis L.) in Java. Research was conducted to characterize the virus based on its nucleotide sequences. Research was started by field survey to collect leaf samples, followed by virus detection using polymerase chain reaction and analysis of virus sequences. Samples from Tegal, Klaten, Magelang, Cirebon, Subang, and Bogor were positively infected by Begomovirus based on specific viral DNA amplification. Sequence analysis indicated that Begomovirus infecting yard long bean belongs to the same group with Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Nepal. Further analysis showed the conserved region of Begomovirus around Common Region, i.e. “TATA box” Sequence, Hair Pin Loop Structure, Repetitive Sequence, and the Conserved Nonanucleotide Sequence TAATATTAC. Key words: common region, DNA sequencing, ELISA, MYMIV, PCR

RAPD Analysis to Detect Somaclonal Variation of Pineapple In Vitro Cultures during Micropropagation

Abstract: Plant off-types still become a concern in pineapple micropropagation. Reliable methods are needed to detect and to reduce plant off-types. This research was conducted to confirm the occurrence of somaclonal variation during micropropagation, to know the level of variation in three different populations, to detect and to reduce the somaclonal variation of pineapple clone Simadu. The first population was the acclimatized plants and plantlets of four-year old cultures. The second population was the plantlets yielded from three kinds of regeneration methods (direct organogenesis, indirect organogenesis, somatic embryogenesis) derived from the normal phenotype shoots selected from the first population. The third population was the new in vitro cultures regenerated by shoot proliferation and direct organogenesis methods. RAPD analysis by using 10 primers was performed to confirm genetic variation. The result showed that the phenotypic variation occurred in the four year-old pineapple plants and plantlets were due to genetic variation. This research has proved that the long-period of cultures is the main contributor of somaclonal variation, while the regeneration method and plant growth regulator could also induce genetic variation. The new cultures showed higher level of similarity. Therefore, it needs a correct strategy to apply micropropagation method.

Response of Lonkida (Nauclea orientalis L.) towards Mycorrhizal Inoculum in Waterlogged Condition

Abstract: This study was carried out to examine the morpho-anatomical adaptation, survival, growth, biomass and nutrient uptake of lonkida ( Nauclea orientalis L.) from different habitats inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on waterlogging conditions for 90 days. The results showed that the lonkida seedlings formed lenticels (100%), adventitious roots (41%) and aerenchym under waterlogging conditions. Seedling from dry land habitats, both mycorrhizal and no-mycorrhizal, have a height growth rate lower than those from other habitat types. Similarly for relative growth rates of shoot (RGRs), root (RGRr) and total (RGRt) dry weight and the ratio of root shoots. Treatments of temporal swamp habitat without waterlogging and waterlogging and savanna with waterlogging have RGRt greater than other treatments. In general, plant dry weight (root, shoot and total) and total N in roots and shoots was greater in the interactionbetween temporalswamp habitat with no-mycorrhizal on waterlogging condition. Independently, waterlogging increase the pool of average height gain (18%), diameter (46%) and leaf area (40%), leaf length (17%) and leaf width (21%). Nonetheless, treatment waterlogging decreased variable number of leaves (9%) andAMF colonization (71%). The results of this study indicate that the seedlings from the temporal swamp has good growth and high biomass in the conditions without or with waterlogging. Keywords : arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, lonkida, morpho-anatomical adaptations, Nauclea orientalis L, swamp, waterlogging

Fiber Disruption of Betung Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) by Combined Fungal and Microwave Pretreatment

Abstract: Normal 0 false false false IN X-NONE X-NONE Combined fungal and microwave pretreatment is an attractive method to alter carbohydrate and lignin structure of lignocellulosic materials for improving hydrolysis process in order to convert these lignocellulosic materials to bioethanol. This study was conducted to obtain the information on the characteristic changes of cellulose and lignin after combined biological and microwave pretreatment of Betung B amboo. Based on our previous research, incubation for 30 days both for 5 and 10% liquid-inoculum loading of white rot fungi, Trametes versicolor, was chosen as the fungal pretreatment prior to microwave pretreatment at 30% power level for 5, 10 and 12.5 minutes. The evaluation of characteristic changes after combined pretreatment was performed using the analysis of FT-IR spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction and SEM. FTIR spectra demonstrated that the combined pretreatment only affected the decrease of intensity bands of FTIR spectra with increasing microwave irradiation time, without any changes in the functional groups. This band intensity decrease occured on unconjugated bonds of carbohydrate peaked at 1736 (C=0 in xylan), 1373 (C-H deformation in cellulose and hemicellulose), 1165 (C-O-C vibration in cellulose and hemicellulose), and 895 (C-H deformation or C-O-C stretching at β-glicosidic linkage characteristic in cellulose) cm -1 . The pretreatment decreased the hydrogen bond stretching of cellulose and the linkage between lignin and carbohydrate . This decrease of hydrogen bond was associated with crystallinity of bamboo cellulose , ilustrated by occurring structural changes. Syringil propane units were more soluble than guiacyl moieties. The crystallinity of cellulose tended to increase slightly due to the cleavage of the amorphous fraction. SEM image s illustrated that t he pretreatment disrupted the fiber structure while the longer microwave irradiation, the greater fiber degradation level. Prolonging microwave irradiation on 5% inoculum loading decreased lignin degrading ability. Crystalline allomorph of 5% inoculum loading for 10 minutes showed that I β (triclinic) structure of cellulose has transformed into monoclinic (I α ) structure. Key words: betung bamboo, combined biological and microwave pretreatment, cellulose and lignin changes, FTIR, SEM, XRD /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

The Expansion of Merremia peltata (L.) Merrill in Fragmented Forest of Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park Enhanced by Its Ecophysiological Attributes

Abstract: 800x600 Normal 0 false false false IN X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} Forest open ing and fragmentation may affect the composition of vegetation by permitting the expansion or domination of one or two species in the area. This study found that Merremia peltata , an invasive climbing/creeping species, has dominated some areas of Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP). D omination of this species was favoured by forest fragmentation, indicated by the significantly higher number of individuals of M. peltata in the open area than in intact forest. The ecophysiological characters of M. peltata support the ability of this species to become a strong invader. As the expansion of this species may negatively affect the biodiversity and vegetation health, the application of appropriate ecological approach es to control the domination of M. peltata in the conservation area is necessary. Normal 0 false false false IN X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}

Mortality and Ingrowth Pattern of Dipterocarps in Forest Recovery in East Kalimantan

Abstract: In primary and logged-over natural forest , the stand conditions such as stand structure , mortality and ingrowth rates will vary according to the species characteristic. The study objective was to determine mortality and ingrowth /recruitment rates to formulate biometric characteristic variability of dipterocarps forest in logged-over forests based on time series data. The study site was located in Labanan, East Kalimantan Province . Permanent measurement plots within logged -over forest were located to represent three different logging techniques , i.e ., ( a ) reduced impact logging with limit diameter 50 cm (RIL 50), ( b ) RIL 60, ( c ) conventional logging and (d) primary forest as control . Total plot permanent area about 48 ha that measured 2 years periodically along 17 years after logging . Data a nalysis of stands were divided into two major groups, i.e., Dipterocarps and n on Dipterocarps . The mortality rates on logged forest were 2.5-29.3 % ha - 1 2yr - 1 then very close d to primary forest after the 5th year after logging. While the ingrowth rate in logged forest were 1.3 – 21.3% ha - 1 2yr - 1 that have higher value than the primary forest along 17 years . T he mortality and ingrowth rates fluctuation of Dipterocarps species group having different pattern with non Dipterocarps. Keywords : Dipterocarps, logged-over forest, mortality, ingrowth

Microhabitat Influence on Growth Distribution Pattern of Ramin (Gonystylus bancanus) in Siak, Riau Province

Abstract: Plant growth distribution patterns are influenced by distribution of habitat characteristics, capacity of adaptation, and association with other plant species or animals. Global climate change has serious impact on the changing habitat which eventually threat plants. This study has objectives: (1) to measure plant growth dependence on their microhabitat; (2) to define microhabitat variables that influence growth significantly; and (3) to formulate suitable conservation efforts for certain species. Gonystylus bancanus is one of major timber species that has been facing high exploitation in Indonesia. This species is usually found on specific “peat swamps” ecosystem. Data were collected through primary surveys in Riau Province. Data analyses were peformed by clustering the adult base on variable of height and width of basalt area, and describing distribution pattern of the cluster. Then, Discriminant Function Analysis was used to overlay the cluster with the distribution of microhabitat characteristic consist ing of altitude, slope, soil humidity, soil pH, peat depth and percentage of canopy cover. The result shows, distribution of microhabitat match with 67.4% of height distribution and 78.3% of width distribution of basalt area. Altitude and canopy cover percentage have significant correlation with height distribution (α=0.05). Meanwhile, altitude, canopy cover, and slope have significant correlation with width distribution of basalt area (α=0.1). However, peat depth variable shows interesting pattern since shallower peat depth are followed by wider of basalt area. High correlation between plant growth and its microhabitat suggests that in-situ conservation is better strategy than ex-situ conservation and this is particularly true for Gonystylus bancanus conservation management

Study of Herbal Topical Repellent Made of Betel Leaves (Piper Betle) and Patchouli Oil (Pogostemon Cablin) Mixture Against Yellow Fever Mosquito (Aedes Aegypti)

Abstract: Introduction: Exploration of plants as natural repellants to avoid Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that transmit dengue virus to human is worthy . Betel vine leaves ( Piper betle L.) could be used as the material of repellant. The study is aimed to test the repellency , potency, and the safety of Piper betel and patchoulli oil modified gel against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Methods: This study is an experimental study and used nulliparous (3-5 days old) female Aedes aegypti . Before the study, safety test w as done which consist s of an i rritation test. The effectivity test used five treatments : DEET gel for positive control, piper and patchouli mixture gel, piper only gel, patchouli only gel and gel base only. The five treatments were tested as a repellant with five repetitive applications. The effectiveness of Aedes aegypti ’s rejection from biting the arms was analyzed using protective percentage. Results: The irritation test showed no safety concerns. Protective percentage analysis shows that modified betel vine gel has estimated mean protective power of over 90% for 6 hours . The data showed that the modified gels has about the same protective percentage as the DEET (ratio: PP (Neem+piper)/PP (DEET) =0.98; 95% confidence interval 0.93, 1.04; p-value=0.50) Conclusion Betel vine oil with modified formulation has a potential to be utilized as Aedes aegypti mosquito repellant and is safe to be used in further repellency test s .

Spatial Pattern in Beta Diversity of Echinoidea and Asteroidea Communities from the Coastal Area of Tomia Island, Wakatobi Marine National Park, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract: The present study was aimed to elucidate the spatial pattern in the beta diversity of marine bentic for Echinoidea and Asteroidea that assemblages the coastal area of Tomia Island, Wakatobi Marine National Park, Indonesia. The two transect lines of 460 and 260 m in length with small quadrats of 1m2 wide were placed at the open and unopen beaches perpendicularly to the coastlines. The important value index and similarity index SI of organisms on these taxa were estimated in each the transect. Echinometra mathaei was the most dominant Echinoidea at open and unpen beaches, while Protoreaster nodusus was the most dominant Asteroidea at both areas. Most of SI values of Echinoidea at open beach were estimated less than 50%, which was lower than SI values that of organisms at unopen beach. On the other hand, most of SI values of Asteroidea at both areas were estimated more than 70% representing high similarity degree of its species composition among sites. The disimilarity index of organisms in the taxa of Echinoidea and Asteroidae was increased significantly as increasing the distance of among stands, which suggested that pettern in beta diversity of these taxa was associated with the spatial heterogenity.