Tri Widjaja, Ali Altway, Lily Pudjiastuti, Fibrillian Zata Lini, Dennis Farina Nury, Toto Iswanto

Department of Chemical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Kampus ITS Keputih Sukolilo-Surabaya 60111, Indonesia

Abstract

Arenga pinnata is rich in hemicellulose (27.95 %) and lignin (36.98 %). In this study, it was processed in a three-step process to produce reducing sugar; lignocellulose pretreatment, optimization and enzymatic hydrolysis. A combination of acid and organosolv pretreatment was expected to remove a significant amount of lignin from the biomass, but not dissolve much hemicellulose. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to determine optimum operational conditions (ethanol concentration, pretreatment time and temperature) for the organosolv pretreatment, which minimized inhibition by lignin in the enzymatic hydrolysis process. Lignin content was analyzed using gravimetric method. Reducing sugar was analyzed using the 3.5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS method) and validated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). From the RSM results, it can be concluded that all the variables studied were significant (p<0.05), apart from the interaction between pretreatment time and temperature (p>0.05), which had an R² of 99.38 %^­. The optimum conditions for organosolv pretreatment were obtained at 30.35% (v/v) ethanol concentration, 107 °C, and 33 minutes pretreatment time. The enzymatic hydrolysis process was conducted with different combinations of enzymes, and with Tween 80 as a surfactant. The best yield of reducing sugar was 20.28 % by using the combination of cellulase-xylanase enzymes with Tween 80, while the combination of enzymes without Tween 80 resulted in a yield of 18.15 %.

Keywords: Enzymatic hydrolysis, Organosolv pretreatment, Response surface methodology, Sugar palm starch waste, Tween 80

Wan Zuraida Wan Mohd Zain^1,2,3*, Norizan Ahmat^3,4, Yaya Rukayadi⁵, Che Puteh Osman^3,4,

Nor Asma Husna Yusoff⁵, Neneng Winda⁶

¹Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jasin Campus, 77300 Merlimau, Melaka, Malaysia

²Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam Campus, 40450, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

³Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

⁴Atta-ur-Rahman Institute for Natural Product Discovery, Universiti Teknologi MARA Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

⁵Faculty of Food Science and Technology and Laboratory of Natural Products, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

⁶Department of Science Education, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Education, Sunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University, Bandung, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper will discuss, in vitro investigation of chemical constituents extracted from the stem bark of Dipterocarpus verrucosus, Dipterocarpus crinitus and Dipterocarpus cornutus against opportunistic filamentous fungi. In this research, 17 compounds comprised of twelve oligostilbenoids, (-)-e-viniferin ,(-)-laevifonol,  (-)-hopeaphenol , (-)-isohopeaphenol, vaticanol B,  diptoindonesin E, hemsleyanol D, davidiol A, resveratrol, ampelopsin A, ampelopsin F, together with three other phenolic; gallic acid derivative, (-)-bergenin, scopoletin and 4-methoxygallocathecin and also two terpene; β-sitosterol and β-sitosterol glucoside have been isolated. In this study, the crude extracts and isolated compounds were evaluated regarding to their antifungal activity; in terms of MIC, MFC and germination assay against pathogenic fungi strains, namely Aspergillus flavus (AF), Aspergillus oligosporus (AO), Rhizophus oryzae (RO) and Fusarium oxysporum (FO) using Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) methods.  The MIC of crude extracts and isolated compounds against all fungi ranged from 3.8 – 500 µg/mL. F. oxysporum shows the most sensitive microorganisms on crude extract: D. verrucosus, D. cornutus and isolated compound: ε-viniferin with MIC of 3.8 µg/mL. The MIC was lower compared to amphotericin B (4 µg/ml). The strain was killed at the MFC of 31.3, 31.3 and 15.6 µg/mL respectively, as compared to amphotericin B (8 µg/mL). Compounds: resveratrol, laevifonol, ε-viniferin, ampelopsin F, vaticanol B, vaticanol A, isomer of hopeaphenol and isohopeaphenol, β-sitosterol and β-sitosterolglucoside possessed an inhibitory activity on the conidial germination of  F. oxysporum at the concentration of 4× MIC. On top of that, D. cornutus, ampelopsin A and hemsleyanol D possessed a complete sterility at the concentration of 2×MIC while D.verrucosus achieved its inhibitory activity at 1× MIC. To the best of our study, there is no data discussing the inhibition of conidial germination of filamentous fungi using the tested compounds and crudes tested.

Keywords: Antifungal, In vitro, Opportunistic fungi, Phenolic compounds, Stilbenoid

Pham Quang Tuyen¹, Tran Thi Kim Huong², Trinh Ngoc Bon¹, Phung Dinh Trung¹, Bui Thanh Tan¹, Nguyen Thi Hoai Anh¹, Nguyen Thanh Son¹, Hoang Thanh Son¹, Trieu Thai Hung¹, Ninh Viet Khuong¹,  Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong¹, Nguyen Van Tuan¹, Nguyen Quang Hung¹, Do Thi Ha³, Pham Tien Dung¹, Nong Xuan Cu¹, Tran Van Do^1*

¹ Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam

² Department of Science and Technology of Lai Chau, Tan Phong, Lai Chau City, Lai Chau Province, Vietnam,

³ National Institute of Medicinal Materials, 3B Quang Trung, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract

Species of the genus Panax L. known as ginsengs are perennial forest herbs. The medical values of ginsengs are well known. Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus was found in Laichau province, North Vietnam in 2003 and is known as Laichau ginseng. Understanding the ecology and saponin of high economically valuable Laichau ginseng is becoming important for sustainable development and management. Plots of 400 m² (20 m × 20 m) were established to survey for Laichau ginseng’s ecological characteristics. In addition, its root samples from natural forests and garden of local people were collected for saponin analysis and anatomy. The results indicated that Laichau ginseng naturally distributes in evergreen broadleaved forests in elevation zones up to 2,100 m above sea level. It can grow in both old-growth forests and anthropogenic-disturbed forests.  However, the total crown area of tree (stem with a diameter at breast height ≥5 cm) layer must be high, ranging from 3.2 to 8.6 times of the land area. In addition, the cover of herb layer is also important, which must be ≥44% land area. The saponin content of Laichau ginseng in natural forest (23.85%) is statistically significantly higher than that of other ginsengs (3÷22.29%) naturally distributing in Vietnam. While saponin content of Laichau ginseng (18.48%) grown in the garden of local people is statistically significantly lower than that collected from natural forests. It is concluded that Laichau ginseng could be a potentially perennial forest herb for poverty reduction. However, growing this herb may be restricted to very narrow areas in high elevational evergreen broadleaved forests with a high cover rate of both tree and herb layers.

Keywords: Laichau, Panax L., Saponin, Sustainable management, Vietnamese ginseng

Raufa Batool¹, Shafiq ur Rehman², Mazhar Rafique¹, Amna¹, Javed Ali¹, Tehmeena Mukhtar¹,

Shehzad Mahmood¹, Tariq Sultan³, Farooq Hussain Munis¹, Hassan Javed Chaudhary^1*

¹Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

²College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Punjab Lahore 54000, Pakistan

³Land Resource Research Institute, NARC, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Natural interactions between plant and associated microbes have vital importance in plant growth and vigor. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) modulates growth promotion and suppression of plant diseases. Maize (Zea mays L.) being an important cereal crop faces loss in annual yield due to stalk rot caused by fungal pathogen Fusarium moniliforme. Native bacteria can be used to reduce fungal disease and could provide a sustainable solution to reduce yield loss by pathogen attack. Two antagonistic PGPR, Bacillus gibsonii and Brevibacterium frigoritolerans were investigated for their potential to enhance growth and ameliorate the negative effects of F. moniliforme on both diseased effected and normal plants. Two maize varieties TP-1217 (Variety A) and TP-1221 (Variety B) were subjected to different treatments under greenhouse conditions by using a completely randomized design. Analysis of plant growth parameters, chlorophyll and proline contents, electrolyte leakage, antioxidant enzyme activities, and disease index assessment was done to examine the induced tolerance and plant growth promotion by applied PGPR. Results indicated potential antifungal activity of bacterial strains. Inoculation of bacterial strains to plants reduced disease and enhanced plant growth parameters. Disease suppression was influenced by 67% and plant growth was enhanced significantly. Relative electrolyte leakage reduced by 52 -55% and more than 80% disease control in both varieties of the plant was observed. Application of bacteria as biocontrol agents in combination with current disease protection strategies could aid in global food security.

Keywords: Biocontrol, Phytopathogens, Antagonistic activity, PGPB, Stalk rot disease, Fusarium moniliforme

Ong Mei Gee^1,4, Rohana Abdul Jalil^1,4, Wan Rosli Wan Ishak^{2,4 *}, Noor Aman  Hamid ^1,4, Che Badariah Abdul Aziz¹, Wan Suriati Wan Nik^2,4, Noor Fadzlina Hamid^2,4, Vasanti Malik^3,4, Walter  Willet^3,4, Frank Hu^3,4

¹School of Medical Sciences, 16150 Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia

²School of Health Sciences, 16150 Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia

³Department of Nutrition, Harvard Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 USA

⁴Global Nutrition and Epidemiological Transition Initiative (GNET),  Harvard Chan School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 USA

Abstract

Rice is the staple food in Malaysia. There are limited literature about study on the elemental levels and observation on ultrastructure of commercially available white rice and brown rice in Malaysia. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the concentration of elements in three uncooked long rice grain, i.e. two brown rice and one white rice varieties that are commercially available in Malaysia using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and compare the structure and elements of uncooked and cooked rice grain using Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The ICP-MS results of the three uncooked rice grains showed high concentration of copper, manganese and zinc, followed with potassium, magnesium and calcium. Besides, the element contaminant such as plumbum, antimony and cadmium in the rice grains were under Malaysian permissible limit (Malaysian Food Act, 1983) and international standard  (FAO/WHO, 2002). Arsenic was below Malaysian permissible limit but higher than safe limit by international standard. Silicon was observed in brown rice after viewed by using SEM-EDX. Besides, brown rice showed higher concentration of elements than white rice

Keywords: Brown rice, Elements, ICP-MS, SEM-EDX, White rice

Arief Widyantoro, Hadiwiyono, Subagiya

Graduate School of Agronomy, Universitas Sebelas Maret in Surakarta, Jl. Ir. Sutami 36A, Solo, Indonesia

Abstract

Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum F. sp. cubense (FOC) is an important disease on banana. Fusarium wilt was hard to control because the pathogen can survive in many kind of soils type although there is no host. Therefore, overcoming the disease is urgently needed to develop such as biological control. Biofertilizer bacteria, such as Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Streptomyces and Bacillus were begun to use as antagonist agent to the pathogen. This research aimed to study the mechanism of antagonism of the biofertilizer bacteria toward FOC. There were 4 isolates examined in vitro to test the production of chitinase, pectinase, and antagonism. The research showed that all isolates of biofertilizer bacteria were able to produce chitinase and pectinase except Azospirillum. Streptomyces and Bacillus were able to inhibit the growth of FOC colony at 80.45 and 87.71% respectively. Combination of Azotobacter to Streptomyces is compatible as well as Azospirillum to Bacillus. Azotobacter to Azospirillum is incompatible as well as Streptomyces to Bacillus.

Keywords: Banana, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, Streptomyces, Bacillus

Raza Ali Rind¹, Abdul Wahid Baloch¹, Wajid Ali Jatoi¹, Muhammad Azeem Asad², Aamir Ali khokhar³, Feroz Gul Nizamani¹, Muhammad Rafique Rind⁴, Abdul Latif Nizamani⁵, Mir Muhammad Nizamani^3*

¹Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics Faculty of Crop Production, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan

²Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad, Pakistan

³Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry of Education, School of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China

⁴Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Crop Production, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan

⁵Agricultural Education Extension, Agricultural Social Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, Pakistan

Abstract

In this analysis, the genetic diversity in 50 (25 commercial and 25 landraces) bread wheat genotypes were examined for phenotype, with a goal of revealing correlations between yield and 12 other common agro-morphological characters. An experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The mean squares values from analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences for all 13 character among the tested genotypes, indicating that these materials can be evaluated in further experiments. Based on mean performance, the commercial wheat variety NIA-Sundar and landrace T-23 produced the maximum grain yield per plot when compared to the other genotypes, demonstrating the importance of these two genotypes in wheat breeding programs. High heritability estimates (h2) were detected for all character, signifying that the variation observed was mainly under genetic control and was less influenced by the environment.  Hence, the improvement of this character can be made through direct phenotypic selection. The results also showed that spike length, grains spike^-1, grain weight spike^-1, tillers/m², seed index, and biological yield plot^-1 had positive and significant associations with grain yield plot^-1, demonstrating that genotypes having more of this character may be preferred in selection for generating high yielding bread wheat genotypes. Comparing the genetic variability between commercial and landraces of bread wheat through PCA, traditional wheat genotypes tended to possess more genetic variance in the first three components of PCA than its counterpart. That indicates that old wheat genotypes possess precious genetic resources; thus, these genetic resources should be cultivated in future breeding programs. Via cluster analysis, diverse parents have also been identified, signifying their importance for upcoming hybridization programs.

Keywords: Bread wheat, Genetic diversity, Commercial and Landraces Genotypes

Yacobus Sunaryo^1,2*, Djoko Purnomo¹, Maria Theresia Darini², Vita Ratri Cahyani¹

¹Department of Agricultural Science, Graduate School of Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta 57126, Indonesia

²Faculty of Agriculture, University of Sarjanawiyata Tamansiswa, Yogyakarta 55164, Indonesia

Abstract

A research on the grafting of potato and black nightshade plants can be a new interesting report. This research was carried out in the greenhouse of Horticultural Seed Center Station in Pakem, Yogyakarta, Indonesia at an altitude of 780 m above sea level. In this research, a potato plant was used as the rootstock while a black nightshade plant was used as the scion. This research was conducted to examine the effect of grafting on tuber formation and endophyte dynamic of potato-black nightshade grafted with an application of liquid fertilizer made from goat manure. The plants consisted of three levels: potato plants, grafted plants, and black nightshade plants. Liquid fertilizer application consisted of two levels: without liquid fertilizer application, and with liquid fertilizer application. The liquid fertilizer was applied once a week in the range concentration of 1900-2000 µSCm^-1 with total volume 0.5 liter per plants. Tuber formation was affected not only by the grafting of the plants but also by liquid fertilizer application. Potato with liquid fertilizer application produced the highest weight of tubers. There were about 66 % of grafted plants that produced tubers with sprouts, around 21.5% that produced irregular tubers and 12.5 % that produced regular tubers. Application of liquid fertilizer resulted a larger total bacteria in potato plants, in black nightshade plants, as well as in grafted plants. A population of bacteria in grafted plants was accumulated more in the connected stem, whereas the total of bacteria in the lower connected stem (rootstock) was larger than that in the upper connected stem (scion).

Keywords: Black nightshade scion, Grafted plants, Potato rootstock, Goat manure, Liquid fertilizer

Yusnita Hamzah*, Revathi Subramaniam, Nor Hayati Ibrahim, Suhana Muhamad Hanidun

School of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

The characteristics of breadfruit starch after cross-linked using 2%, 5%, and 10% of a mixture of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP)/ sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) (99/1% w/w) and their feasibility in batter formulation were investigated. The concentrations of 2%, 5%, and 10% of STMP/STPP led to high (85.99%) medium (64.43%) and low (49.59%) cross-linking degree of breadfruit starches, respectively. Swelling power of native and high cross-linked breadfruit starches (CLBS) were significantly higher than that of medium and low CLBS. In addition, enthalpy of gelatinization (ΔH) of high cross-linked CLBS was the lowest (1.81 J/g) among the others. Different degrees of cross-linking did not significantly affect the appearances (size and shape) and crystallinity of breadfruit starches. Batters were prepared by combining wheat flour and native or CLBS (1:1).  All batters behaved as shear-thinning fluids and batter with the highest cross-linking degree (CLBS with 2% STMP/ STPP) had the highest consistency (K, 0.46 Pasⁿ) compared to other CLBS formulations. Water retention capacity of batters containing native and high CLBS were significantly higher than batters containing medium and low CLBS. The pick-up of batter incorporated with low degree of CLBS (10% STMP/ STPP) was significantly lower than other batters. However, the cooking yield of batters containing native and different degrees of CLBS as well as their moisture and fat content were insignificantly affected. In summary, addition of 2% STMP/STPP as cross-linking agents obviously exhibited high  degree of cross-linking in breadfruit starch without change most of the starch and batter properties. It uses in other food application are worth studied.

Keywords: Starch, Cross-link, Breadfruit, Batter, Frying

Jawad Amin¹, Khuram Mubeen^1*, Matlob Ahmad², Mudassir Aziz¹, Muhammad Arif³

¹Department of Agronomy, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan

²Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan

³Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan

Abstract

Studies were conducted to examine the effect of legumes and oilseed crop strips on inter-cropping properties and yield related parameters during the Rabi season 2017-18 at three selected locations in Mithawan Hill Torrent (spate) irrigated fields of Dera Ghazi Khan Punjab- Pakistan. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having three replications. The sole strips of chickpea, arugula (locally called taramira), lentil were evaluated. Chickpea-arugula alternate strip, chickpea-lentil alternate strip, arugula-lentil alternate strip and chickpea-arugula- lentil alternate strip in combination were also investigated. Data was analyzed through ANOVA technique and differences among the treatments were tested using HSD Tukey’s test. The obtained results shows that the Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of sole chickpea was 0.97 and LER of strip intercropping was 1.79 which shows distinct advantage of strip intercropping. Relative Crowding Coefficient (RCC) value for chickpea, arugula and lentil were 25, 9.44 and 0.1, respectively when compared with the sole strip cropping. It shows that intercropping of chickpea and arugula were effective. Chickpea and arugula strip inter crop resulted in better LER and RCC with reasonable yield of both crops under the spate irrigated conditions of Mithawan hill torrent command area Dera Ghazi Khan Punjab (Pakistan). Area time equivalent ratio could not bring significant differences among the strip inter cropping treatments. Lentil could not succeed in strip inter cropping in spate irrigated situations of Mithawan hill torrent. The obtained results recorded maximum 1000 seed weight of chickpea (144.80 g) and arugula (4.72 g); seed yield of chickpea (800.16 kg ha^-1), arugula (433.14 kg ha^-1), respectively when both crops were grown in the form of separate sole strip. Hence for achieving maximum yield, the farmers of spate irrigated area of Mithawan hill torrent area should sow chickpea or arugula as a sole strip.

Keywords: Arugula, Chickpea, Inter cropping, Lentil, Mithawan hill torrent, Spate irrigated area, Strip cropping, Yield