Abstract. Mutala’liah, Manan A, Bayyinah LN. 2023. Abundance and diversity of terrestrial free-living nematodes in potato agroecosystem. Nusantara Bioscience 15: 129-136. The presence of terrestrial free-living nematodes in agroecosystems is frequently overlooked. However, these microorganisms in agroecosystems soil are beneficial for supporting plant growth. These microorganisms could recycle the nitrogen in soil, decomposition and mineralization of organic matter, and suppress the densities of plant parasitic nematodes through their life strategy. Terrestrial free-living nematodes are classified according to trophic groups such as bacterivores, fungivores, predators, and omnivores. Reports on the abundance and diversity of terrestrial free-living nematode populations in agroecosystems, especially on potato plantations, were limited. They usually focused on the plant parasitic nematode’s attack on potatoes. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the diversity and abundance of terrestrial free-living nematodes in potato agroecosystems. The current study was conducted in two potato fields in Pratin Village, Serang, Purbalingga, Central Java, Indonesia. Soil samples were collected from two potato fields planted with different varieties (Granola and Atlantik) and extracted using the Whitehead-tray method. The variables observed were the diversity of genera and the abundance of terrestrial free-living nematode populations from each field. Population density data were analyzed by T-test, and diversity (H'), evenness (E), and dominance index (D) were also calculated. The results showed that the mean population densities of terrestrial free-living nematodes in the two fields were significantly higher at 918.40 individuals/ 100 g of soil in the Atlantik field than in the Granola field 76.53 individuals/ 100 g of soil. However, the diversity, evenness, and dominance index were not significantly different in both fields. Genera of nematode found in the Granola field were Diplogaster, Dorylaimus, Trypilla, and Lotonchus, while in the Atlantik field were Rhabditis and Dorylaimus.

Abstract. Nugrahesthi GH, Wijayanti GE, Habibah AN. 2023. Embryo and larvae development of Nilem Fish, Osteochilus vittatus reared in batik liquid waste. Nusantara Bioscience 15: 105-112. The embryonic and larval stages are critical phases of an organism's development. For aquatic organisms, development is affected by environmental factors such as liquid waste. A batik liquid waste is a waste product of the textile industry usually streamed directly into the aquatic environment. This study aimed to observe the effects of exposure to batik liquid waste effects on developing Nilem (Osteochilus vittatus Valenciennes, 1842) fish embryos and larvae. The research was conducted using a completely randomized design. One hundred two-celled embryos were kept in batik liquid waste with dilution concentrations of 0% (the control), 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% of water until the age of 4 days after hatching with five replications. The time of embryo evaluation was 60th minutes, 120th minutes, and 180th minutes after fertilization; the larval stage evaluation time was the 24th, 48th, 72nd, and 96th hour after fertilization; five embryos were evaluated for each replication. The results showed that embryo exposure to batik liquid waste affected the height of the blastoderm embryo, accumulation of waste in the chorion of the embryo, deceleration of embryonic development, increased larval abnormalities, decreased the survival rate of larvae, and acceleration of yolk absorption of fish larvae. Embryos were successfully hatched and produced larvae only in the control and 5% batik liquid waste medium. Batik liquid waste interfered with O. vittatus embryo development and generated mortality above 5%.

Abstract. Hanun Z, Athaya DN, Sholekha AM, Damayanti CE, Nazar IA, Cahyaningsih AP, Junaedi E, Buot JR IE Setyawan AD. 2023. The use of non-medicinal plants by the community of Ayah Village in South Gombong Karst Area, Kebumen, Central Java, Indonesia. Nusantara Bioscience 15: 68-78. In the homegardens of the people of Kebumen District, Central Java Province, Indonesia, especially in the karst area of Ayah Village, usually planted various plant species with many benefits. However, the knowledge of the people of Ayah Village, Kebumen, about the various benefits of plants is only known from generation to generation, passed on orally and in daily practice habits, so a study is needed to document this information. This study aimed to determine the knowledge of local communities and various types of non-medicinal plants used to fulfill people's daily lives. Data was collected through survey techniques and open interviews with a purposive sampling method with 40 respondents. An inventory of non-medicinal plants resulted in findings of 118 plant species from 59 families. The plants used consisted of 51 species of food plants, 40 species of ornamental plants, 19 species of spices, six species of animal feed, six species of firewood, five species of building materials, and two species of hedges. Some species have more than one use. Our study showed that most of the local community uses plants as food with more diverse plant species compared to other uses.

Abstract. Purnama PC, Sumardi I, Nugroho LH. 2022. Fruit development and capsaicin content of hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) plant cultivated in different soil salinity stress. Nusantara Bioscience 14: 166-171. Land scarcity for cropping at Java Island is a challenge for scientists to look for alternative cropping land. The use of saline land for cropping needs to have further discussed. Red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) can be used as a plant model because, aside from being used as a vegetable, it is also used as natural medicine because of its secondary metabolite, capsaicin. A harsh environment could induce changes in the primary metabolism, which leads to secondary metabolite decomposition. For example, plants respond to stress, such as salt stress, by synthesizing flavonoids and phenolic acid as defense systems to reduce damage. However, the total sugar level and organic acids are decreased. This research aimed to study the fruit development and capsaicin content of hot pepper grown on various coastal soil sand to know whether or not different growth medium affects the size of each part of the fruit. The design of this research was a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD). In this research, five different salinity mediums were used, they were A. 15.20 dS/m, B. 5.70 dS/m, C.1.10 dS/m, and D. 2.85 dS/m obtained from Pandansimo and E. 3.25 dS/m obtained from Sleman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as comparation. Seedlings were transferred to the polybag after having four truly expanded leaves. Fruit development was observed every week, starting from the first day after flowering (DAF) to 35 DAF. Pericarpium and placenta thickness, fruit diameter, number, length, and width of the giant cell were recorded appropriately from the slides prepared using the paraffin method. Capsaicin content was determined at 14 and 35 DAF, performed with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results show structural changes in the exocarpium; on the first day after flowering, there was only one layer of epidermis cells, but at 7 DAF, there was one layer of epidermis cells and one layer of collenchyma cells. Next, at 14 DAF, one layer of epidermis cells and two layers of collenchyma cells are observed. The structure of the mesocarpium, endocarpium, and placenta were not changed. The capsaicin content of the green fruit (14 DAF) was lower than the mature one (35 DAF) in all survival mediums. The highest capsaicin content at 14 and 35 DAF was obtained from a plant grown at medium C. Different growing mediums affected pericarpium and placenta thickness, number, length, and width of the giant cell fruit diameter.

Abstract. Al-Karami MA, Al-Rufaie MM. 2022. Colorimetric estimation of vancomycin using modified silver nanoparticles and implementing it on various types of pharmaceutical perpetrations. Nusantara Bioscience 14: 70-77. The current research proposes a simple, quick, and sensitive method for determining the pure state of vancomycin (Van) and several of its medicinal formulations. The antibiotic (Van) is an effective reduction agent for diluting the ore mineral salt from silver nitrate (Ag+) to silver nanoparticles. Polyvinylpyrrolidone was used as a stabilizer in a medium using sodium hydroxide as a base. The highest absorption of the vancomycin oxidation-reduction product occurs at 440 nm. The calibration curve is measured, and the following data is generated, indicating that the Beer-Lambert Law is followed within the concentration range of 2.5-70 parts per million. Sandal's molar absorptivity was 2.0043 x 104 L/mol.cm, and its sensitivity was 0.0723 g/cm2. The correlation coefficient was 0.9987, and the standard deviation rate was 0.402%. The biological influence of several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria was researched, and the efficacy of the samples prepared on these bacteria has shown to be promising.

Abstract. Megersa M, Woldetsadik S. 2022. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local communities of Damot Woyde District, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Nusantara Bioscience 14: 10-24. Humans have used traditional medicines mainly of plant origins to treat diseases. Early humans faced a tremendous challenge when searching for natural products used as medicines. This study reports on an ethnobotanical study that focused on the traditional medicinal plants used by local communities to treat human and livestock diseases. An ethnobotanical study on medicinal plants was conducted from February 2020 to October 2020. This involved semi-structured interviews, field observations, market surveys and group discussions with informants to document information on the use and management of medicinal plants by the people of Damot Woyde District. Fifty-seven medicinal plant species belonging to 31 families were collected, which are used by the study area inhabitants to treat various diseases in humans and livestock. The leading family was Asteraceae which was represented by 7 species (12.3%), followed by Rutaceae (6 species, 10.5%) and Solanaceae (5 species, 9%). Of the 57 medicinal plants collected, 36 (63.2%) were used to treat human ailments only, while 6 (10.5%) plant species were used to treat livestock ailments only and 15 (26.31%) were used to treat both human and livestock ailments. Herbs constituted the largest number of 22 species (38.6%), followed by shrubs 18 species (31.6%), trees 15 species (26.3%) and climbers 2 species (3.51%). Leaves (31.3%) were the most commonly used plant parts of preparing traditional remedies in the study area. Oral administration was the predominant mode of administration accounting for 71%. Preference ranking analysis revealed that Allium sativum L. was the most preferred plant species for treating the common cold. When the direct matrix ranking was analyzed, Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex. Del. was the most commonly used medicinal plant for various purposes. Our finding revealed that plant species' use plays a vital role in treating human and animal diseases in Damot Woyde District. Phytochemical and pharmacological tests are recommended mainly on frequently used medicinal plants.

Abstract. Ghosh A, Majumder S, Saha S, Sarkar S, Bhattacharya M. 2021. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry profiling, and evaluation of antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Albizia spp. Nusantara Bioscience 13: 177-184. Plant resources have been utilized for human welfare since ancient times. Most of the pharmaceutical industry relies on bioactive molecules from plant resources. This research was carried out to investigate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Albizia spp. DPPH assay was conducted to investigate the antioxidant activity and well diffusion test by pour plate method was followed for antibacterial assay. Antioxidant activity confirmed that the leaf extracts with chemical contents having solubility in polar solvents showed high free radical scavenging activity. The free radical scavenging activities of bark extracts were lower than the leaf extracts. Leaf extracts of Albizia procera showed the highest scavenging activity (94.77% or 100.66 µg AE/ ml); followed by Albizia odoratissima (93.52% or 99.23µg AE/ ml); Albizia lebbeck (91.68% or 97.13 µg AE/ ml) and Albizia chinensis (89.91% or 95.11 µg AE/ ml). GC-MS analysis of leaf and bark extracts revealed that 15 compounds had been reported to have antioxidant activities such as beta-amyrin, phytol, squalene, vitamin E and 31 compounds had been reported to have antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activity. The antibacterial activities of leaf and bark extracts of four Albizia species showed that leaf extracts of Albizia spp. showed better antibacterial activity compared to bark samples which were compatible with the results found from GC-MS analysis.

Abstract. Purnami S, Wibisari IP, Suvifan VA, Nurhayati S, Ramadhani D. 2021. Effects of carbon dioxide purities on mitotic index in lymphocyte culture and metaphase chromosome quality. Nusantara Bioscience 13: 171-176. The metaphase chromosome spread quality is necessary for a faster individual dose prediction following radiological accidents using dicentric chromosome assay. It is well known that the low-quality metaphase chromosome spreads can lead to false positives of dicentric chromosome identification. Thus, evaluation of the main variable that influences the preparation of high-quality metaphase chromosome spreads is important to perform. Until now, no studies have assessed the effects of CO2 purities on metaphase chromosome spread quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) purities on lymphocyte proliferation, and the quality of metaphase chromosome spreads to improve the chromosome aberration assay for cytogenetic biodosimetry purposes. Whole blood samples from three different subjects were cultured and incubated for 48 hours with two different grades of CO2 (high purity and food grades) and without CO2. The mitotic index (MI) from each subject was assessed, and the quality of metaphase chromosome spreads was evaluated by comparing the lengths of chromosomes 1, 2, and 21. Statistical analysis revealed that the difference between manual and automatic MI under three different conditions of CO2 purity was not statistically significant (p = 0.162; p = 0.901). Comparative analysis of the lengths of chromosomes 1, 2, and 21 from 145 metaphases also showed a difference that was not statistically significant (p = 0.745; p = 0.915; p = 0.399). Overall, our findings suggest that CO2 purities do not impair lymphocyte proliferation or metaphase quality. Further investigation should include other technical improvements such as drop-slide optimization.

Abstract. Johari A, Hermanto MA, Wulandari T. 2021. Ant diversity inhabited oil palm plantations in a peatland in Sumatra, Indonesia. Nusantara Bioscience 13: 158-163. Ant community is one of the soil biotic components with diverse roles, including pollinators, predators, decomposers, parasites, and herbivores. Changes in land use from natural habitats to plantations affect the diversity and composition of ants because these groups are very vulnerable to environmental changes. The purpose of the study was to analyze the diversity of ants (Formicidae) found in peatland planted with oil palm. The study was conducted on peatland in Gambut Jaya village, Sungai Gelam sub-district, Muaro Jambi district, Indonesia from October 2019 to May 2020. The research was conducted through surveys in two peatland locations (natural peatland and oil palm plantation) using the purposive sampling technique through the stages of transect making, field sampling, sample preparation, and identification. A total of 2636 individuals of ants were collected from natural peatland, while 3183 individuals were found in oil palm plantations. Eight ant species were identified from both study sites belong to four subfamilies, namely Dolichoderinae, Formicinae, Myrmicinae, and Ponerinae. Among the species, Dolichoderus thoracicus were most dominant, composed 63.6% in natural peat-land and 73.6% in oil palm plantation. The diversity index of ant species in natural peatland was higher (0.97) than that in oil palm plantations (0.88), indicate the change in the abundance and diversity of ant species in oil palm plantations. Therefore, efforts to preserve the habitat of ants by maintaining their microhabitat and resource, as well as conserving the important species such as natural enemies of pests, need to be taken into account in peatland management.

Abstract. Siregar LAM, Angkat NU, Damanik RI. 2021. Characterization and evaluation of the variability of dragon fruit accessions in Dairi District, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Nusantara Bioscience 13: 138-145. Many types of dragon fruits were planted in Dairi District of North Sumatra Province without much information of their importance in economic values. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the variability of the dragon fruit population in this region to assist the local farmers in selecting the best species for planting. This study used a morphological observation method based on dragon fruit descriptor employing a purposive sampling technique. A total of 56 dragon fruit accessions collected from Sidikalang, Sitinjo, and Siempat Nempuhulu Sub-districts were studied and characterized based on the morphological characteristics of stems, flowers, and fruit. The results showed some variations in the stem, flower, and fruit morphology among the studied population. The dragon fruit plant that is widely cultivated by farmers in three sub-districts of Dairi District is a species of Hylocereus polyrhizus. Phenotypic diversity analysis showed seven quantitative characters with broad criteria of eighteen characters observed, namely stem length, pericarpel length, number of lobes, flower shoot length, number of bractea, bractea peak length, and fruit weight. However, phenotypic diversity analysis indicates they are closely related to each other except for accession D17 the red dragon fruit or red pitaya (Hylocereus spp.), and it could be the exotic species for nation-wide planting in Indonesia.