Health Status Comparison of Blood Cockle (Tegillarca granosa) between Low and High Yield Farms in Selangor and Johor

This study aims to provide insight knowledge on the potential reason for low blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa) production in Sungai Buloh Selangor by comparing the condition indices and histology of the gills and gonad with samples from a high yield farm at Sungai Ayam, Johor. Samples were collected in September 2020 and grouped for histological analysis and for condition indices. About 60% individuals from Sungai Buloh and 20% of samples from Sungai Ayam found with degenerated gill filaments. The sex ratio were found identical (50%:50% male to a female) in samples from Sungai Ayam, while 40%: 60% of male to female from Sungai Buloh. The gonad of males found at Stage 2 (developing) and Stage 3 (developed or ripe) and the ovaries at Stage 3 and Stage 4 (spawning) for Sungai Buloh, and between Stage 2 to Stage 4 from Sungai Ayam. The total condition index (CI Tot) was significantly differences between farms. Findings indicate sample from Sungai Buloh has low health status due to poor gill’s filaments condition, and ripe ovaries found in lightweight (2 g) T. granosa. Hence being the potential reason for low survival rate in the Sungai Buloh.

The effectiveness of soaking duration on blood cockles (Anadara granosa) with activated charcoal towards reducing metals lead (Pb)

Blood cockle (Anadara granosa) is one of the marine biotas that can be used as a bioindicator of the pollution level of sea water. The nature of blood cockle stays in one place because of their slow movement and they are non-selective filter feeders which filter water in order to get food. The use of activated charcoal during soaking is to keep the food safety from blood cockle contaminated with heavy metals. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectivity test of soaking duration on blood cockle (Anadara granosa) and activated charcoal toward reducing metals lead (Pb). This study employed Randomized Complete Design (RCD) using three different soaking periods such as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes. The samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission (ICPE). The parametric data was analyzed with One Way Anova test. The result of the study showed that the soaking duration among 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes in activated charcoal showed significantly different (P< 0.05) toward the levels of lead.

Synthesis and Characterization of Gefitinib and Paclitaxel Mono and Dual Drug-Loaded Blood Cockle Shells (Anadara granosa)-Derived Aragonite CaCO3 Nanoparticles

Calcium carbonate has slowly paved its way into the field of nanomaterial research due to its inherent properties: biocompatibility, pH-sensitivity, and slow biodegradability. In our efforts to synthesize calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CSCaCO3NP) from blood cockle shells (Anadara granosa), we developed a simple method to synthesize CSCaCO3NP, and loaded them with gefitinib (GEF) and paclitaxel (PTXL) to produce mono drug-loaded GEF-CSCaCO3NP, PTXL-CSCaCO3NP, and dual drug-loaded GEF-PTXL-CSCaCO3NP without usage of toxic chemicals. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results reveal that the drugs are bound to CSCaCO3NP. Scanning electron microscopy studies reveal that the CSCaCO3NP, GEF-CSCaCO3NP, PTXL-CSCaCO3NP, and GEF-PTXL-CSCaCO3NP are almost spherical nanoparticles, with a diameter of 63.9 ± 22.3, 83.9 ± 28.2, 78.2 ± 26.4, and 87.2 ± 26.7 (nm), respectively. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and N2 adsorption-desorption experiments revealed that the synthesized nanoparticles are negatively charged and mesoporous, with surface areas ranging from ⁓8 to 10 (m2/g). Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) confirms that the synthesized nanoparticles are aragonite. The CSCaCO3NP show excellent alkalinization property in plasma simulating conditions and greater solubility in a moderately acidic pH medium. The release of drugs from the nanoparticles showed zero order kinetics with a slow and sustained release. Therefore, the physico-chemical characteristics and in vitro findings suggest that the drug loaded CSCaCO3NP represent a promising drug delivery system to deliver GEF and PTXL against breast cancer.

Assessment of Zinc, Iron, and Microbes concentrations in Blood Cockles (Anadara granosa) as Complementary Foods and Implications for reducing of Micronutrition Deficiency

Blood cockles (Anadara granosa) are filter feeder that can accumulate heavy metals and microbes so that need to pay attention to the maximum intake. The objective of this study was to evaluate the content of Fe, Zn, a total of microbes and maximum tolerable intake value (MTI). The study employed quantitative analysis. The samples were collected from Wonggarasi Timur Village, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo, Indonesia. The determination of Fe and Zn was carried out through Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and the microbes total was done by using the Total Plate Count test. Maximum Tolerable Intake value was calculated according to the provisions of JEFCA. The results of the study showed that the Fe and Zn average of blood cockles ranged from 227.85±5.04 ppm – 247.98±6.77ppm and 2.77±0.07ppm-2.82±0.09ppm. Microbes total ranged from 1.7 x 103 colonies/g – 2.4 x 103 colonies/g. The MTI value assumed for person weighing 70 kg based on Fe and Zn content of blood cockle is 0.226kg/day - 0.467kg/day and 24.822kg/day - 24.911kg/day. Blood cockles are a source of Fe, Zn and are safe for consumption according to MTI. Consumption of blood cockles helps reduce the problem of deficiency of Fe and Zn. The content of Fe is higher than the content of Zn in blood cockles. Blood cockles from Pohuwato regency are safe for consumption according to MTI. The microbes total in blood cockles ranged from 1.7x103 colonies/g -2, 4x 103 colonies/g. This total is below the Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan/ Indonesian National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) standard, which is 5 x 105 CFU/g so that the blood cockles are safe for consumption.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR CULTIVATION OF BLOOD COCKLE (ANADARA GRANOSA) TO INCREASE COASTAL COMMUNITY INCOME IN RIAU PROVINCE

A survey research on the blood cocle (Anadara granosa) business was conducted in Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau Province, Indonesia in June-July 2020. The research objective was to formulate a strategy to develop the blood cockle business, in order to increase the income of fishermen’s families. Interviews were conducted with 10 respondents of blood cocle cultivators, local government, fisheries office, traders and blood cockle exporters. Data were analyzed using the SWOT analysis method (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Thereats). The results showed that the land used for the cultivation of blood cockle in Rokan Hilir was only 10% of the 12,434 hectare. The number of blood cockle cultivators in this area is only 250 people, the export volume of blood cockle is 450 tons per month (IDR 5.5 billion). The future strategy for developing a blood cockle business is: (1) increasing the productivity of blood cocle by increasing business capital, expanding cultivation land, and receiving government assistance; (2) improve the quality of blood cockles, both in terms of size and freshness when marketed; and (3) self-seeding blood cockle.