Report of Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) (Stylommatophora: Achatinidae) in rubber plantations of Western Ghats, Kerala

The giant African snail Lissachatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) is reported as a pest in rubber plantations adjoining forest fringes in the Western Ghats region of Kerala. The snail was causing damage to rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) trees, by feeding on rubber latex and nutmeg twigs and leaves. L. fulica infestation on M. fragrans is a new record. The snail infestation in rubber plantations is the first report from the Western Ghats region in Kerala.

Skrining Fitokimia dan Pengaruh Cara Pengeringan Terhadap Kualitas Ekstrak Etanol Daging Buah Pala (Myristica fragrans Houtt)

Telah dilakukan penelitian mengenai pengaruh cara pengeringan terhadap kualitas ekstrak etanol daging buah pala (Myristica fragrans Houtt). Cara-cara pengeringan yang dilakukan adalah pengeringan oven 40oC dan pengeringan langsung di bawah sinar matahari. Hasil uji fitokimia ekstrak daging buah tanaman pala diperoleh bahwa ekstrak daging buah pala mengandung senyawa alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin dan tannin. Analisis kualitas ekstrak etanol daging buah pala (Myristica fragrans Houtt) terdiri dari uji organoleptis, uji kadar air dan uji kadar abu. Dari hasil penelitian diperolah bahwa ekstrak etanol daging buah pala (Myristica fragrans Houtt) dari masing-masing proses pengeringan memiliki ekstrak kental, berwarna cokelat pekat dan bau khas pala. Kadar air daging buah pala dengan metode pengeringan oven sebesar 22,22 % sedangkan dengan metode pengeringan di bawah sinar matahari memiliki kadar air sebesar 3,3 %. Kadar abu daging buah pala dengan metode pengeringan oven sebesar 5,47 % sedangkan dengan metode pengeringan di bawah sinar matahari memiliki kadar abu sebesar 1,77 %.Kata kunci : Myristica fragrans Houtt; pengeringan; kadar air; kadar abu

Antifungal, Antibacterial, and Cytotoxic Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized from Aqueous Extracts of Mace-Arils of Myristica fragrans

In the present study, mace-mediated silver nanoparticles (mace-AgNPs) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated against an array of pathogenic microorganisms. Mace, the arils of Myristica fragrans, are a rich source of several bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and aromatic compounds. During nano synthesis, the bioactive compounds in mace aqueous extracts serve as excellent bio reductants, stabilizers, and capping agents. The UV-VIS spectroscopy of the synthesized NPs showed an intense and broad SPR absorption peak at 456 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed the size with a Z average of 50 nm, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies depicted the round shape and small size of the NPs, which ranged between 5–28 nm. The peaks related to important functional groups, such as phenols, alcohols, carbonyl groups, amides, alkanes and alkenes, were obtained on a Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum. The peak at 3 keV on the energy dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDX) validated the presence of silver (Ag). Mace-silver nanoparticles exhibited potent antifungal and antibacterial activity against several pathogenic microorganisms. Additionally, the synthesized mace-AgNPs displayed an excellent cytotoxic effect against the human cervical cancer cell line. The mace-AgNPs demonstrated robust antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activity, indicating that the mace-AgNPs might be used in the agrochemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, and biomedical applications. However, future studies to understand its mode of action are needed.

Evaluation of Antioxidant and Protease-inhibitory Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg)

Introduction: Myristica fragrans is an important commercial plant used for spices. The plant has been traditionally used as an anticancer, anti inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative hypnotics and antimicrobial agent. Plants have played an important role in maintaining human health & improving the quality of human life for thousands of years and have served humans well as valuable components of medicines. Methods: Ethanolic extract of myristica fragrans was obtained by hot percolation method. Preliminary Phytochemical screening of the extract was done .Antioxidant and anti inflammatory potential of ethanolic extract of myristica fragrans was analysed. The data were analysed statistically using two – way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s multiple range test to assess the significance of individual variations between the groups. In Tukey’s test, significance was considered at the level of p<0.05. Results: Ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans (Nutmeg) was rich in the phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and saponins. IC50 of antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans was found to be 300 µg/ml. IC50 of anti-inflammatory potential of the ethanolic extract of Myristica fragrans was found to be 360 µg/ml. Conclusion: From the study, it was evident that the ethanolic extract of myristica fragrans has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. In future, the extract can be validated as a drug formulation.

Correlation Analysis of Antioxidant Activities with Tannin, Total Flavonoid, and Total Phenolic Contents of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) Fruit Precipitated by Egg white

The nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) flesh extract has a strong antioxidant activity. Therefore, M. fragrans flesh can be developed for functional drinks which are sources rich in antioxidants good for the prevention and treatment of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. However, the tannins' content can cause a bitter and sour taste. Therefore, the tannins content should be reduced by the addition of egg white. The purpose of this study is to find out the comparison of antioxidant activity between a combination of M. fragrans flesh extract with various concentrations of egg white and to correlate its antioxidant activities with tannin, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents. The antioxidant activities were conducted on M. fragrans flesh extract by using DPPH and ABTS radicals. Tannin, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents from M. fragrans flesh extract were also tested. The M. fragrans flesh extracts without addition egg white have a strong antioxidant in scavenging the stable free radical ABTS (89.980±0.480 µg/mL) and intermediate antioxidant in scavenging the stable free radical DPPH (105.669±0.102 µg/mL). It is followed accordingly by tannin, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents, namely 14.034±0.100 %w/w TAE, 26.929±0.129 %w/w QE, and 53.164±0.129 %w/w GAE, respectively. Correlation of tannin, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents, which inhibited DPPH and ABTS radicals had R2 values of about 89.23-97.63%. It showed that antioxidant activity is strongly influenced by the tannin, total flavonoid, and total phenolic contents. Therefore, precipitation from the tannin-protein bond caused antioxidant activities were decreased.

Effects of alcoholic extract of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) on pregnancy outcome in female Wistar rats

Myristica fragrans has been reported to be a medicinal plant as it possesses hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antiulcer, anticancer and immunostimulatory properties, as well as antifertility potentials. This study therefore aimed to investigate the effects of alcoholic extract of M. fragrans on dam size, litter size, pup weight, ovarian follicles, endometrial glands and histopathological indices on pregnancy outcomes in female Wistar rats using standard methods. Pregnancy was induced in forty-eight (48) female Wistar rats that were randomly selected and assigned into four (4) groups of twelve (12) rats each: Group 1 (pregestational phase of pregnancy), Group 2 (germinal phase of pregnancy), Group 3 (embryonic phase of pregnancy) and Group 4 (Fetal phase of pregnancy). The treated animals all received 1500 mg of alcoholic extract of M. fragrans. Administration of distilled water and the extract was by orogastric tube. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using the IBM SPSS statistics software (Statistical Package for Social Science) (Version 25) and relevant statistical values were obtained. The extract prevented the proliferation of ovarian follicles and endometrial glands. In addition, during the pregestational, germinal and embryonic phases, there were significant increases in weight of pups when the treated animals were compared to the control group. The dams also showed decreases in body weight during the embryonic phase. This study therefore demonstrated that alcohol extract of Myristica fragrans may serve as a contraceptive agent in view of its anti-fertility effect.

Kelayakan Usahatani dan Strategi Pengembangan Pala Banda di Pulau Damer

Pala (Myristica fragrans Houtt) dikenal sebagai tanaman rempah yang memiliki nilai ekonomis tinggi dan merupakan tanaman serbaguna karena setiap bagiannya dapat dimanfaatkan. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui pendapatan, kelayakan usahatani dan strategi pengembangan pala di Pulau Damer. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada bulan Maret-Mei 2021 di Pulau Damer (Desa Kehli dan Desa Wulur, Kecamatan Damer). Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui wawancara, observasi dan studi kepustakaan. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan secara sengaja (purposive sampling) berdasarkan ketentuan besarnya populasi petani yang membudidayakan tanaman pala banda. Berdasarkan rumus Slovin untuk populasi dan tingkat kesalahan 15% maka diperoleh sampel sebanyak 40 petani di Desa Wulur dan 32 petani di Desa Kehli. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa usahatani pala banda di Pulau Damer menguntungkan sehingga layak untuk dikembangkan. Hasil analisis SWOT dan QSPM menunjukkan bahwa strategi yang diprioritaskan dalam upaya pengembangan pala Banda adalah peningkatan kualitas sumber daya manusia petani pala dan petugas PPL. Strategi prioritas ini penting dilakukan dengan program pengendalian hama dan penyakit tanaman melalui identifikasi, pengawasan dan pengendalian hama dan penyakit tanaman, pelatihan pengendalian hama dan penyakit tanaman bagi petani dan petugas PPL.