Binding Properties of Odorant-Binding Protein 4 of Tirathaba rufivena to Areca catechu Volatiles

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) play a key role in the olfactory system and are essential for mating and oviposition host selection. Tirathaba rufivena, a serious lepidopterous insect pest of the palm area in recent years, has threatened cultivations of Areca catechu in Hainan. Female-biased odorant-binding protein 4 of T. rufivena (TrufOBP4) expression was hypothesized to participate in the process of oviposition host recognition and localization. In this study, we cloned and analyzed the cDNA sequence of TrufOBP4. The predicted mature protein TrufOBP4 is a small, soluble, secretory protein and belongs to a classic OBP subfamily. Fluorescence binding assay results showed that TrufOBP4 had high binding abilities with the host plant volatiles, octyl methoxycinnamate, dibutyl phthalate, myristic acid and palmitic acid. These four components tend to dock in the same binding pocket based on the molecular docking result. The interactions and contributions of key amino acid residues were also characterized. This research provides evidence that TrufOBP4 might participate in the chemoreception of volatile compounds from inflorescences of A. catechu and can contribute to the integrated management of T. rufivena.

Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Its Fungal Symbiont Ambrosiella roeperi Associated with Arecanut Kernel Decay in Karnataka, India

Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) is reported causing damage to areca palm plantations (Areca catechu L.—Arecaceae) in Karnataka (India). In particular, X. crassiusculus has been observed attacking and successfully reproducing on areca nuts; besides the new host plant record, the data provided here represent the first documented case of spermatophagy for this xyleborine beetle. All infestation symptoms of this polyphagous pest were documented and illustrated. The identity of the scolytid, besides morphologically, was confirmed by its DNA barcoding. Eggs, larvae and pupae were found within the galleries of infested kernels. All galleries of the infested kernels were characterized by the presence of whitish to greyish fungal growth. The fungus was identified as Ambrosiella roeperi, a known symbiont of Xylosandrus crassiusculus. Incidence of this symbiotic insect-fungus complex in the economic part of arecanut, i.e., the kernel, is of serious concern. In a climate change scenario, this beetle with fungal symbionts may pose a serious threat to arecanut production in India and elsewhere.

Potensi Vermisidal Infusa Biji Buah Merah (Pandanus conoideus), Rumput Kebar (Biophytum petersianum) dan Kulit Buah Pinang (Areca catechu) terhadap Ascaridia galli secara In Vitro

This study aimed to determine the vermicidal potency of the infusion of Buah Merah seeds, Rumput Kebar and betel nut peels against Ascaridia galli in chickens and body length of male and female A. galli. Dry test materials (5%, 10% and 15% for each concentration) were immersed in 100 ml of distilled water and incubated at 90 °C for 15 minutes. The solution was filtered using filter paper, and the filtrate was used in the treatment. Three active worms that obtained directly from chicken intestines were placed in 15 cm Petri dishes containing 25 ml of each treatment and control solution. Five replications were performed for each treatment. Observations were made 8 hours after treatment for paralysis and worm death. Measurements of the body length were made from the anterior end to the posterior end of the worm using a ruler. Observational data were processed using Anova, the significant difference was continued by the Tukey HSD test (P<0.05) with SPSS 16.0. Conclusion: all the materials used in this study have potential as anthelmintics against A. galli and the highest dose of rumput Kebar infusion is the best vermicidal. The body length of female A. galli is longer than of the male. Keywords: Betel nut peels; Buah merah seeds; Infusion; Rumput kebar; Vermicidal Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui potensi vermisidal infusa biji Buah Merah, Rumput Kebar dan kulit buah Pinang terhadap Ascaridia galli pada ayam dan ukuran panjang tubuh A. galli jantan dan betina. Bahan uji kering (5%, 10% dan 15% untuk masing-masing konsentrasi) direndam dalam 100 ml aquadestillata dan diinkubasi pada suhu 90 °C selama 15 menit. Larutan disaring menggunakan kertas saring, dan filtratnya digunakan dalam perlakuan. Tiga cacing yang aktif bergerak yang diperoleh langsung dari usus ayam, ditempatkan dalam cawan Petri berukuran 15 cm yang berisi 25 ml masing-masing larutan perlakuan dan kontrol. Dilakukan lima ulangan untuk setiap perlakuan. Pengamatan dilakukan 8 jam setelah perlakuan terhadap paralisis dan kematian cacing. Pengukuran dilakukan dari ujung anterior ke ujung posterior cacing menggunakan penggaris. Data hasil pengamatan diolah menggunakan Anova, perbedaan nyata dilanjutkan dengan uji Tukey HSD (P<0,05) dengan SPSS 16.0. Kesimpulan: seluruh bahan yang digunakan pada penelitian ini memiliki potensi sebagai anthelmintik terhadap A. galli dan dosis tertinggi infusa rumput Kebar merupakan vermisidal yang paling baik. Panjang tubuh A. galli betina lebih panjang dari pada jantan. Kata kunci: Biji buah merah; Infusa; Kulit buah pinang; Rumput kebar; Vermisidal

The Killing Power of Areca Seed Extract (Areca catechu L.) in the Control of Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)

Cockroaches are one of the insects that can spread diseases such as dysentery, diarrhea, cholera, viral hepatitis. Therefore an insecticide that is safe for the environment is needed, one of which is areca seed (Areca caechu L.) which contains Polyphenols, Flavonoids, Tanins, and Alkaloids that are safe for the surrounding environment and do not leave high residues. The purpose of this study was to analyze the strength test to kill areca seed extract (Areca catechu L.) against cockroach populations. The research design used in this research is quasi experimental (Quasi Experimental), the sample in this study used 360 adult cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) measuring 3 cm. This study used the Mann-Whitney U test analysis to analyze the differences in the ability of areca seed extract (Areca catechu L.) in killing cockroach populations. The results showed that at a concentration of 100% it was more effective to kill cockroaches Periplaneta americana type because it can kill 91% of American perennial cockroaches within 24 hours. The conclusion of this study is that there are differences in concentration of areca catechu L. extract with variations of 80%, 90%, 100% where p = 0.000.

High Surface Area Nanoporous Activated Carbons Materials from Areca catechu Nut with Excellent Iodine and Methylene Blue Adsorption

Nanoporous carbon materials from biomass exhibit a high surface area due to well-defined pore structures. Therefore, they have been extensively used in separation and purification technologies as efficient adsorbents. Here, we report the iodine and methylene blue adsorption properties of the hierarchically porous carbon materials prepared from Areca catechu nut. The preparation method involves the phosphoric acid (H3PO4) activation of the Areca catechu nut powder. The effects of carbonization conditions (mixing ratio with H3PO4, carbonization time, and carbonization temperature) on the textural properties and surface functional groups were studied. The optimum textural properties were obtained at a mixing ratio of 1:1, carbonized for 3 h at 400 °C, and the sample achieved a high specific surface area of 2132.1 m2 g−1 and a large pore volume of 3.426 cm3 g−1, respectively. The prepared materials have amorphous carbon structures and contain oxygenated surface functional groups. Due to the well-defined micro-and mesopore structures with the high surface area and large pore volume, the optimal sample showed excellent iodine and methylene blue adsorption. The iodine number and methylene blue values were ca. 888 mg g−1 and 369 mg g−1, respectively. The batch adsorption studies of methylene dye were affected by pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and initial concentration. The optimum parameters for the methylene blue adsorption were in alkaline pH, adsorbent dose of 2.8 g L−1, and contact time of 180 min. Equilibrium data could be best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model with a monolayer adsorption capacity of 333.3 mg g−1. Thus, our results demonstrate that the Areca catechu nut has considerable potential as the novel precursor material for the scalable production of high surface area hierarchically porous carbon materials that are essential in removing organic dyes from water.