Two Main Biosynthesis Pathways Involved in the Synthesis of the Floral Aroma of the Nacional Cocoa Variety

Theobroma cacao is the only source that allows the production of chocolate. It is of major economic importance for producing countries such as Ecuador, which is the third-largest cocoa producer in the world. Cocoa is classified into two groups: bulk cocoa and aromatic fine flavour cocoa. In contrast to bulk cocoa, fine flavour cocoa is characterised by fruity and floral notes. One of the characteristics of Nacional cocoa, the emblematic cocoa of Ecuador, is its aromatic ARRIBA flavour. This aroma is mainly composed of floral notes whose genetic and biochemical origin is not well-known. This research objective is to study the genetic and biochemical determinism of the floral aroma of modern Nacional cocoa variety from Ecuador. Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) was conducted on a population of 152 genotypes of cocoa trees belonging to the population variety of modern Nacional. Genome-Wide Association Study was conducted by combining SSR and SNP genotyping, assaying biochemical compounds (in roasted and unroasted beans), and sensory evaluations from various tastings. This analysis highlighted different areas of association for all types of traits. In a second step, a search for candidate genes in these association zones was undertaken, which made it possible to find genes potentially involved in the biosynthesis pathway of the biochemical compound identified in associations. Our results show that two biosynthesis pathways seem to be mainly related to the floral note of Nacional cocoa: the monoterpene biosynthesis pathway and the L-phenylalanine degradation pathway. As already suggested, the genetic background would therefore appear as largely explaining the floral note of cocoa.

Varietas Cabai Hias AYESHA IPB

Cabai (Capsicum annuum L.) have various in fruit shapes, fruit colors, fruit types, hot tasty and biochemical compound useful for fresh fruit, spicy and ornamental plant. Ornamental chili ideotype that are dwarf, high fruit set and various fruit colors. The aim this study to improve description characters in Ayesha IPB variety, both qualitative and quantitative characters. The testers are 4 released varieties and 5 the other genotypes in randomized complete block design for 4 replication in green house at Leuwikopo field reserch in Darmaga, Bogor. Ayesha IPB variety showed early flower in 13-16 days after planting, harvesting for commercial bucket in 65-70 days after planting, medium plant high that is 25.218 cm, medium canopy width that is 46-53 cm, good performance in canopy, round shape on fuit tip, various fuit colors that are yellow green for young fruit, orange for intermediate fuit and orange red for mature of fruit. Those description characters could be ornamental chili for Ayesha, so it is important to protect the plant for ornamental plant commercialization.Key word : fruit, color, red, round, orange, ornamental

Phytochemical Screening and TLC Profiling of Various Extracts of Reinwardtia indica

Reinwardtia indica, belongs to family Linaceae known as yellow flax or pyoli commonly found in the Himalaya. The plant has varied ethno medicinal importance such as aerial parts are used to prevent bleeding of cuts and as mouthwash; leaves are used in the treatment of paralysis and as natural antibiotic. Qualitative phytochemical screening of chloroform, acetone, ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts was performed to explore scientific basis of ethno medicinal potential. It confirmed the presence of many phytochemicals like alkaloids, flavanoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, phlobatanins etc. in various extracts. Most of the phytochemicals were found in methanol and ethanol extracts. Thin Layer chromatography (TLC) of the acetone, methanol, chloroform and aqueous extract was performed for four important phytochemicals alkaloids, flavanoids, tannins and phenol. Flavanoids showed their presence in all extracts with one spot in each (Rf 0.8 for acetone, 0.918 for methanol, 0.816 for chloroform and 0.737 for aqueous extract). Alkaloids and tannins were found in acetone and methanol extract while phenol was present only in methanol extract (Rf 0.8). These findings provided the evidence that Reinwardtia indica is a potent source for some medicinally important phytochemicals and it justifies its use as a medicinal plant. This can be further investigated for the isolation and identification of active biochemical compound of medicinal utilities

The Effectiveness of Local Plants from Lom and Sawang Ethnics as Antimalarial Medicine

<p>Native people or ethnic societies that live in endemic malaria islands such as in Bangka Island and Belitung Island have used many medicinal plants to cure malaria. Leaves of <em>kesembung</em> (<em>Scaevola taccada</em> (Gaertn Roxb), roots of <em>kebentak</em> (<em>Wikstroemia androsaemofolia</em> Decne), and roots of medang <em>mencena</em> (<em>Dapniphyllum laurinum </em>(Benth) are the examples. This research was aimed to investigate the present of some biochemical compound and evaluate the antimalarial activity of ethanol extract of the plants against <em>Plasmodium falciparum</em> 3D7 in vitro. The IC50 level was determined through visual observation under microscope over 5000 of giemsa-stained erythrocytes then analyzed by probit analysis. Results showed that kebentak root ethanol extract was effective to inhibit P. falciparum 3D7 with level 0.485 µg/mL. Furthermore, the IC50 level of <em>kesembung</em> leaves and <em>medang</em> root were 44.352 µg/mL and 1486.678 µg/mL respectively. Phytochemical test result showed that <em>kebentak</em> leaf ethanol crude extract contained triterpenoid, <em>kesembung</em> root contained phenol and tannins; moreover, <em>medang</em> root contained alkaloid, saponin, and triterpenoid.</p><p><strong>How to Cite</strong></p><p>Helmi, H., Afriyansyah, B. &amp; Ekasari, W. (2016). The Effectiveness of Local Plants from Lom and Sawang Ethnics as Antimalarial Medicine. <em>Biosaintifika: Journal of Biology &amp; Biology Education</em>, 8(2), 193-200.</p><p> </p>