Rheotaxis Response Based on Sexual Dimorphism in the Green Swordtail Fish, Xiphophorus hellerii

Morphological distinctions between males and females of a species are referred to by sexual dimorphism. It may result from various selection pressures affecting either sex or both and may occur in any dioecious species, including Green Swordtail fish, which are sexually reproductive. This study examined the different rheotaxis responses of Xiphophorus hellerii based on different sexes and morphological features. We analyzed ten adult males, ten gravid females, and ten non-gravid females of Xiphophorus helleri collected down the river and transferred into the column. We counted the number of the individual that performed positive rheotaxis (+), negative rheotaxis (-), and indifference response (0). The result showed different rheotaxis responses shown by male, non-gravid female, and gravid female X. hellerii. The highest percentage of positive rheotaxis response (movement against the current) was shown by non-gravid female X. hellerii, reaching up to 89%. Morphological differences between male, non-gravid female, and gravid female X. hellerii appear to affect the orientation and ability of X. hellerii in giving response against current and certainly has an impact on their survival in nature.

Diversity, Abundance, and Distribution Patterns of Natural Enemy Insects on Chili (Capsicum annum L.) in Bincau Village, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan

Chili is a widely cultivated plant by the community because of its profit. Currently, in maintaining the quality of chili, people commonly use a lot of pesticides. In contrast, naturally, there are biological agents in the shape of natural enemy insects, more effective, and environmentally friendly. This study aims to determine the diversity, abundance, and distribution patterns of natural enemy insects in chili plantation (Capsicum annum L.) at Bincau Village, Martapura District, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan. The sample is collected by pitfall trap, yellow pan trap, and sweep net method. Obtained data are analyzed by Shannon Wienner index (H'), Meyer abundance index, Morisita index (Id), and PCA method for environmental parameter analysis. The results showed the diversity of natural enemy insects on chili plants was moderate (H' = 2.396). Furthermore, the highest abundance in research is demonstrated on Hymenoptera order, which consisted of 9 families, 16 species, and 1,009 individuals. The distribution pattern of natural enemy insects in chili plantations is clustered (Id > 1). Based on the PCA analysis method, the temperature has the most impact on natural enemy insects' presence in this study.

Preliminary Detection of Antibacterial Activity of Fishpond Water Bacteria against Aquaculture Pathogenic Bacteria

Aquaculture is currently experiencing massive loss due to the outbreak of pathogenic bacteria. One of the outbreak causes is the development of pathogenic bacterial resistance to the antibacterial. The problem can be solved using microorganisms that can produce new antibacterial compounds. The purpose of this research was to obtain bacteria from fishpond water that could produce antibacterial compounds. About two out of 81 isolates could produce antibacterial compounds. Those two isolates were obtained from saltwater fishponds in North Jakarta (TS2) and Harapan Island (PHY). All fishpond water was grown in marine broth or Luria broth. Extraction of antibacterial compounds was performed using four types of solvents: chloroform, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Each of the solvents showed a different result. The extraction can only be successfully performed using chloroform and dichloromethane. Extraction using dichloromethane showed a larger inhibitory clear zone than chloroform. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, PHY isolate was identified as Bacillus sp. and TS2 as Acinetobacter sp. In conclusion, isolate TS2 and PHY, which produced antibacterial compounds, showed potential use as aquaculture probiotics.

The Ability of Soil Candida albicans Secreted Potential Protease and Lipase

Soil microorganisms have one function as a source of producing extracellular enzymes, especially the lipase and protease enzymes used to catalysis a chemical process. Protease is one of the enzymes with the best prospects for development because it is quite widely applied in various industries, both food and non-food. Most of the lipases used in the food and pharmaceutical industries come from microorganisms. This study aimed to look at the extracellular enzyme activity of Candida tropicalis isolated from the soil of the medicinal plantations of the Faculty of Pharmacy Unjani. The study was conducted through a fermentation process to obtain bioactive metabolites of isolates. The result was analyzed using ANOVA within a 5% interval of confidence, continuing with PostHoc. Based on these results, the Candida tropicalis metabolite giving the best proteolytic index value (0,6556 ± 0,0090) U/mL. The results showed that the metabolite isolate of Candida tropicalis had the highest activity, amounting to 5,776 ± 0,495 U/mL. The best results of lipolytic index value (0,394 ± 0,053) U/mL. The Candida tropicalis metabolites produced the highest lipase enzyme after nine days of fermentation in 5.2917±0,0167 U/mL.

Stomata Profile Comparisons in Abaxial and Adaxial Zones of Dendrobium aphyllum and Arachnis flos-aeris Leaves

Stomata play an essential role in transpiration and metabolism. Orchids are Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) plants which are generally succulent leaf type. Orchids have several types of stomata, depending on habitat and environmental parameters that affect them. This study aimed to compare the stomata, including the anatomical structure, activity, and density of the orchids Dendrobium aphyllum and Arachnis flos-aeris. The method used was printing the surface of the leaves using glue and observed with a microscope. Data obtained were analyzed with the help of Image raster 3.0 and MS. Excel. In the present study, the stomata of D. aphyllum and A. flos-aeris are characterized by anomocytic type. The highest stomata density was obtained on the abaxial part of D. aphyllum 09.00 am 1177.78 um2. The adaxial leaves of both species are classified as low, or no stomata are found at all. The distance between the stomata on the abaxial leaves of D. aphyllum and A. flos-aeris is denser than the leaves' adaxial side. Stomata activity in orchids is related to orchids' adaptation process to the environmental parameters of their habitat. Stomata activity affects the transpiration process and CO2 fixation in orchid CAM metabolism.

Curcumin Effectivity on Hepar and Reproductive Organ Recovery Male Mice (Mus musculus L) after Methoxychlor Exposure

Methoxychlor (MXC) is an insecticide (DDT derivates) that has the potential for bioaccumulation in mammal and causes a disruptive effect on the hepar and reproductive system. This study was done to find out the benefits of curcumin as a natural ingredient to overcome the negative impact of Methoxychlor (MXC) on hepar and male reproductive organ of Balb’C mice (Mus musculus L). The study was carried out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) Posttest Only Control Group Design used four treatments and six replications. The curcumin treatment after administration of MXC was carried out by gavage with curcumin doses: 0.05; 0,1; and 0.2 mg/g body weight, every day for two weeks, respectively. Histological observations of the liver, and testis was performed using the paraffin method and Hematoxylin Eosin stained. The results showed that MXC exposure caused liver disruption by increasing the number of pycnotic necrotic hepatocytes and hydrophic degeneration hepatocytes. On the male reproductive organ, MXC caused testis impairment by reducing the number of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, spermatogenic cell counts, and the diameter of seminiferous tubules. The administration of curcumin at doses of 0.1 mg/g bw in mice exposed to methoxychlor can reduce the number of hydrophic degeneration hepatocytes and tend to reduce the number of pycnotic hepatocytes; and also increase the number of Sertoli cells, the number of spermatogenic cells, and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and tend to reduce the amount of Leydig cells. Curcumin treatment tends to recover hepar dan testis disruption of mice that were exposed by MXC.

Effect of Rambutan Fruit Peel Extract on Total Sperm Counts of Wistar Rats With Obesity

Obesity caused by a high-fat diet leads to an altered reproductive hormonal profile, including impaired semen quality. Antioxidants can overcome these conditions. One of the well-known sources of antioxidants is in the rambutan fruit peel extract. This research aimed to figure the effect of rambutan fruit peel extract towards total sperm count in Wistar rats induced with high-fat feed. The study design used post-test only control group, subjects were 30 male Wistar rats divided into five groups: Group I (Positive Control) was given high-fat feed, Group II (Treatment Control Group) was given 15mg/kg BW rambutan fruit peel extract, whereas group III, IV, V (Treatment Group) were given an extract of rambutan skin with a dosage of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg BW, respectively. Treatment was administered for 81 days. This study showed that rambutan fruit peel extract with doses of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg BW has significantly increased total sperm count in Wistar rats induced with high-fat feed. The outcome using Kruskal Wallis shows a result of p-value 0,010 (CI 95%). Antioxidant compounds found in rambutan fruit peel extract significantly increase total sperm count in Wistar rats induced with high-fat feed, with the highest efficacy on the dose of 15mg/kg BW. Keywords: Fruit Peel Rambutan Extract; ; ;

Cytotoxicity Assay of 2,4-Dihydroxide-4’-Methoxychalcone Against Cervical (HeLa) Cancer Cell by MTT Assay

Chalcone is one of the phenolic group secondary metabolic with numerous biological activity. Many studies have shown that chalcone derivatives compound has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and antibacterial activities. The purpose of this research was to study the prediction potency unsaturated carbonyl system of chalcone derivative against the HeLa cell by MTT assay. Those activities assumed can inhibit the mechanism action of NF-kB that caused cervical cancer. The 2,4-dihydroxide-4’-methoxychalcone has done synthesis as a target compound by a sonochemical for 7 hours. The results showed that chalcone derivative most active against the HeLa cell.

Foot Print of Macro Fungi in The Coastal Forest of Bama, Baluran National Park, East Java

Baluran National Park, West Java, as one of the conservation sites in Indonesia, has the attraction of the varied types of ecosystems, including fungi. This study aimed to analyze the diversity of fungi in Bama Coastal Forest, Baluran National Park. The method was explorative with plot purposive sampling technique. Parameters in this study include abundance, dominance, and diversity of fungi enriched with physical parameters of humidity and temperature. The fungi were documented and macroscopically observed. Data were analyzed using the abundance index, dominance index, and diversity index. This research identified 18 types of macrofungi in Bama Coastal forest, Baluran National Park East Java including Ganoderma, sp, Hexagonia tenuis, Trametes hirsute, Phellinus sp.1 and sp.2, Ganoderma applanatum, Phellinus igniarius, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, Daedalea quercina, Tyromyces chioneus, Microporus xanthopus, Calvatia sp., Irpex lacteus, Trichaptum sp., Lentinus sp. Poria corticola, Tyromyces sp., and Lichemomphalia sp. One fungi species (Ganoderma sp.) has the highest abundance index (27.62). The Medium abundance index was found in three species (Hexagonia tenuis, Tyromyces chioneus, Tyromyces sp.) while the rest fungi were in low abundance index. Dominance index of all fungi species identified in Bama was in low category (D<0.5) with medium diversity (2.30). It can be concluded that the diversity of microfungi in the coastal forest of Bama, Baluran National park was a distribution medium of individual of each species and medium community stability. Environmental conditions in the Bama Coast Forest with 93% humidity and an average air temperature of 26-27oC could support for the fungi to grow quite well.

Biolarvacide of Culex quinquefasciatus

Biolarvicide is the larvicide derived from plants and relatively safe. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pletekan leaf powder (Ruellia tuberosa), mimosa (Mimosa pudica), papaya (Carica papaya), and guava (Psidium guajava) on Culex quiquefasciatus larval mortality. The method was an experimental with a completely randomized design consisted of 5 treatments (0 gr, 0,25 gr, 0,5 gr, 0,75 gr, and 1 gr) and 5 repetitions for each plant. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance. Based on the results, leaf powder used in the study, namely guava leaves powder (1 gr), mimosa (1 gr), leaves of pletekan (1 gr), and leaves of papaya (1 gr) showed a very significant effect (P < 0,05) on Culex quiquefasciatus larval mortality. It can be concluded that the pletekan, mimosa, papaya, and guava had the potential as biolarvicide of Culex quinquefasciatus.