Effect of rosella-based kombucha tea on the lipid profile on hyperlipidemic rats (Rattus norvegicus)

The purpose of this study was to determine the lipid profile of white rats (Rattus norvegicus) with high-fat feed after fermentation of rosella kombucha with various concentrations. This study used 20 white male rats (Rattus norvegicus) aged two months, with rosella kombucha treatment fermented for five days at 25oC per oral. This study used Completely Randomized Design with four treatments (for 21 days) and four replications, namely: P0 = Control, rats were only given food and drink as usual (with the same type of rat feed). P1 = 1 ml of pork oil/day for 14 days + 1.8 ml of rosella kombucha 50% in the morning and evening for seven days. P2 = 1 ml of pork oil/day for 14 days + 1.8 ml of 75% rosella kombucha morning and afternoon for seven days. P3 = 1 ml of pork oil/day for 14 days + 1.8 ml of 100% kombucha rosella morning and afternoon for seven days. The variables measured were levels of LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein). The data obtained were analyzed using ANOVA followed by Duncan Test with 95% confidence level using SPSS 16.0 software. The results showed that administration of rosella kombucha did not have a significant effect on LDL and HDL levels of white rats (Rattus norvegicus). Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the 5-day fermentation of kombucha rosella with various concentrations did not affect LDL and HDL levels.

Plant diversity based on pollen and spores morphology from sediment lake of Kedung Ombo Purwodadi

Kedung Ombo Lake was an artificial lake that has formed since 26 years ago. Environmental has changed from the terrestrial environment into the aquatic environment, because of that the diversity of flora around the Lake Kedung Ombo was changed. The diversity of flora can be learned through the morphology of pollen and spores. Aimed of this study was to determine the diversity of plants based on the morphology pollen and spores that found in the Lake Kedung Ombo sediment. Sampling took by coring clay soil sediment in depth of 1 m, located near the outlet of Lake Kedung Ombo. Data were analyzed by making the morphology of pollen and spores description. The result showed that morphology of pollen and spores are found in the Lake Kedung Ombo sediment has a variety of shapes and sizes. The plant's diversity obtained are 25 taxa plants that were categorized into 3 taxa of arboreal pollen (AP), 9 taxa of non-arboreal pollen (NAP) and 13 taxa of spores. The dominance of taxa NAP is Celtis sp. (45,12%), this suggested that shrubs or not plant trees were more developed in Lake Kedung Ombo environment. The study concluded that the value of diversity index categorized as low and the value of similarity index categorized as high, it means that plant diversity was quite similar and there is no significant changes of diversity with their presence were quite stable.

Community structure of algae epiphytic in different leaf litter of mangroves

Mangrove is a plant that has the morphological and physiological adaptations to habitats which influenced by a tide. This plant can grow and develop in an environment of high salinity and its soil conditions are less stable and aerobic. Litter mangrove is the main source for the availability of detritus and is the largest component constituent of a food web in a mangrove ecosystem environment. Algae epiphytic microalgae is a group that lives attached to the plant, including the mangrove litter. The study aims to assess the abundance and diversity of epiphytic algae on different types of mangrove leaf litter. The observed mangroves leaf litter were Avicennia alba, Sonneratia sp. and Rhizophora sp. Epiphytic algae were brushed on mangrove leaf litter covering an area of 6.25 cm2 and diluted with distilled water. Samples were observed under a microscope with a magnification of 400 x. Water quality parameters were measured in situ and the organic ingredients, total N and P were analyzed. The results showed that epiphytic algae on each type of mangrove leaf litter were not different. Rhizophora sp is the most abundant and the richest species compared with other types of litter that are equal to 622 individuals / cm2 and 26 species of epiphytic algae. While the abundance of Avicennia alba and Sonneratia sp were 459 ind/cm2 and 321 ind /cm2, in the coastal mangrove areas of Morodemak was found 28 species of epiphytic algae. The common epiphytic algae species found in all types of mangrove litter were Cymbella sp., Coscinodiscus sp., and Synedra ulna. In general, the group of Bacillariophyta (diatoms) is the dominant species in some mangrove leaf.

Local community’s perspective on the current state and management of “Sendang Kalimah Toyyibah” Spring

“Sendang Kalimah Toyyibah” is important spring with socio cultural value. However, the increasing activity might cause ecological changes which may affect the sustainability. This research aimed to study the condition of “Sendang Kalimah Toyyibah” based on local society’s perspective to analyze the correlation of the condition toward the management policies, and to formulate the management strategy for sustainable management of the spring. The research was conducted from April to May 2018, through field observation. The research instrument used was questionnaire with three level of likert scale measurement. Data analysis was conducted by descriptive and statistical analysis with correlation and crosstabulation. The result showed that most of the respondents agreed that the spring has changed in the last 5 years. The local factor related to the change of the spring is the development of facilities. However, the change of the spring was not followed by the change of ecological condition, such as reduced debit, decreased water quality and decreased forest coverage. The current management of “Sendang Kalimah Toyyibah” was limitation of exploitation. However, currently there is no replantation effort or development of preservation area even though some respondents suggested that some plants species is no loger found in the spring ecosystem. Suggested management plan included plantation of the spring surrounding to increase plants density and diversity.

Shallow water sponges that associated to mangrove ecosystem at Labuhan conservation area in Sepulu, Bangkalan, Madura, East Java Province

Sponges (Porifera) are benthic sessile animals that have an important role in coastal ecosystems. Mangrove habitat is an example of a coastal ecosystem that can be inhabited by sponges. Research diversity on shallow water sponges in mangrove areas in Indonesia or even large scale such as the Indo-Pacific area are still relatively underestimated because of an extreme difference tidal factors. For this reason, we aimed to research a diversity of shallow water sponges in mangrove Indonesia, especially in East Java Province to enrich and inform additional data on its biodiversity. Research on shallow water sponges in mangrove was conducted from June 2017 to January 2018 at two stations located on the coast of Labuhan Village, Sepulu District, Bangkalan Regency, Madura - East Java. Mangrove areas are consisted of Sonneratiaarea in the west (B) and Rhizophoramangroves in the east (R). There were six sponge genera identified, namely Spongia, Dysisdea, Lendelfedia, Dactylospongia, Cynachyrellaand one unidentified genus. Sonneratiamangrove was inhabited by of five genera sponges, whereas Rhizoporamangrove was inhabited only by one genus

Indonesian red chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) capsaicin and its correlation with their responses to pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum

Red chili is a commercial crop for the food industry in Indonesia. There are some categories of red chili based on their pungency. The hot chili usually has more capsaicin than the sweet chili. Some cultivars may have more resistance to pathogen infection than the others. This research aimed to analyze the disease resistance of red chili cultivars from Indonesia against pathogenic Fusariumoxysporum and the correlation with capsaicin contents. Disease resistance was examined by determination of the Disease Severity Index (DSI) 15 dpi (days post inoculation). The correlation was analyzed by the regression coefficient. The result showed that the most resistance cultivar against F. oxysporum was Branang, while Lembang-1displayed the contrary. There was not a correlation of capsaicin content with the chili resistance to F. oxysporum.