Essential Oil Compounds of Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.) Fruit Varieties and Their Utilization as Skin Anti-Aging Using Molecular Docking.

Exposure to UV/infrared (IR) radiation is the main extrinsic factor that changes skin morphology and affects the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin aging. Ten varieties of andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC.) fruit are presumed to have skin anti-aging compounds via an enzyme-inhibition mechanism. This study aims to compare ten essential oils (EOs) of andaliman fruit varieties, group them according to their varieties, and obtain the chemical components that can be used as potential skin anti-aging agents using molecular docking. EOs were isolated by hydrodistillation, and the determination of the chemical compounds was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Using the Orange data mining software, a heatmap was used for grouping and showing the abundance of the compounds of ten varieties. Finally, molecular docking was conducted using the software AutoDockTools 1.5.7. There were 97 chemical components in the ten EOs of andaliman fruit varieties, with the main chemical components being geranyl acetate (29.87%) and D-limonene (26.49%), and they were grouped into three clusters. The chemical components that are prospective candidates as skin anti-aging agents are geranyl acetate and D-limonene, found in abundance in the Sihalus variety of andaliman fruit. These can be developed for applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

Sensitive Simultaneous Determinations of 1,2-Dihydroxynaphthalene and Catechol by an Amperometric Biosensor.

An amperometric biosensor for 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) and catechol (Cat) has been developed in order to monitor the biodegradaton of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). DHN is a common intermediary metabolite in naphthalene and phenanthrene degradation, while Cat is produced by further degradation. These compounds were detected by a biosensor modified with pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH). The biosensor was based on signal amplification by enzyme-catalyzed redox cycling and was able to detect DHN and Cat at very low concentrations down to 10-9 M. Since the anodic waves of DHN and Cat were well separated, simultaneous determinations of these compounds were possible. Although the current signal for DHN was reduced in repeated measurements due to the oxidative polymerization of DHN, it can be avoided when the concentration of DHN was sufficiently low (<1 µM).

Characteristics of Surian Flower, Fruit and Seed Productions (Toona sinensis (A. Juss.) M. Roem.) in Sumedang, West Java.

Community forest development requires a constant supply of high-quality seeds. In addition, sound management of Toona sinensis (surian) seed sources requires a deep understanding of factors affecting seed production. This present study investigated the reproduction characteristics of surian, including flower, fruit and seed productions, variations in the productions of fruits and seeds among trees and among branches, and dendrometric factors that influence the productions of fruits and seeds. Flower production characteristics were observed in 99 panicles, fruit production characteristics were observed in 128 panicles, and seed characteristics were evaluated based on 890 fruits. The number of fruits per panicle ranged from 38 to 646. The number of seeds in fruits ranged from 1 to 35. Fruit size was correlated to the number of filled seeds following a quadratic regression equation. The optimal number of filled seeds was 20 per fruit. Stem diameter, crown width, crown base height, and the number of sub-branches positively influenced the production of panicles per tree, while the crown base height (of the tree) negatively affected the fruit set.

Growth and Nutrient Status of Kayu Kuku [ Pericopsis mooniana (Thw.) Thw] with Mycorrhiza in Soil Media of Nickel Post Mining Site.

BACKGROUND: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi are categorized as phytoremediant and increase the tolerance of plants under condition of heavy metal pollution. Effectiveness of AMF is determined very much by species of AMF, plant species and environmental condition. Therefore, testing the effect of local AMF on growth and absorption of nutrients and metal by Pericopsis mooniana planting stocks in growing media which are heavily polluted by heavy metal, need to be conducted. METHODOLOGY: There were testing of 6 inoculums of local AMF which were isolated from rhizosphere of P. mooniana, namely AMF from district of Kolaka (Lamedai Nature Reserve, Tanggetada Natural Forest, Bali Jaya Village Plantation Forest and PT. Vale Indonesia Tbk) and from Kendari town (Campus environment of Halu Oleo University and Office of Southeast Sulawesi Governor). Besides the 6 local AMF, there were treatment without AMF (control) and treatment with mycofer as comparison. RESULTS: Results showed that local AMF were effective in increasing growth and biomass of plants; absorption of C, N, P and K in three parts of the plants; Ca in stems and leaves and of Mg in leaf tissues; increasing formation of plant's root nodules and were able to reduce Ni content in tissues of kayu kuku planting stocks. Effects of local AMF from Lamedai nature reserve and AMF from PT. Vale Indonesia were greater as compared with those of mycofer IPB. Content of Ni in kayu kuku plant tissue was found more in roots as shown by the value of TF<1. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, kayu kuku is categorized as excluder species (TF<1) and moderate species toward Ni (>50 mg Ni/kg of plant dry weight) and possessed very high dependence on AMF (MIE >75%). Local AMF are potential to be developed as biological fertilizer to improve planting stocks for rehabilitation of degraded land.