Journal of Tropical Biodiversity and Biotechnology

Peliosanthes Cambodiana, A New Record for The Flora of Vietnam with Focus on Its Anatomical Characteristics

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 10:34:44 +0700

This report documents Peliosanthes cambodiana as a newly recorded species in the flora of Vietnam, with its distribution identified on Phu Quoc and Tho Chu Islands. Additionally, the anatomical characteristics of the leaf sheath, leaf, and root of the studied species are described here for the first time.

Identification of Parathelphusa sp. in the Catchment Area of Lake Matano, South Sulawesi, Using Classical Taxonomy and DNA Barcoding

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The study aimed to identify and classify Parathelphusa sp. in Lake Matano using classical taxonomy and DNA barcoding. It included morphological and morphometric analysis, alongside molecular analysis with the Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (COI) gene and NCBI GenBank BLAST Nukleotida Standard. The results revealed two morphotypes, one identified as Parathelphusa pantherine, while the second remained unidentified despite resembling Parathelphusa pallida. This research underscores the value of combining DNA barcoding and classical taxonomy (morphological and morphometric) for species identification, offering new insights into the genetic diversity of Parathelphusa crabs in Lake Matano, supports conservation, ecosystem management, and protection of endemic species.

Bioinformatic Characterization of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Genes in Wild Arachis Species with Expression Insights in Arachis Hypogaea

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 11:27:06 +0700

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are crucial signalling components involved in plant growth, development, and responses to environmental stimuli. While their roles are well established in model plants, comprehensive characterisation in Arachis species remains limited. This in silico study conducted a genome-wide identification and analysis of MAPK genes in cultivated peanut (A. hypogaea) and its two wild Arachis species, A. duranensis, and A. ipaensis. We identified 42 AhMAPK, 18 AraduMAPK, and 18 AraipMAPK proteins in A. hypogaea, A. duranensis, and A. ipaensis, respectively. These MAPK proteins exhibited diverse physicochemical properties and gene structures. We constructed a maximum likelihood-based phylogenetic tree, categorising the MAPK proteins in Arachis species, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Medicago truncatula, into five distinct groups. Gene structure analysis indicated substantial exon-intron variation, implying potential regulatory complexity and alternative splicing mechanisms. Transcriptome data analysis across multiple major organ and tissue types revealed differential expression patterns, with certain AhMAPK genes showing strong tissue-specific expression, particularly in leaves, roots, and reproductive organs. The inclusion of diploid progenitors provided insights into the evolutionary trajectory and functional conservation of MAPK genes in Arachis species. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of MAPK-mediated signalling in peanuts and offer a genetic foundation for future studies aimed at improving stress resilience and crop performance. The identified MAPK genes present valuable targets for genetic engineering and molecular breeding programmes to enhance peanut productivity and adaptability to environmental stresses.

Unveiling Actinobacteria Potency from The Sungai Wain Protected Forest, East Kalimantan, Indonesia: A Promising Source of Antibacterial, Anti-Biofilm, and Antioxidant Compounds

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 14:11:48 +0700

Actinobacteria are Gram-positive bacteria widely distributed in soil environments and are well known for producing diverse bioactive compounds. Almost 80 % of the antibiotics in the world are derived from actinobacteria. However, inappropriate use of antibiotics has accelerated antibiotic resistance in many pathogenic bacteria. This study aimed to screen and analyse actinobacteria from the soil of the Sungai Wain protected forest to determine their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant potential. The research involved several stages, including preliminary screening; secondary metabolite production; determination of Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), anti-biofilm assay, and antioxidant assay; 16S rRNA gene identification; biosynthetic genes detection (PKS and NRPS); and compound profiling using GC-MS. Three isolates, K22S-22, 31, and 36 exhibited the highest inhibition zones, with K22S-22 showing the strongest activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis (IC50 = 1.033±0.033 μg mL^-1 and 4.155±0.028 μg mL^-1, respectively). Strain K22S-22 also displayed antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 67.59 ± 0.020 μg mL⁻¹) and significant antibiofilm effects (inhibition IC₅₀ = 4.541 ± 0.124 μg mL⁻¹; eradication EC₅₀ = 50.71 ± 0.029 μg mL⁻¹). Molecular identification revealed K22S-22 as Streptomyces rapamycinicus NRRL B-5491 (T) with a similarity value of 99.08 %, harbouring PKS-I, PKS-II, and NRPS genes. The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy analysis (GC-MS) shows that Hexadecanoic acid is the dominant compound based on its area percentage. These findings highlight Streptomyces K22S-22 is a promising source of metabolites that exhibit potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antibiofilm characteristics, presenting opportunities for new therapeutic uses against multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.

The Effect of 2-iP (2-isopentenyl adenine) Concentration on the Growth of Ki Aksara Orchids (Macodes petola (Blume) Lindl.) In Vitro

Yenisbar, Arief Wicaksono, Edhi Sandra — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:14:56 +0700

This study aims to determine the optimal concentration of 2-iP (2-isopentenyl adenine) for the in vitro shoot growth of Ki Aksara orchids (Macodes petola (Blume) Lindl.). The experiment was conducted at the Esha Flora Tissue Culture Laboratory, Kedung Waringin Sub-district, Tanah Sereal District, Bogor City, from December 2022 to March 2023. The method used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) comprising six treatment levels, leading to a total of 30 experimental units. The treatment levels included P0 (Control), P1 (0.05 mg L^-1), P2 (0.10 mg L^-1), P3 (0.15 mg L^-1), P4 (0.20 mg L^-1), and P5 (0.25 mg L^-1). The observed parameters included the number of shoots, stem diameter, number of leaves, number of roots, plant height, and leaf colour. Subsequently, the collected data were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), followed by a Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at a 95 % confidence level. The results showed that 2-iP concentration of 0.10 mg L^-1was the most effective in promoting the growth of apical shoots, stem diameter, root number, and plant height of Ki Aksara orchids. The two types of shoots observed were apical and lateral. However, the expected growth corresponded to apical shoots, which were predominantly found at 2-iP concentration of 0.10 mg L^-1.

Wings Above Wilderness: Diversity and Ecological Significance of Winged Vertebrates in Nusa Barung Island Wildlife Reserved, East Java, Indonesia

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:26:37 +0700

Nusa Barung Island is a small conservation area at one of Indonesia borders in the Indiana Ocean. There is limited data on biodiversity due to the accessibility and the freshwater sources availability. Data on bird species at this location is still limited; even bat data is completely absent. This study aims to identify the bird and bat species and their ecological roles. We conducted bird surveys using point count and sound recording methods and captured bats using mist and sweep nets. We found 389 individuals in 32 birds, with a diversity index (H') value ranging from 2.23 to 2.58. The Pycnonotus plumosus, Chalcophaps indica, and Collocalia esculenta recorded having wide distribution and high abundance. We identified 10 species from 141 captured bats, while Pteropos vampyrus colonies were directly observed. The H’ index of bat species ranged from 0.46 to 0.78. The Rousettus amplexicaudatus were most captured. The ecological role of birds and bats includes trophic interactions in food webs and ecosystem services (insect control, seed dispersal, prey population controlling, and pollinator). The diversity of bird and bat species is relatively moderate and low, respectively, but their role in maintaining ecology is essential. The study included new records of all bats found and ten previously unreported bird species that are a basis for improving area protection.

Characterisation of Plant Growth Promoting Actinobacteria from Sungai Wain Protected Forest, East Kalimantan

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 12:29:37 +0700

The excessive use of chemical-based fertilisers, herbicides, and pesticides in Indonesian agriculture has resulted in negative environmental impacts. As a sustainable alternative, the application of biofertilisers remains uncommon despite their proven ecological benefits. A group of microorganisms known as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) that plays a crucial role in enhancing plant growth. Among them, actinobacteria are gram-positive bacteria that involved in ecological processes such as organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycle, plant growth promotion and plant pathogen’s suppression. This study aims to investigate the potency of actinobacteria isolated from Sungai Wain Protected Forest, East Kalimantan as plant growth-promoting agents. A total of 96 actinobacteria isolates were revived from glycerol stock and subjected to primary screening through qualitative assays to assess phosphate solubilisation activity, nitrogen fixation, and Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) production. Twenty-eight isolates demonstrated positive result among three PGP traits were subsequently selected for secondary screening, involving quantitative determination of IAA production and phosphate solubilisation through colorimetric assay. K22S-63 was identified as the most promising candidate, exhibiting the highest IAA production and phosphate solubilisation values of 43.80 and 41.51 µg mL^-1, respectively. Molecular analysis was performed by amplifying PGPR-associated genes using PCR. The targeted genes included iaaM, phoD, PKS, and NRPS. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that K22S-63 shared 99.65 % similarity with Peterkaempfera griseoplana. These findings suggested that K22S-63 holds potential as bioinoculants with promising capabilities as plant growth promoter and biocontrol agents.

First Record on Microbial Colonies in Freshwater Sponges in East Java, Indonesia, and Their Estimated Pollutant Degradation Genes

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:23:53 +0700

Sponges are known to harbor diverse and abundant microbial colonies. Nevertheless, studies on the diversity and abundance of microbial colonies in freshwater sponges have not been as extensive as those of marine sponges. This study investigates the microbial colonies of two freshwater sponge species, Eunapius carteri and Oncosclera asiatica, from the Kaliporong River in Indonesia. High microbial diversity was observed, with E. carteri harboring over 1,400 unique microbial species (Operational Taxonomic Units or OTUs) and O. asiatica hosting over 400. Proteobacteria were the dominant bacterial group in both sponges, comprising over 90 % of O. asiatica and over 50 % in E. carteri colonies. Functional profiling revealed a high potential for xenobiotic degradation in both sponge species, particularly through pathways involving Cytochrome P450 and the degradation of benzoate, caprolactam, and aminobenzoate. O. asiatica shows more of these degradation pathways than E. carteri. For example, benzoate degradation, involving over 60 genes or enzymes, was more pervasive in O. asiatica (5.81 %) than in E. carteri (5.03 %). These findings highlight the significant role of freshwater sponges in supporting diverse microbial populations with potential for bioremediation, particularly in polluted environments like the Kaliporong River. Further research is needed to understand the specific functions of these microbial colonies in freshwater sponges and their impact on the ecosystem.

Biomonitoring Application at IMTA Cage at Two Different Farming Areas: An Effort Towards Productive Sustainable Aquaculture

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:56:49 +0700

The evaluation of the application of the Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system is needed due to potential environmental disturbance caused by organic enrichment. The aim of this study is to assess the potential environmental disturbance by applying biomonitoring, measuring the relationship between macrobenthic structure and organic matter in farmed zones in Karimunjawa and Teluk Awur, Jepara, Indonesia. The study was conducted at two coastal areas: Teluk Awur (Station 1: MSTP Area; Station 2: Coast of Panjang Island) and Karimunjawa (Station 1: Monoculture Zone; Station 2: Polyculture Zone). Sediment sample analysis at Teluk Awur stations revealed an average organic carbon (C-organic) content of 3.3 mg C gdw^-1 and an average total nitrogen (N-total) content of 0.7 mg N gdw^-1, whilst those at Karimunjawa had an average of 5.0 mg C gdw^-1 and 0.8 mg N gdw^-1, respectively. The total abundance of macrobenthic communities from Karimunjawa (55,812 ind m^-2) was higher than in Teluk Awur coastal area (48,676 ind m^-2), implying a better sediment property for the microbenthic habitat. Dominant species in Teluk Awur were Peronidia sp. (3655 ind m^-2), Divalucina sp. (2709 ind m^-2), and Turritella sp. (3913 ind m^-2), whilst in Karimunjawa they were Fustiaria sp. (3569 ind m^-2), Bittium sp. (4687 ind m^-2), Rissoina sp. (5029 ind m^-2), and Cerithium sp. (3784 ind m^-2). The most influential abiotic factor affecting macrobenthic structure was N-total (BIO-ENV, Primer 6.1.5; r = 0.117). Anthropogenic activities such as fishing and tourism are suspected to influence changes in organic chemical compounds.

The Effects of Rearing Media on the Growth and Microbiome Diversity in the Digestive Tract of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 13:04:45 +0700

This study aimed to determine the nutritional content and rearing substrate and identify types of microbiota in the digestive tracts of BSF larvae. The substrates used include BSFB (fruit waste), BSFC (fermented bread waste), BSFP (bread waste), BSFS (palm kernel meal), and BSFSO (organic waste). Data on the nutritional content of the substrates and body, the length of the intestinal epithelium of BSF larvae, and the diversity of 32 microbiomes in the digestive tract of BSF larvae were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance with a significance level of 95%. The high and low nutrient content of BSF larvae is influenced by the substrate used. BSF larvae utilized the protein in the substrate to form their body proteins. BSF larvae grown on BSFS substrate showed the highest increase in length of digestive tract epithelium compared to other substrates. Differences in substrate types are one of the factors that affect the diversity of bacterial communities. The most dominant phylum in BSFB, BSFC, BSFS and BSFSO was Proteobacteria, with relative abundances of 62.53 %, 59.63 %, 56.35 %, and 61.35 %, respectively. The most dominant genus in BSFP was Dysgonomonas (69.04 %). Differences in substrate type are one of the factors influencing the diversity of bacterial communities within the digestive tract of BSF larvae. These results provide information for formulating specific substrates that promote beneficial gut bacteria, optimize nutrient conversion, and reduce rearing costs.

Morphological Variation of Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792) in Central Kalimantan: Insights into Habitat-Driven Adaptations

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 14:43:45 +0700

Anabas testudineus (Bloch, 1792) is a native freshwater species from Central Kalimantan with high adaptability. This study examines morphological variations based on 25 morphometric and 14 meristic characters, as well as body colour patterns and markings, using 150 samples collected from ten locations across four districts and one city in Central Kalimantan. Morphometric data were standardised and analysed using PCA and Kruskal-Wallis tests to identify the most influential characters in forming fish group clusters. Meristic characters were evaluated descriptively through tabulations of fin and scale count variations in each group. The results revealed three main clusters formed based on the most influential morphometric characters: Mouth to Pectoral Fin Base Distance (H), Anal Fin to Caudal Fin Base Distance (L), Anal Fin Height (V), and Body Width (Y). Meristic analysis showed only one character with similarity across groups, while 13 other characters showed significant differences among fish groups. Regarding colour patterns, ten colour variations were found, showing a tendency for dark colour dominance and five unique body markings. These findings confirm phenotypic adaptations to diverse aquatic habitats, including peat swamps and river ecosystems. This study contributes to the understanding of phenotypic plasticity as a response to environmental differences in A. testudineus and provides a basis for future conservation strategies. Further research is needed to confirm the genetic relationships of the observed fish variations.

Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Wound Healing Capacities of Merremia Borneensis Leaves from Brunei Darussalam

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:54:54 +0700

Merremia borneensis has important applications in traditional folk medicine. However, the ethnomedicinal value of the plant has yet to receive scientific validation. Bioactivities of M. borneensis leaves from Brunei Darussalam were evaluated by analysing the antioxidant, wound healing, and antibacterial activities of the methanol extract and its chloroform, ethyl acetate, and hexane partitioned extracts. The DPPH radical scavenging assay was used to assess the antioxidant capacities of the extracts. The disc diffusion assay was adopted to investigate the antimicrobial activities of the extracts against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The wound healing activities of the methanol extract were analysed using in vivo analysis on male Wistar rats. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts demonstrated high radical scavenging activities of over 90 %. Antibacterial activities of both methanol and ethyl acetate extracts were evident against all four bacterial strains, whereas the chloroform extract only showed activity against E. coli. The hexane extract showed weak antioxidant activity and no detectable antibacterial activity. In the wound healing study, topical treatment with 50 % w w-¹ of the methanol extract in pure petroleum jelly base yielded complete wound closure at post-wounding day 15. Both 10 % and 50 % w w^-1 dosages accelerated wound contraction and showed augmented formation of collagen structures. Overall, the Bruneian M. borneensis leaf extracts showed substantial antioxidant and antibacterial activities, while topical treatment with M. borneensis showed improved wound healing progress in the treated animals.

Food Plants and Feeding Behaviour of lowland Anoa (Bubalus depressicornis Smith, 1827) in Tanjung Peropa Wildlife Reserve, Southeast Sulawesi

Abdul Haris Mustari, Poppy Desita Sari Guna Wiyanda, Ola Prajab Aso — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:54:31 +0700

Lowland anoa is endemic to Sulawesi, inhabiting the tropical rain forests on the island. The animal’s food plants included leaves, shoots and growing tips of branches, young twigs, and fallen fruit of many plant species. This study aimed to reveal the food plants and feeding behaviour of lowland anoa in their natural habitat in Tanjung Peropa Wildlife Reserve, Southeast Sulawesi. The potential food plants and faecal samples of anoa were collected, and epidermis left in the faecal samples was analysed and identified microscopically. Based on the characteristics of the plants’ epidermis, the plant species could be identified. A total of 55 species of food plants was identified in the faecal samples of anoa. The chief food items of the anoa were dicotyledonous plants representing 84 %, monocots 11 %, and ferns 5 %. Parts of the food plants eaten by the animals were mainly leaves and stems constituted 78 %, while fruit composed 22 % of the diet. Intact fruit seeds found in the faecal samples suggest that anoas play significant roles as seed dispersers, and propagate many species of fruit trees in the tropical rain forest of Sulawesi.

The Citrus sinensis Peel Extract Elevates the Cytotoxicity Effect of Doxorubicin and Inhibits 4T1 Cell Migration

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:57:17 +0700

Combination therapy using natural-based substances is an effective approach to increase the efficacy of doxorubicin (Dox) while reducing its toxicity towards normal cells. This general chemotherapeutic agent treats various cancer cells, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Citrus sinensis peel extract (CPE) contains sinensetin (Sin), which exhibits anti-cancer effects, offering good prospects as a co-chemotherapy agent. This research aims to evaluate the co-chemotherapeutic potency of CPE-contained Sin when combined with Dox and also study its influence on 4T1 cell migration. Assays performed in this experiment included cell viability assay using MTT in individual and combination manner, clonogenic assay to analyse the proliferation inhibition effects of the treatments, scratch wound healing assay to assess the cells’ migration status, and gelatine zymography to evaluate cells’ matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity.. This experiment confirmed that CPE and Sin had cytotoxic effects on 4T1 cells with the IC₅₀ of 536 μg mL^-1 and 120 μM, respectively, while Dox performed cytotoxicity on 4T1 cells with an IC₅₀ of 2 μM. The combination of CPE and Dox showed strong synergistic effects with the combination index (CI) <1.0. CPE and its co-administration with Dox permanently suppressed the colony formation of 4T1 cells after 10 days of treatment removal. CPE and Sin inhibited the 4T1 cell migration strongly compared to Dox. CPE in its single and mixture form with Dox inhibited the MMP-9 activity. These results suggest that CPE, when combined with Dox, could be a promising co-chemotherapy regimen for TNBC treatment, potentially reducing the risk of metastasis and relapse.

Porifera and Cnidaria Diversity and Paleoecology in Pleistocene Epoch at Sangiran, Indonesia

Donan Satria Yudha, Fadhil Arrasyid Ardianto — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 11:12:57 +0700

The Kalibeng Formation of Sangiran Dome geological outcrop (Indonesia) in is an area where various fossils have been found, including ancient human fossils (Homo erectus), vertebrate fauna, and marine biota such as coral reefs. To date, the species diversity of fossil corals and sponges in Sangiran Dome and Indonesia, in general, is not widely known. The Sangiran stratigraphy is divided into several layers, with the lowest layer being the Kalibeng Formation, which was an ancient shallow sea, according to Brasseur et al. (2015). Further study can be conducted on the ancient corals and sponges’ in Sangiran to reveal the past environmental conditions, particularly during the Pleistocene period in the Sangiran Dome area. Fossilised corals and sponges with well-preserved conditions can serve as a basis for identifying various genera member of the Phylum Porifera and Cnidaria, using specific morphological characteristics for identification. The objective of this study is to determine the genus diversity also to define diagnostic characteristics, and habitat of corals and sponges’ fossils in the Plio-Pleistocene Period at Sangiran. The method used for identifying fossil samples was morphological comparison against type specimens and references. The results indicated that the identified corals and sponges were grouped into seven families that inhabits in the neritic zone. This study concludes that each coral genus (phylum Cnidaria) has distinctive corallite characteristics, while sponge genus (phylum Porifera) has distinctive spicules that are useful for identification.

Short Test Performance of Nitrogen Removal by Anammox Bacteria from Lake Koto Baru, Indonesia, Using Pumice as a Carrier

Zulkarnaini Zulkarnaini, Reri Afrianita, Mahdiah Zulfa — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 10:33:05 +0700

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) removes ammonium under anaerobic conditions into nitrogen gas using nitrite as an electron acceptor by anammox bacteria belonging to the phylum Planctomycetota. The performance of nitrogen removal depends on the species and operating conditions. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of anammox bacteria from Lake Koto Baru, Indonesia, in nitrogen removal with Candidatus Brocadia sinica at tropical ambient temperature using pumice as a carrier. This experiment utilized two up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors with artificial wastewater containing ammonium and nitrite concentrations of 100 mg-N L^-1 and a hydraulic retention time of 12 hours for 31 days. Run 1 inoculated with Candidatus Brocadia sinica; Run 2 used enriched anammox bacteria from Lake Koto Baru, Indonesia. The concentrations of ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate were analyzed twice a week using Nessler's method, spectrophotometry, and screening UV spectrophotometry, respectively. The best nitrogen removal performance occurs in Run 2 using anammox bacteria from Lake Koto Baru, where the maximum nitrogen removal rate, ammonium conversion efficiency, and nitrogen removal efficiency were 0.395 kg-N m^-³ d^-1, 98.12 %, and 92.6 % of 0.341 kg-N m^-³ d^-1, 87 %, 79.8 % of Run 1. These results suggest that anammox bacteria from Lake Koto Baru are highly effective for nitrogen removal in tropical climates and are applicable for wastewater treatment systems in similar regions.

Identification of Partial GDF9 Gene for Genotyping Bligon Goats and Its Origin

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:44:30 +0700

GDF9, a peptide in the TGF-β growth factor family, plays a crucial role in oocyte growth and maturation, affecting reproduction through genetic factors. This makes it valuable for livestock selection via SNPs, which are used in genotyping methods like PCR-RFLP. This study aimed to identify SNPs, map restriction enzyme sites, and perform genotyping to explore reproductive traits in Bligon goats. A total of 91 female goats were analysed, including 36 Bligon goats, 26 Peranakan Etawa goats, and 29 Kacang goats, and all of them had single births. PCR amplification was conducted using two pairs of primers for the GDF9 gene: the forward primer 5'-CTCCTCTTGAGCCTCTGGTG-3' and reverse primer 5'-TCCAGTTGTCCCACTTCAGC-3' for GDF9-3, and forward primer 5'-TGTAAGATCGTCCCGTCACC-3' and reverse primer 5'-CACACTTCCTCTCCCTCTCA-3' for GDF9-6. Sequencing was done after amplification. Six SNPs were identified at positions g.2565C>M, g.2589G>A, g.2634G>A, g.2653G>T, g.2679A>G, and g.2691A>G, with one being synonymous (g.2653G>T) and five non-synonymous, causing amino acid changes. Among these, g.2565C>M was recognized by the restriction enzymes HpaII and MspI, was recommended for use in PCR-RFLP for genotyping with the GDF9-3 primer. The study also found that the genotype frequencies in Bligon, Peranakan Etawa, and Kacang goats were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), supporting the use of SNP g.2565C>M as a genetic marker. Enzym MspI can be used for genotyping the target gene in exon 2 of the GDF9 gene in three types of goats: Bligon, Peranakan Etawa, and Kacang.

Photoprotective Effect of Samia ricini (Drury, 1773) Silkworm Cocoon Extract on Viability and Collagen Production in Human Dermal Fibroblast (HDF) Cells Induced by UVB Irradiation

Cintya Angelina, Slamet Widiyanto, Ardaning Nuriliani, Sukirno Sukirno — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 14:23:07 +0700

UVB radiation (290–320 nm) induces oxidative stress, reducing cell viability and degrading collagen in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). Samia ricini, a non-mulberry silkworm, produces sericin—a natural protein with antioxidant, UV-protective, and anti-aging properties. However, its photoprotective potential remains underexplored, particularly in Indonesia. This study investigates the protective effects of Samia ricini cocoon extract (EKUS) against UVB-induced damage in HDF cells, as evaluated by measuring cell viability using the MTT assay and collagen production through the Sirius Red assay. HDF cells seeded at 5×10³ and 1×10⁴ cells/well were irradiated with UVB (280 mJ cm^-²) and treated with EKUS at concentrations ranging from 15.625 to 1000 µg mL^-1. EKUS showed no cytotoxicity in normal HDF cells across this concentration range. Pre-treatment with 500 µg mL^-1EKUS maintained cell viability above 80 % post-UVB exposure. At 1000 µg mL^-1, EKUS significantly enhanced cell viability to 123.86 ± 16.77 % and 128.39 ± 13.22 % at 5×10³ and 1×10⁴ cells/well, respectively. In collagen assays, EKUS at 900 µg mL^-1increased collagen production to 146.30 ± 27.20 % (5×10³ cells/well) and 189.04 ± 9.66 % (1×10⁴ cells/well), compared to UVB-treated controls. These findings indicate that EKUS exhibits significant photoprotective effects by preserving cell viability and enhancing collagen synthesis in UVB-exposed HDF cells. Additional studies are suggested to confirm its potential in more intricate models.

A Decade of Discovering New Nepenthes Species in Southeast Asia: A Review

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:54:53 +0700

Nepenthes is the largest genus of carnivorous pitcher plants, with the highest diversity in Southeast Asia, where an estimated 50,000 flowering plant species exist. The estimated plant diversity in this region continues to grow with the discovery of many new species in countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. Approximately 180 species of Nepenthes have been identified. The number of species in Southeast Asian countries is likely underestimated due to the lack of taxonomic research on groups with many local endemic species, suggesting that many new Nepenthes species remain unidentified. Therefore, this mini-review aims to reveal new Nepenthes species discovered in Southeast Asia over the past ten years. Data were collected from various journals, including Phytotaxa, Kalpataru, Philippine Journal of Science, Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology, Plants, Thailand Forest Bulletin, Phytokeys, Journal of Sustainable Natural Resources, Reinwardtia, Kew Bulletin, PeerJ, Carnivorous Plant Newsletter, Malayan Nature Journal, and Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography. The collected data were analysed based on the description of Nepenthes sp. nov., year of discovery, and distribution area. The identification of new species was based on differences in morphological, anatomical, and molecular characteristics. Thirty-seven new Nepenthes species were discovered in Southeast Asia in the past decade. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive surveys in understudied areas. Future efforts should combine molecular and ecological approaches to improve species discovery and guide conservation strategies addressing habitat loss and climate impacts.

Molecular Insights into the Genetic Diversity of Marine Zooplankton

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:59:42 +0700

Zooplankton are fundamental components of marine trophic networks and served as bioindicators of environmental changes. Assessing their genetic diversity is essential for biodiversity assessment, ecosystem monitoring, and evidence-based conservation strategies. The conventional morphological identification methods are limited in detecting cryptic species and lack phylogenetic resolution, necessitating the use of molecular approaches. Hence, this review synthesises the recent advancements in genomic tools for investigating marine zooplankton genetic variability, encompassing techniques such as DNA barcoding and metabarcoding, complete mitochondrial genome analysis, as well as environmental DNA profiling. We systematically evaluated the advantages of each method, the application of genetic markers, and their effectiveness in species identification, population genetics, and evolutionary studies. The genetic methods have greatly improved taxonomic resolution, revealed hidden biodiversity, and offered deeper insights into the population structure and community dynamics of marine zooplankton in response to human-induced pressures. Despite these achievements, several challenges persist, including incomplete genetic reference databases, sequencing errors, and the lack of standardised protocols. Accordingly, future research should prioritise the expansion of comprehensive genetic libraries, the refinement of bioinformatics pipelines, and the integration of multi-marker approaches to deepen our understanding of marine zooplankton genetic variation and ecological interactions. Continued improvement in these molecular methodologies will be important for the effective conservation of marine biodiversity, the mitigation of environmental fluctuation impacts, and the promotion of sustainable fisheries management.