Geochemistry exploration and geothermometry application in the North Zone of Seulawah Agam, Aceh Besar District, Indonesia

© 2019 MDPI AG. All rights reserved. Ageochemistry study has been done in four geothermal manifestations-Ie-Seu’um, Ie-Brôuk, Ie-Jue and the Van-Heutz crater-located in the north zone of Seulawah Agam mountain (Aceh Besar District, Indonesia). The study was performed through water and gas analysis. Water analysis were done for all geothermal manifestations, but gas analysis was only done for the Ie-Jue manifestation that has fumaroles. Cation and anion contents were analyzed by ion chromatography, ICP-OES, alkalimetry titrations, and spectrophotometry, meanwhile isotopes were measured by a Liquid Water Isotope Analyzer. The resulting data were used for fluid and gas geothermometry calculations, and plotted in a FT-CO2 Cross-Plot and a CH4-CO2-H2S triangle diagram to obtain reservoir temperatures. The data were also plotted by a Cl-HCO3-SO4 triangle and Piper diagram to obtain the water type and dominant chemical composition, a Na-K-Mg triangle diagram to obtain fluid equilibria, the isotope ratio in the stable isotope plot to obtain the origin of water, and a N2-He-Ar triangle diagram to establish the origin of fumaroles. The water analysis results showed that (1) Ie-Seu’um has an average reservoir temperature of 241.9 0.3 °C, a chloride water type, a dominant Na-K-Cl chemical composition, a mature water fluid equilibrium, and water of meteoric origin; (2) Ie-Brôuk has an average reservoir temperature of 321.95 13.4 °C, a bicarbonate water type, a dominant Na-Ca-HCO3chemical composition, an immature water fluid equilibrium, and water of meteoric origin; (3) Ie-Jue has an average reservoir temperature of 472.491.4 °C, a sulphate water type, a dominant Ca-SO4 chemical composition, an immature water fluid equilibrium and water of meteoric origin; and (4) the Van-Heutz crater has an average reservoir temperature of 439.395.3 °C, a sulphate water type, a dominant Ca-SO4 chemical composition, an immature water fluid equilibrium and water of magmatic origin. The results of our gas analysis showed that Ie-Jue has an average reservoir temperature of 258.85 °C, and water of meteoric origin. Based on the reservoir temperatures, the geothermal manifestation of the north zone of Seulawah Agam mountain is considered as a high-temperature geothermal system suitable for power plant development

Antibacterial Activity Tests of N-hexane, Ethyl Acetate, and Methanol Leaves (Vitex) Extract (pinnata) against Streptococcus mutans

BACKGROUND: Vitex pinnata is known as Laban, which is a medicinal plant used traditionally for generations to generations. Laban leaf extract with various concentrations has antibacterial activity. Laban leaf extract is known to inhibit the formation of Streptococcus mutant in human teeth. AIM: To exam, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum kill concentration (KBM) extract Laban leaves (V. pinnata) as an antibacterial against Streptococcus mutants. METHODS: This research was purely experimental research with design randomized pretest-posttest and control group. The study was conducted at the Laboratory Microbiology Faculty of Animal Health, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, from March to June 2019. The sample of this study was the Laban leaf from the Aceh Besar geothermal area. This research included preparation raw materials, chemical characterization of raw materials, determination of minimum and maximum components mixture, determining the optimum formula based on the best inhibitory potential, inhibitory testing antibacterial, standardized test, and test (one-way ANOVA). RESULTS: MIC of n-hexane extract showed the results of calculations; the percentage of bacterial inhibition was at a MIC of 1.56% on average colony −1.45 CFU/ml. In ethyl acetate extract, the MIC was 0.20% on the average colony −0.17 CFU/ml. The methanol extract can inhibit bacteria at the smallest concentration of 0.05% average colony −1.48 CFU/ml. Methanol extract inhibits bacteria more quickly. Concentration results minimum kill was 1.56%, 0.78%, 0.39%, 0.20%, 0.10%, and 0.05%. The smallest concentration of extract (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) can kill Streptococcus mutans bacteria that are marked in the absence of bacterial colonies on microbiological growth media. CONCLUSION: Extracts of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol from Laban leaves have inhibitory activity on the growth of S. mutans bacteria. The smallest concentration of extract (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) is able to kill S. mutans bacteria

Alternative briquette material made from palm stem biomass mediated by glycerol crude of biodiesel byproducts as a natural adhesive

© 2020 by the authors. Recently, the global population has increased sharply, unfortunately, the availability of fossil fuel resources has significantly decreased. This phenomenon has become an attractive issue for many researchers in the world so that various studies in the context of finding renewable energy are developing continuously. Relating to this challenge, this research has been part of scientific work in the context of preparing an energy briquette employing palm oil stems and glycerol crude of biodiesel byproducts as inexpensive and green materials easily found in the Riau province, Indonesia. Technically, the palm oil stems are used for the production of charcoal particles and the glycerol crude as an adhesive compound in the production of energy briquettes. The heating value of palm oil stem is 17,180 kJ/kg, which can be increased to an even higher value through a carbonization process followed by a densification process so that it can be used as a potential matrix to produce energy briquettes. In detail, this study was designed to find out several parameters including the eect of sieve sizes consisting of 60, 80, and 100 mesh, respectively, which are used for the preparation of charcoal particles as the main matrix for the manufacture of the briquettes; the eect of charcoal-adhesive ratios (wt) of 60:40, 70:30, and 80:20; and the eect of varied pressures of 100, 110, and 120 kg/cm2 on the briquette quality. The quality of the obtained briquettes is analyzed through the observation of important properties which involve the heating value and the compressive strength using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The results showed that the produced briquettes had an optimum heating value of 30,670 kJ/kg, while their loaded charcoal particles resulted from the mesh sieve of 80, in which there was a charcoal loading of 53 g and it pressed at 93.1821 bar, whereas, the compressive strength value of the briquette was 100,608 kg/cm2, which loaded charcoal particles from the mesh sieve of 100, the charcoal-adhesive ratio of 53:47 (wt) and the pressure of 93.1821 bar

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) from Fish Oil and Margarine as Bioactive Compound for Anti-inflammation in Occupational Dermatitis

Occupational dermatitis (OCD) is a skin inflammatory disease caused by allergens and irritant agents in the workplace. The disease is related to hypersensitivity reaction, which is correlated with an immunological mechanism (allergic contact dermatitis) and a nonimmunological mechanism (irritant contact dermatitis). Patients with atopic history (rhinitis allergy, asthma, and atopic dermatitis) have a higher risk of contracting OCD. Atopic individuals suffer from barrier skin damage that increases the risk of allergen and irritant penetration. Inflammatory reaction involves T-helper 1 (Th1), which produces cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (INF-γ), while T-helper 2 (Th2) produces interleukin (IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 substance from polyunsaturated free fatty acids (PUFAs)that has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect and the ability to decrease macrophage accumulation. In the inflammatory process, EPA inhibits IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, which are mediated by the free fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs). The aim of this study was to determine the bioactivity compound of EPA for anti-inflammatory agents and its target, based on in silico screening. The bioinformatic tools based on reverse docking used in this study were the PubChem compound database, the protein target prediction database, PharmMapper, SwissTargetPrediction, molecular docking software PyRx 0.8, ligand docking, and binding site analysis using PyMOL software. Docking and binding site analysis showed that EPA was able to interact withFABPs, with the binding affinity of EPA with FABP 4 higher (–4.2 kcal/mol) than that of hydrocortisone with FABP 4 (–7.4 kcal/mol). EPA has the same binding site and relative bonding power as the FABPs; thus, it has potential as an alternative anti-inflammatory medicine in OCD. Keywords: occupational dermatitis, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), free fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs), reverse dockin

Anticataract activity of ethanolic extract from Hippobroma longiflora (L.) G.Don leaves: Ex vivo investigation

Context: In Aceh, Hippobroma longiflora, known as kitolodby the locals, is believed to possess medicinal benefits such as anticataract. Aims: To investigate the anticataract activity of ethanolic extract from H. longiflora leaves ex vivo. Methods: The dried fine powder of H. longiflora was macerated using ethanol at room temperature, and the concentrated extract was prepared in concentrations ranging from 100 to 300 μg/mL. The cataract model was established by using goat lens induced with H2O2 and later exposed to the extract for treatment. Anti-cataract activity was assessed by observing the change in lens opacity. Further, malondialdehyde levels and activities of endogenous antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase). Results: The apparent cataract opacity reduced after the exposure of the extract was observed macroscopically. The cataract eyes experienced a significant increase (p<0.05) in malondialdehyde level and a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. The pathologic conditions could be reversed by introducing the extract with a concentration as low as 100 μg/mL (p<0.05). Conclusions: The ethanolic extract of H. longiflora leaf has a potential anticataract effect by ameliorating oxidative stress-related biocompounds