Localization of Gfdd4-1 Expressed Protein in Physcomitrella Patens Cells

The expression of a new dehydration-related gene of Physcomitrella patens, GFDD4-I, was traced for its localization in the plant cells. This revelation is useful to predict the possible roles of the protein in plant tolerance to environmental stress. This gene was fused to gfp marker gene and transfected into the plant protoplasts. Under a confocal laser microscope, it was detected that the GFDD4-1 protein associated with the OFF started to generate at the cell periphery and developed more intensively inwards to cytoplasm, forming vesicles and cystemal structures or network. The protein might be membrane protein which may involve directly in membrane maintenance or cellular protection against stress conditions

Enhanced Production Level of Quinine in Cell Suspension Culture of Cinchona Ledgeriana Moens by Paclobutrazol

Quinine is one of the major alkaloids in Cinchona spp., and it is used both as a medication and as a drink additive. The plant produces most of its alkaloids in the bark after 6–8 years of age.Repeated harvests can be performed until the plant dies, but only after every 3–5 years. We tested an improved method for culturing cell suspensions of Cinchona ledgerianato investigate the possibility of increasing production of quinine. The clone QRC 315 was treated with either a growth retardant (abscisic acid or paclobutrazol) or precursor feeding of L-tryptophan. To generate stress, we applied mannitol at 5.3 g/L combined with sucrose at a lower concentration (20 g/L),and we used sucrose at 30 g/L as the control. Paclobutrazol (7 mg/L) significantly suppressed cell growth and produced the highest level of quinine (11%) after 7 weeks of culture. L-tryptophan also reduced cell growth, but without any positive effect in the production of quinoline. The highest amount of quinine per culture flask, however, resulted in cells treated with 3 mg/L abscisic acid

Estimating the Abundance and Composition of Soil Seed Bank at Bekol Savanna in Baluran National Park, West Java

The composition of soil-seed bank reflects the condition of vegetation in the past and could be used for predicting the composition of plants that will grow in the future. This study aims to determine the amount and composition of soil-seed bank in Bekol savanna, Baluran National Park. Soil samples were taken using a combination method of quadrat-transect on the invaded and not invaded areas by Acacia nilotica. Soil samples were extracted using wet-sieving method. After the extraction process, the seeds were identified and calculated using a stereo microscope. The result showed that soil-seed bank density was lower at the invaded location (7,566.88 seeds/m3) as compared to the uninvaded location (16,798.3 seeds/m3). The soil-seed bank was found in the invaded site comprising 12 species of broadleaved weeds and 5 species of grasses from 7 families, whereas those in the uninvaded area consisted of 10 species of broadleaved weeds and 7 species of grass from 8 families. This study showed that the invasion of A. nilotica significantly affected the amount and composition of soil-seed bank in various soil depths of Bekol savanna

Antidesma montanum: biochemistry and bioactive compounds

Antidesma montanum is commonly known as a mountain currant tree. Its fruits and leaves are utilized locally for food and traditional medicine, meanwhile the stem is used as source of wood. The fruit contains bioactive constituents of steroid glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, polyphenols and tannins that exhibited higher antioxidant activity than at certain concentrations of standard antioxidants (i.e. vitamin E, ascorbic acid, and trolox). The leave extracts known to inhibit the activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in diabetic therapy. Furthermore, the leave extracts also possessed scavenging activity against both hydroxyl and superoxide anion radicals, and inhibited the nitric oxide production. Meanwhile, another studies reported on the anti-inflammatory effect of Antidesma montanum, being used to treat eye diseases, and relieving chest pain. The leaves are used externally against headache and thrush in children, for diuretic and removing kidney stone, anti-dermatitis and skin disease curing effect. A tea from the leaves is used as a tonic for mothers after giving birth and applied topically to ulcers and lumbar pains. The roots are used to treat measles, chickenpox, malaria, and stomach ache. Nevertheless, extensive research is needed to confirm the reputed beneficial effects of Antidesma montanum in traditional medicine

Pendampingan Pembelajaran Nodemcu Menyongsong Era Revolusi Masyarakat 5.0 pada Siswa SMA X di Kota Bandung

Menyongsong era revolusi masyarakat 5.0 generasi muda perlu dibekali dengan ilmu pengetahuan yang bermanfaat pada waktu yang akan datang. Hal ini yang menjadi dasar dilakukan pendampingan pembelajaran NodeMCU sebagai salah satu perangkat Internet of Things yang berguna untuk mengendalikan perangkat dari perangkat mobile atau perangkat komputer jarak jauh. Evaluasi hasil pendampingan digunakan dua cara yaitu, metode survey dan participatory action research. Pendampingan diikuti oleh 43 siswa-siswi SMA X di Bandung selama dua hari. Hasil kuesioner pertama dan kedua setelah dibandingkan terdapat peningkatan pemahaman sebelum dan sesudah mentorship sebesar 20%-25% yang diperoleh dari persentasi siswa yang menjawab benar materi kuesioner. Sedangkan hasil kuesioner ketiga diperoleh pencapaian kepuasan siswa rata-rata di atas 3 yang berarti siswa merasa penyampaian materi, Fasilitas, dan kualitas kegiatan pendampingan bernilai ”baik”

INDUKSI BIAK KALUS DAN BIAK SUSPENSI SEL Aquilaria Malaccensis Lam. [Induction of Callus Culture and Cell Suspension Culture of Aquilaria Malaccensis Lam.]

Aquilaria malaccensis Lam. is a plant species producing fragrant woody material that contains some resin. The compounds can be used as medicine and perfume. Sesquiterpenoid, one group of compounds has been found being synthesized and subsequently extracted from callus and cell suspension culture of Aquilaria species. The aim of this research was to find a method of producing friable calli and cell suspension cultures from leaves or internodes of A. malaccensis in vitro by using suitable plant growth regulators; cell suspension that will suitably serve as material to produce sesquiterpenoid afterwards. Calli were established in almost all treatments of auxin-cytokinin on both leaves and internod explants. The treatment of 10 mg/L IBA induced the highest percentage of callus coverage from leaves with a rather compact structure. The combined treatment of 1–2 mg/L 2.4-D and 0.2–0.3 mg/L BA induced friable callus formation in more than 80% of cultures with 27–32% callus coverage percentage. The use of 2,4-D induced a better formation of cell suspension than Picloram, with maximum volume up to 7 mL. Cell suspension culture with fine and homogenous aggregate could be established in the medium supplemented with 0.5 –1 mg/L 2,4-D

Ethylene influences development and flowering of Ptilotus spp. in vitro and ex vitro

The genus Ptilotus has immense potential for ornamental horticulture but its commercial development has been hindered by propagation limitations. Poor seed quality and germination are reported. Cutting propagation is limited by cutting supply as the juvenile phase of Ptilotus is short. Micropropagation has been used in an attempt to overcome these difficulties but explants become floral in vitro and this causes plantlets to elongate. Ethephon has been used to control flowering of stock plants of many ornamental species. This study investigated the effect of ethephon applied to young (3-week-old, deflasked from tissue culture) and mature (1-year-old) Ptilotus plants in a greenhouse. A system of applying gaseous ethylene at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg l to the headspace of in vitro plantlets in glass jars was developed and the response of in vitro plantlets to ethylene studied. One-year-old Ptilotus plants were treated with 500 mg l ethephon 2 days before pruning or 1 or 2 weeks after pruning. Ethephon application 2 days before pruning decreased the number of inflorescences and increased the number of shoots (compared to the control) but was phytotoxic. Ethephon applications of 150 or 300 mg l applied weekly or fortnightly to 3-week-old plants deflasked from tissue culture reduced plant height and number of inflorescences and at low concentrations increased the number of new shoots. A fortnightly application at 150 mg l is recommended. Previous reports on the effects of ethylene on inflorescence production on plantlets in vitro are limited. Our study showed that exposure of in vitro plantlets of P. nobilis to ethylene gas at 100 mg l for 1 h significantly increased the number of shoots and plant height but this did not occur for plantlets of P. spicatus. Plantlets of P. spicatus exposed to transient ethylene at 200 and 300 mg l showed significantly greater rooting (52.4%) than the control (13.6%)