Lamhot Parulian Manalu

Background. Ginger is a horticultural commodity and a biopharmaceutical crop with many benefits and high economic value. Ginger is widely used as a raw material in the functional food, cosmetics, and herbal pharmaceutical industries. Water content is a critical parameter affecting the quality, storage stability, and activity of bioactive compounds in ginger rhizomes. Purpose. This study aims to develop a calibration model to predict ginger rhizome moisture content using near-infrared spectroscopy and chemometric modeling for fresh, dried, and fresh-dried ginger. Materials and methods. This study used three varieties of ginger, i.e., merah ginger, emprit ginger, and gajah ginger, obtained from the Beringharjo market in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Two moisture-content conditions were applied: fresh ginger obtained directly from the market and dried ginger after two weeks of storage at room temperature (28°C) with a relative humidity of 76.1%. The spectroscopic instrument used in this study was a NIR spectrometer (Flame-NIR-Ocean Optics, USA) operating over the wavelength range of 950–1700 nm. The reflectance spectra of three varieties of ginger rhizomes, i.e., emprit, gajah, and merah, were measured at wavelengths of 950–1700 nm, with reference water content values measured using the thermogravimetric method. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) model was used to predict the moisture content of dried and fresh ginger, as well as a combination of fresh and dried ginger. Results. The dried ginger model showed the highest prediction accuracy (R²P = 0.75; RPD = 2.00). The key wavelength contributing to water content prediction was identified in the 1400–1500 nm region, corresponding to the first overtone of O–H stretching vibrations. These results indicate that near-infrared spectroscopy can be used for fast and non-destructive prediction of water content in ginger rhizomes.

Context: Oxidative stress contributes to hepatic fibrosis by promoting hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition. Uncaria gambir (Hunter) Roxb. (UG) contains catechin-rich polyphenols with antioxidant potential, but its effect on matrix-remodeling markers in liver fibrosis requires further clarification. Aims: To evaluate the hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects of an ethanolic extract of U. gambir wilted leaf (EDW) material in a CCl₄-induced rat model of liver fibrosis. Methods: The extract was prepared from dried wilted leaf material using ethanol. Total phenolic and catechin contents were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu assay and HPLC, respectively. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned to normal control, CCl₄ control, comparator, and EDW-treated groups. EDW was administered at 65, 131, or 262 mg/kg BW. Serum liver biomarkers, hepatic MDA, histopathological changes, fibrosis area, pseudolobule formation, steatosis area, TIMP-1 expression, and type I collagen deposition were evaluated. Results: CCl₄ administration increased serum liver biomarkers and hepatic MDA and caused marked histological liver injury. EDW treatment reduced hepatic MDA and improved histological architecture. The highest EDW dose was associated with reduced serum bilirubin, fibrosis area, pseudolobule number, steatosis area, TIMP-1 immunoreactivity, and type I collagen deposition compared with the CCl₄ control. Conclusions: EDW was associated with hepatoprotective and antifibrotic effects in CCl₄-treated rats, possibly through attenuation of oxidative stress and reduced extracellular matrix accumulation. Direct measurement of MMP activity and fibrogenic signaling is required to confirm modulation of the MMP–TIMP axis.

Sungkai (Peronema canescens Jack) leaves are traditionally used in Southeast Asian medicine and are enriched in bioactive compounds having antioxidant activity, which may help mitigate oxidative stress-related disorders. Preservation of such compounds during post-harvest processing is essential to maintain their functional potential for disease prevention. However, the influence of drying temperature on the quality of Sungkai leaf simplicia－dried plant material used for medicinal purposes－has not been systematically evaluated. This study investigated the effects of various drying temperatures: ambient, 40°C, 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C－on the physicochemical properties, phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, color stability, microstructure, and metabolite profile. Drying at 40°C effectively preserved total flavonoid and phenolic contents, antioxidant activity, chlorophyll retention, and metabolite diversity while significantly reducing duration compared with ambient drying. In contrast, temperatures ≥50°C accelerated demoisturization and caused a substantial degradation of phytochemicals, enhanced browning, structural collapse, and reduced antioxidant capacity. Multivariate analysis confirmed drying temperature as the primary determinant of Sungkai leaf quality. These findings demonstrate that moderate temperatures optimize the processing efficiency-bioactive preservation balance, providing scientific guidance for standardizing the processing of Sungkai leaves as a functional herbal ingredient for preventive nutrition applications.

Kapsul lunak merupakan bentuk sediaan oral yang banyak digunakan, namun ketergantungan pada gelatin telah menimbulkan kekhawatiran akan keamanan, agama, dan etika, yang mendorong kebutuhan akan alternatif berbasis tumbuhan. Pati, polisakarida yang dapat terurai secara hayati dan terbarukan, merupakan kandidat yang menjanjikan, tetapi memiliki kelarutan yang buruk, retrogradasi, dan ketidakstabilan dalam kondisi asam atau termal. Modifikasi kimia, khususnya hidroksipropilasi, telah digunakan untuk mengatasi kelemahan ini, sementara iota karagenan menawarkan manfaat tambahan sebagai agen pembentuk gel yang meningkatkan elastisitas dan stabilitas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan sifat fungsional dan termal terbaik pati termodifikasi hidroksipropil yang berasal dari singkong, sagu, jagung, dan kentang, serta mengkaji potensinya sebagai aplikasi kapsul lunak. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan mengkarakterisasi berbagai modifikasi pati hidroksipropil dan menentukan karakterisasi pati termodifikasi sesuai persyaratan bahan baku cangkang kapsul lunak dengan pendekatan metode Zeleny. Parameter analisis yang dilakukan meliputi derajat substitusi, kapasitas menahan air, kapasitas menahan minyak, daya mengembang, kelarutan, sifat perekatan, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscope, fourier transform infra red, iota karagenan, dan rapid visco analyzer. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa hidroksipropil singkong memiliki kekuatan mekanis yang terpilih, dengan nilai DS 0,104, WHC 4,21%, OHC 5,43%, sweling 24,23%, dan kelarutan 21,54%. Hidroksipropilasi meningkatkan kelarutan, ketahanan termal, dan retensi air, dengan pati singkong menunjukkan tingkat substitusi tertinggi dan kemampuan pembentukan film yang baik. Lebih lanjut, penggabungan iota karagenan ke dalam pati singkong hidroksipropil menghasilkan film komposit homogen dengan kekuatan dan stabilitas mekanis yang lebih baik. Temuan ini menyoroti potensi sinergis pati hidroksipropil dan iota karagenan, menawarkan dasar ilmiah untuk pengembangan cangkang kapsul lunak berbasis tumbuhan yang berkelanjutan sebagai alternatif yang layak menggantikan gelatin.

Kalanchoe species is a plant that contains secondary metabolites that are beneficial for human health. However, the systematics of species in the genus Kalanchoe are often debated because these plants have many variations that easily cross between species and can reproduce asexually with adventitious buds. Previous studies have revealed that Kalanchoe ceratophylla Haw. is often misidentified as Kalanchoe laciniata . Therefore, the reidentification of K. ceratophylla (Crassulaceae) as the correct identity of sidingin, a medicinal plant widely used in Sumatra, challenges the prior identification of the species as K. laciniata . This study is aimed at determining the true identity of sidingin, a medicinal plant locally used in Sumatra, Indonesia, and traditionally recognized as K. laciniata . Specimens of sidingin were collected from Sumatra and analyzed using morphological and molecular approaches to clarify its taxonomic classification. The morphological analysis revealed that sidingin exhibits pinnately lobed leaves and other distinct characteristics, which prompted comparison with documented descriptions of Kalanchoe species. Molecular analysis, accomplished through ITS sequencing, indicated a 94.60% identity match with Kalanchoe miteja , supporting the morphological findings. The resulting phylogenetic tree positioned sidingin within the same clade as commercially available samples of K. ceratophylla , suggesting a potential reclassification of sidingin as K. ceratophylla . This study provides new insights into the distribution of Kalanchoe species in Sumatra, documenting it as a new record only recently discovered in this region. Furthermore, through integrating morphological and molecular evidence, this study confirms that sidingin is K. ceratophylla .

Star fruit is commonly cultivated in tropical regions, particularly in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. This tropical fruit is known for its numerous beneficial nutrients and medicinal properties. However, star fruit is prone to damage and can rot quickly during storage. While several studies have explored the use of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) for storing star fruit. However, a comprehensive study determining the optimal temperature, packaging, and atmospheric composition for storing star fruit is still limited. This study aims to design MAP for the storage of star fruit. The investigation focuses on how MAP affects changes in fruit quality during storage and how it can extend the shelf life of star fruit over a period of 40 days. The findings indicate that the senescence of star fruit is delayed when the fruit is packaged in polypropylene (PP) with a modified atmosphere consisting of 3% oxygen and 5%–7% carbon dioxide, all stored at 10°C and relative humidity (RH) of 80 ± 5%. This MAP treatment effectively reduces respiration rates and weight loss while preserving the fruit’s firmness. The ideal plastic film for MAP at 10°C is PP, with a thickness of 0.039 mm and an average packaging surface area of 259 cm². Each package contains one star fruit, averaging 281 g in weight. The combination of MAP and storage at 10°C significantly enhances the quality of star fruit and can extend its postharvest life by up to 40 days.

Hyper cholesterol and oxidative stress are major risk factors for the onset of cardiovascular diseases. The T. merguensis has been stated to comprise a superior antioxidant substance that could stipulate beneficial advantages, and traditionally applied as herbal medicine for hyper cholesterols. The aim of the study was to evaluate of decoction leaf extracts from T. merguensis for their cholesterol reduction effect in vitro, anti-microbial activity, antioxidant activity, flavonoids and total phenolics contents and its metabolite composition. The test results show that the water decoction extracts have a high value of total phenolic content, and flavonoids. Metabolome analysis and chemical profiling by using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectroscopy (LC-HRMS) leads to 30 compounds are identified in the extracts. The compounds contained in the extracts are non-flavonoid polyphenols, including 18 compounds (66.75%), followed by flavonoid polyphenols (4 compounds/17.20%), alkaloids (3 compounds/5.77%), and terpenes (1 compound/5.54%), and one protein recombinant (NP-003141/4.74%).The major compounds are recognized as quinic acid, 1,6-bis-O-(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoyl) hexopyranose, myricitrin, citric acid, (-)-Caryophyllene oxide, NP-003141, myricetin, 2-Amino-1,3,4-octadecanetriol, ellagic acid, and sedanolide. The decoction leaf extracts show robust antioxidant activity in DPPH assays, with IC50 values of 15.64 µg/g. It also shows appreciable ferric-reducing activity and ABTS antioxidant capacity of 118.9 mM Fe (II)/mg and 7463.3 mM TE/

This research aimed to determine the optimum combination of aloe vera and Java spices’ herbal drink formulations. A Design Expert mixture D-optimal was used to analyze the optimal composite formulation. The optimum formula is determined through four stages, namely, the formula planning, formulation, analysis, and optimization stages. The selected formulation was determined based on the response to phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity tests, and pH. The formulations had pH values ranging from 4.452 to 4.636, the antioxidant capacity values ranged from 2.4796 to 12.5697 mg Ek vit C/100 g, the total phenolic content ranged from 0.0871 to 0.1883 mg GAE/g, and the total flavonoid content ranged from 0.1451 to 0.4210 mg QE/g. The most optimum response is obtained when the desirability value is close to one. The optimum formulation for aloe vera and Java spices herbal drinks consisted of 52.92% aloe vera, 11.58% ginger extract, 1.50% white turmeric extract, and 2.00% galangal extract. The formulation under investigation exhibits a pH of 4.502, an antioxidant capacity of 7.4638 mg ascorbic acid equivalent per 100 g, a total phenolic content of 0.1314 mg GAE/g, and a total flavonoid content of 0.3315 mg QE/g.

There is a continued need for the advancement of natural emulsifiers to replace synthetic emulsifiers, driven by human health concerns. This study is aimed at producing protein-polysaccharide conjugates through the Maillard reaction and at evaluating its ability as an emulsifier based on its emulsifying properties. The proteins used in this study were bovine milk whey protein and soy protein isolates, while the polysaccharides were maltodextrin and pectin. The protein-polysaccharide conjugation used a Maillard reaction under dry heating conditions. The protein and polysaccharide mass ratios were 1 : 2 and 1 : 3. The results showed that the types of proteins and polysaccharides and their mass affect the surface tension of the conjugate products. Whey protein-pectin conjugates with a mass ratio of 1 : 2 and a concentration of 1% had the lowest surface tension at 43.77 dyne/cm². This conjugate sample also showed the highest emulsifying index at 27.20 m²/g. The conjugate powder containing pectin as a polysaccharide showed better emulsifying activity than that of those containing maltodextrin. However, the smallest droplet size of the emulsion (256.5 nm) resulted from the emulsification process using whey protein-maltodextrin conjugates as an emulsifier. The FTIR and gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis confirmed the conjugation formation. In general, protein-polysaccharide conjugates containing whey protein could potentially act as a natural emulsifier for food.