3BIO: Journal of Biological Science, Technology and Management

Effectiveness and Public Perception of Synthetic and Natural-Based Mosquito Repellents Against Aedes aegypti in Indonesia

2024-05-22T13:53:47+07:00

Since 1968, dengue fever cases in Indonesia have persisted despite various vector control efforts. One of the most common and accessible methods of personal protection is the use of mosquito repellents. This study evaluated public perceptions of mosquitoes and repellents, their willingness to pay (WTP) for these products, and the efficacy of synthetic and natural-based repellents against Aedes aegypti, considering variations in mosquito strain and age. A Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) analysis was conducted to assess public understanding and behaviors, utilizing the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and SWOT-AHP. Repellent efficacy was tested using the arm-in-cage method based on WHO guidelines, involving four mosquito strains (BORA, BDG, TSK, TGR) and three age groups (5, 10, 15 days). The KAP analysis revealed high public awareness but limited translation into effective practices due to differing perceptions and low personal responsibility for dengue prevention. Natural-based repellents were preferred, scoring 3.40 out of 5, with WTP ranging from IDR 20,000–40,000. However, only synthetic repellents containing DEET provided 90% protection for six hours, while natural-based repellents offered less than 60% protection in the first hour. Strain variation significantly affected repellency, with TSK showing the highest repellency, while BORA and BDG exhibited similar trends. Although 10-day-old mosquitoes were more sensitive to repellents, age variation did not consistently influence repellency. These findings highlight the need for improved education campaigns, tailored repellent formulations, and localized testing to enhance public protection against mosquito bites and dengue transmission.

Melon Waste Ecoenzyme: An Eco-friendly Liquid Organic Fertilizer for Vegetative Growth of Melon (Cucumis melo L. var. Merlin)

2025-02-06T15:41:03+07:00

The utilization of melon plant waste, such as fruit peels, leaves, and stems, can be done by processing it into eco-enzyme, which is then used as liquid organic fertilizer. This study aims to assess the effect of eco-enzyme on the vegetative growth of melon plants. The randomized block design (RBD) method was used with seven treatments and four replications, including P0 (negative control), P1 (10 mL/L), P2 (20 mL/L), P3 (30 mL/L), P4 (40 mL/L), P5 (50 mL/L), and P6 (positive control). Observations were made every 7 days for 30 days, with parameters including plant height, leaf area, number of leaves, plant fresh weight, and root fresh weight. Data analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA and Duncan’s test. The results showed that treatment P5 (50 mL/L) produced the best results with a plant height of 36.68 cm, leaf area of 137.33 cm², 11.56 leaves, plant fresh weight of 67.1 g, and root fresh weight of 2.24 g. These results were not significantly different from the positive control (P6). Thus, eco-enzyme had a significant effect on the vegetative growth of melon plants.

Analysis of Quercetin from Allium cepa L. Skin Waste in Inhibiting α-Amylase: An Alternate Therapeutic Drug to Treat Diabetes

2025-03-24T10:26:34+07:00

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by an increase in blood sugar due to insulin resistance as well as the decline of insulin production by the pancreas. Quercetin is a flavonoid secondary metabolite that could be utilized as an α-amylase inhibitor and can potentially be used as a therapeutic drug in type 2 diabetes treatment by inhibiting starch hydrolysis in the human body. This research aims to determine the quercetin yield of Allium cepa L. skin waste, evaluate the α-amylase inhibitory properties of the extracted quercetin, and delve into the molecular mechanism of α-amylase inhibition by quercetin. Methods that were used in this research consisted of sample collection and preparation, quercetin extraction, testing for quercetin content in extract by spectrophotometry and HPLC, as well as testing for α-amylase inhibition by quercetin. Quercetin extraction produced 1.52 g of dry extract, yielding 16.8 mg of extract per g of dry shallot skin. Spectrophotometric analysis yielded 3.37 mg of quercetin per gram of dried shallot skin, while HPLC yielded 3.99 mg/g. The shallot skin extract inhibited α-amylase with an IC₅₀ of 348.2 µg/mL. In comparison, acarbose had a more potent inhibitory effect, with an IC₅₀ of 237.4 µg/mL. Quercetin inhibits α-amylase by forming hydrogen bonds with the active sites of the enzyme (Asp197, Glu233, and Asp300).

Characterization of Pathogenic Bacteria Causing Bacterial Wilt Disease of Kepok Banana in Manokwari, West Papua

2025-03-19T11:19:26+07:00

Kepok bananas, including their processed derivatives, serve as a vital alternative staple food alongside rice and contribute significantly to food security, particularly in the Manokwari region. Maintaining the health of banana plants is essential for preserving global food diversity. Ensuring their sustainable availability is crucial; however, this is increasingly threatened by the emergence of banana diseases. The rapid spread of banana diseases was first reported in 2018 in the SP IV Bowi Subur area of Masni District, and by 2019, similar cases were documented in the Anday area of South Manokwari District. This study aims to isolate and identify the pathogenic bacteria responsible for banana diseases in Kepok bananas from the Anday region of South Manokwari, using morphological and biochemical characterization. The macroscopic characteristics of the four isolates revealed a circular shape with entire margins, a convex surface, and a maroon coloration when cultured on CPG medium. Gram-staining analysis indicated that the bacterial cells were gram-negative and exhibited a short bacillus morphology. Isolation from samples collected from the banana rhizosphere, pseudostems, and fruits yielded four distinct isolates, designated as AR1, APS1, AR2, and ABF2. Based on nitrate reduction and gelatin hydrolysis tests, isolates AR1, AR2, and ABF2 were identified as belonging to the Blood Disease Bacterium (BDB), specifically Ralstonia syzygii phylotype IV (Indonesia), which has undergone taxonomic reclassification as Ralstonia syzygii subsp. celebesensis. This disease can result in crop losses exceeding 50% when it spreads within a consortium. In contrast, the APS1 isolate could not be conclusively identified as either R. syzygii subsp. celebesensis or R. solanacearum.

Optimization of PCR Primers for Detection of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Targeting CTX-M and TEM Genes

2025-03-17T11:47:13+07:00

Extended-Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) is an enzyme that inhibit the activity of third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics. CTX-M and TEM are the genes encoding the ESBLs. The horizontal spread of these gene from one bacteria to another leads to increased bacterial resistance. Molecular-based bacterial identification methods such as Polymer Chain Reaction are methods that are currently used because they provide faster and more specific results. Therefore, in this study, a method for identifying bacteria that produce ESBL was created by targeting CTX-M and TEM genes. In this study, two pairs of primers were designed using in silico method, then the characteristics of the primers were analyzed. The primer annealing temperature was optimized using 55 and 60^oC temperatures. The results of the in silico analysis showed that both pairs of primers met the ideal characteristics of a primer, as the Tm, %GC content, and secondary product values fulfilled the required criteria. Meanwhile, the results of the primer annealing temperature optimization indicated that the optimal temperature for the PCR method using both primers was 60°C.