Journal La Lifesci

Quality Test of Drinks from Carica Papaya Tip with Addition of Artocarpus Heterophyllus L.

Dinda Diantiwi — 2024-08-09

Drinks from papaya seeds and jackfruit have the potential to become functional drinks with health benefits. This study aims to test the quality of drinks from papaya seeds with the addition of jackfruit in various comparisons. The research method used was pre-test and post-test experimental design by analyzing data descriptively using table results. The quality parameters tested include antimicrobial tests on Escherchia colli bacteria, Staphyllococcus aureus bacteria, Candida albicans fungus using the disc diffusion method (well diffusion), vitamin C content test using the volumetric method, color, aroma, taste, and consumer liking with organoleptic testing. The results showed that the addition of jackfruit significantly had antibacterial effectiveness, and had vitamin C levels in composition 1 (5 gr papaya seeds) with a result of 0.2804%, and in composition 2 (4 gr papaya seeds: 1 gr jackfruit) with a result of 0.1400%. The color of the drink becomes brighter with the addition of jackfruit. The aroma and taste of the drink also became better with the addition of jackfruit. Based on the results of the consumer favorability test, drinks with a ratio of papaya seeds and jackfruit in composition 2 are most favored by panelists. Drinks from papaya seeds with the addition of jackfruit have good quality and are favored by consumers. This drink has the potential to become a functional drink with health benefits.

Traditional Detection of Intestinal Helminths in Stray Cats in Wasit Province, Iraq

Ghasik Aqeele — 2024-08-13

The purpose of this study was to find out the prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasites namely helminths in stray cats in different areas of Wasit Province, Iraq with reference to zoonotic risks for improved public health intervention. The study included a survey of helminthes in the intestines of stray cats in several areas of Wasit province, to determine the extent of their spread among populations in the regions. Samples were collected from 96 stray cats distributed from several areas of the same province, 7 species of parasitic were observed, in the intestines and four species tapeworms. The highest observed was of Dipylidium caninum for 44.61% of cats stray infected with tapeworms. The other two species recorded nematodes as 46.51%, and 22.58% for Toxocara cains, and Toxascaris leonina respectively, note that T. cains infection is higher than the others; while, other species have been diagnosed with different rates 35.38%, 24.61%, 12.30%, and 27.90% for Taenia multiceps, Taenia ovis, Taenia pisiformis, and Ancylostoma sp., respectively. The infection rate in the northern regions of the province was higher in cats than in the southern regions of Wasit Province with nematodes and tapeworms. The extensive presence of stray cats across numerous Iraqi areas necessitates increased focus from relevant bodies, especially in public health and veterinary sectors, to mitigate associated risks and zoonotic concerns. Consequently, necessary to enhance the scope of studies and investigations concerning cats and their ailments, attributed to the proliferation of feline reproduction within communities and their interaction with stray felines.

Habitat Characteristic of Oryzias matanensis Aurich in Towuti Lake

Athira Rinandha Eragradini — 2024-08-16

Lake Towuti, one of the ancient lakes in Indonesia, is the second largest freshwater lake after Lake Toba. One of the endemic fish that live in Lake Towuti is the Matano Medaka fish (Oryzias matanensis Aurich, 1935). Due to land change, Lake Towuti's indicate is in threat of declining, which potentially have an impact on the endemic fish's habitat. The aim of this study is to identify the habitat characteristics of Lake Towuti. The data collected in this study includes temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and aquatic plants. Sampling was carried out in the morning, starting at 8:00 WITA and ending at 11:00 WITA at two different stations. Station selection was carried out based on differences in habitat, the presence of aquatic plants, and the presence of fish samples. Habitat characteristics at station one are marked by the number of water plants with the basic substrate types of sand, mud, and stones. In contrast, at station two, it is characterized by the absence of water plants and the basic substrate types of sand, rock, and gravel. Ecological aspects, including water physics and chemistry parameters, did not experience large fluctuations during the study period. The water conditions at each research station were not significantly different, so the water conditions were still good and supported the fish life in Lake Towuti.

Investigation of the Resistance of Klebsiella Bacteria to Antibiotics and the Synthesis of Virulence Factors Isolated from Various Pathogenic Infections

Farah Ali — 2024-08-16

The purpose of the study is to establish the level of antibiotic resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and to evaluate the production of virulence factors of the isolates originating from patients with diverse infections in Baghdad. In this study,75 clinical samples, including 32 samples of wounds, fifteen burn samples, 17 sputum samples and eleven samples of urine were collected from patients afflicted with different infections from some hospitals in Baghdad city, during the period from October to March 2023. It was found that 22 of the isolates were of Klebsiella pneumonia isolates after culturing the clinical samples on MacConkey agar, blood agar, and Eosin methylene blue medium, in addition to studying the morphologic appearance, biochemical tests, and confirmation of diagnosis using the VITEKA2 system. The antibiotic sensitivity test showed that all isolates showed (100%) multi-drug resistance to 7 antibiotics including Cefotaxime, Ampicillin, Chloramphenicol, Gentamicin, Rifampicin, while most of the isolates were sensitive to Azithromycin. The investigation of certain virulence factors of the Klebsiella pneumonia bacteria revealed that all of the isolates were encased in a capsule and were incapable of producing the hemolysin enzyme, but they were all able to produce the urease enzyme and form biofilm. The isolates produced bacteriocin at a rate of 12%.

Role of NPK Fertilizer and Planting Ates on the Vegetative and Flowering Growth Tributes of Two Varieties of Snake Melon

Khaled Mustafa Ali Al-Sharabi — 2024-08-22

The purpose of this research was to determine the response of two varieties of snake melon to the levels of NPK fertilizer and planting dates in terms of vegetative and flowering growth characters. The experiment was conducted in the vegetable field of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering/College of Agriculture and Forestry University of Mosul during the spring season 2023. The study included three factors. The first factor: Two local cucumber varieties: (gennxt and Mosli). The second factor was compound fertilizer (NPK) at four levels (270, 180, 90.0 kg/ha!) and the third factor: planting dates. Two planting dates were chosen: (4/1/2023) and (4/20/2023). Compound fertilizer (NPK) was added to the soil in three stages, the first three weeks after planting and after the plants reached the appropriate size (four true leaves), and the second and third at an interval of 20 days between one stage and the next. Thus, the experiment included 18 treatments (2 x 2 x 4 = 16). With three replications, the experiment was carried out in the field using a factorial experiment according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD), where the treatments were randomly distributed according to the design used in the experiment. The results were analyzed statistically according to the design used, and the means were compared according to Duncan's multinomial test at the probability level of 0.05.

Production, Marketing and Future Prospects of Mandarin in Nepal

Anmol Regmi — 2024-08-22

Citrus reticulata is a vital fruit crop in Nepal, where its demand is very high and has been produced as the main source of income in the hilly region. Nepal offers suitable topography, climate and soil for the profitable production of mandarins with great taste, precocity and high nutritive values. This study attempts to analyze the production trend, export and import, current scenario and prospects of mandarin in Nepal. The study employed a comprehensive review and synthesis of secondary data, including statistical records, publications from relevant organizations, and academic literature from 2001 to 2023, to analyze the production, marketing status, and prospects of mandarin in Nepal. The findings of the study shows that the production of mandarin is in increasing trend with an average annual growth rate of 7.04% from fiscal year 2019/20 to 2020/21 and cultivating area by 33.84 % from fiscal year 2019/20 to 2021/22. The study emphasizes the economic value of mandarins, especially in the mid-hill’s region, as well as their health advantages because of their fiber and antioxidant content. The yield of mandarin has decreased because of several issues, such as high investment costs, lack of adoption of improved technology, poor orchard management, diseases and pests, unstable prices and profit margins along with inappropriate market channels. Therefore, to strengthen this subsector, it is advised to focus on developing mandarin productivity through conventional mechanization, better adoption of technology, price intervention, market recognition, HLB management, establishment of storage and processing centers, and diplomatic relations for easy international marketing.

Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Chosen Genotype of Robusta Coffee from Curahpoh Village Bondowoso East Java

Susan Barbara Patricia Sembiring Meliala — 2024-08-22

The identity of coffee is significant for consumers mostly in relation to the characteristics of the end result product taste and quality. Robusta coffee varieties are widely grown by farmers in Bondowoso Regency in east Java, Indonesia using planting materials of unknown origin. The objective of this work was to identify the physical and chemical occurrence of Robusta cherries harvested from seven chosen genotypes grown in Curahpoh Village, Bondowoso. Samples of Robusta coffee cherries of seven selected genotype plants were harvested from Curahpoh Village, Bondowoso at three levels of maturity. Some physical and chemical factors were assessed as follows: sphericity, bean density, weight per bean, moisture content, total dissolved solids, to elicit differences in the genotypes. Analyzing the results obtained, the authors pointed to rather serious differences in these characteristics between various genotypes. The sphericity of fresh coffee fruits ranged from 0.82 to 0.93, with average density values between 1.00 and 1.11 g/cm³. The moisture content of green beans varied widely from 4.46% to 22.79%, while total dissolved solids ranged from 2.67% to 5.27%. These studies suggest the possibilities of genotypes selection in order to produce a superior genotype that would improve the quality as well as the marketability of Bondowoso Robusta coffee. These data contribute to the enhancement of the current agricultural practices, and the proposal of new varieties of coffee adapted to the specifics of their environment.

Land Use Change and Carbon Stocks in the Toari Watershed

Kahirun Kahirun — 2024-08-22

Changes in land use are linked to climate change, resulting in the loss of carbon reserves due to decrease in vegetated land. Forests play crucial role in carbon storage. This research aims to determine carbon storage in the Toari Watershed, Southeast Sulawesi, in response to land use changes. The method uses GIS analysis to track changes in land use from 1991 to 2023, employing the SRTM Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for delineation. Carbon storage is calculated by multiplying the area of each land use by its respective carbon content value. The results of this research show that there have been significant land changes occurring from 1991 to 2023. Forest land is the land use with the most extensive changes, experiencing decrease in area of 7,181.20 hectares. This was also followed by increased mixed dryland farming use by 5,579.23 hectares, plantations by 1,994.28 hectares, residential land by 353.13 hectares, and open land by 640.85 hectares. From 1991 to 2023, land use changes had big impact on carbon stocks in the Toari Watershed. The largest decrease occurred in secondary dryland forests, leading to reduction of 741,530.7 tons C. Conversely, mixed agricultural land and plantations saw increases of 167,376.90 tons C and 125,639.60 tons C, respectively. Open land and residential areas also registered increases in carbon stocks. These findings highlight the influence of land use on carbon stock changes. The carbon stocks in the Toari Watershed decreased from 1,142,112.3 tons C in 1991 to 728,627.9 tons C in 2023 due to changes in land use.