Do Altitude Influence the Characterization of Dryopteris hirtipes (Bl.) Kuntze Biomedicinal Profile? A Study of Fascinating Fern from Baluran National Park and Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park

Abstract

Secondary metabolites of fern are increasingly recognized as medicine ingredient. The total of secondary metabolites in plants may form maximally related to the altitude, environment, nutrient, biotic and abiotic stresses. Dryopteris hirtipes (Bl.) Kuntze is easily found in Baluran National Park and Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park. This study aimed to investigate the differences between secondary metabolites of Dryopteris hirtipes (Bl.) Kuntze from Baluran National Park and Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park. The samples were taken from Baluran National Park which has a height of 0-1000 masl, with a rainfall intensity about 2000-4000 mm per year, and Raden Soerjo Forest Park which has an altitude of 1000-3000 masl, with rainfall intensity 1488 mm per year. The research was conducted by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) method. Samples of Dryopteris hirtipes’ rhizome and fronds were made as powder then extracted using methanol (1:10). Methanol leaf extract subsequently tested by TLC test. Both of Dryopteris hirtipes (Bl.) Kuntze from Baluran National Park and Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park have similarity chemical content of secondary metabolites such as alkaloid, terpenoid-saponin, tannin, but polyphenols only found from Baluran National Park, and flavonoids only found from Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park.