Alstonia Pneumatophora Research Articles

Revegetation of Tropical Peat Swamp Forest of Former Fires Using Local Tree Species in South Sumatra (Indonesia)

Revegetation of tropical peat swamp forests (PSF) from former fires with local tree species has strategic value for the recovery of PSF, which has been largely lost and severely degraded by logging, conversion, drainage, and repetitive fires. The PSF recovery will be followed by increased forest cover, CO2 sequestration, O2 production, and peat ecosystem biodiversity. The method of revegetation that guarantees successful planting is still very lacking and has not been widely publicized. The study aimed to analyze the growth of revegetated plants on PSF of former fires. It used a field experiment design with four types of local peat plants, namely ramin (Gonystylus bancanus), punak (Tetramerista glabra), tembesu (Fragraea fragrans), and pulai (Alstonia pneumatophora). The results of the study showed that until the age of 2 years, the survival rate of revegetated plants ranged from 92.56%–94.69%, with growth of 32.53–44.94 cm/year and diameter growth of 0.87–1.21 cm/year. The growth of revegetated plants still accelerated in observations until the age of 3 years. This study provides optimism that PSF revegetation degraded by the fires could be carried out with satisfactory results.

Penerapan Teknologi Tepat Guna Paludikultur Endemik Lokal pada Kelompok Tani Tunas Jaya

Penerapan Teknologi Tepat Guna Paludikultur Endemik Lokal pada Kelompok Tani Tunas Jaya

Identification of Apis dorsata Bee Nesting Plants in Natural Forest of Lalang Village Sanggau Regency

Apis dorsata is known as a forest bee that is very productive in producing honey. These bees can make nest combs only by relying on tree branches or branches. This study aims to identify the type of plant where Apis dorsata nests in the natural forest of Lalang Village, Meliau District, Sanggau Regency. This research was conducted using a survey method through interviews with respondents and site surveys to identify and measure tree height, tree diameter, and branch-free stems of the plant species where Apis dorsata bees nest. The data obtained is further analyzed and the results are presented in the form of tables and graphs. The results of our study found that there were 16 species of plants belonging to 8 families as Apis dorsata beehives. The family and names of these plants are Dipterocarpaceae (Anisoptera marginata, Shorea laevis, Dryobalanops lavevis, Dryobalanops beccarii, Anisoptera megistocarpa, Shorea parvifolia, Shorea leprosula), Fabaceae (Inga sp, Millettia borneensis, Koompassia sp, Koompassia excelsa), Apocaceae (Alstonia pneumatophora), Datiscaceae (Octomeles sumatrana), Lauraceae (Litsea sp), Malvaceae (Pterocymbium tubulatum), and Moraceae (Artocarpus sp). The dominant family is Dipterocarpaceae. The total height of Apis dorsata honeycomb trees is the most dominant (75%) in Lalang Village ranging from ±65-90 m, 10 species of sympodial branching (62.5%), and 68.75% of the trunk diameter found ranged from 50-159 cm.

Choices of crops on establishing of agroforestry plot in peatland in Rasau Jaya Dua Village, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Information about the choices of crops is essential to understand what is the community’s preferences and consideration to understand the existence of crops on their community land. The research aimed to find out farmers’ preferences and choices of crops on establishing an agroforestry plot in the peatland area. The research was conducted in Rasau Jaya Dua Village, Kubu Raya District, from August to November 2017. The primary data on this research were the community’s socioeconomic condition and their preference for crops. Data on socioeconomic conditions were collected through in-depth interviews with 46 respondents. Data in choices of crops were collected through the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method using the ranking matrix of 20 farmers group members who involved in the development of the agroforestry plot on peatlands. The result showed that farmer has a preference of crops for their agroforestry plots on peatland. Corn is the most favorite crop to be planted on agroforestry plots. Corn is easy to grow, has a stable selling price, and has a short harvesting period (4 months). Meanwhile, for perennial tree crops, pulai (Alstonia pneumatophora), jelutung rawa (Dyera polyphylla), and gerunggang (Cratoxylum glaucum Korth) were the most favorite choices. Those trees have initially been grown on peatland, but the planting stocks were challenging to be found, and they need a more extended period to be harvested.

Phytocemical compounds of different species of Alstonia sp. from Palembang- South Sumatera

Alstonia sp is one of Indonesia tropical forest plant widely used for various benefits such as wood used for furniture, blackboards, wooden sandals, while barks and leaves used for traditional medicine for various diseases. Phytochemical content is influenced by various factors including species, age, and geographical location. This study aimed to identify phytochemical compounds of Alstonia sp. from various species, namely Alstonia scholaris, Alstonia pneumatophora, and Alstonia angustiloba from Palembang South Sumatera. Phytochemical analyzed flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, steroids, and triterpenoids qualitatively. The result showed that all Alstonia sp. contained flavonoid and steroid compounds. Alkaloids and tannins were only detected in Alstonia Scholaris. Saponins were detected in Alstonia scholaris and Alstonia pneumatophora. Phytochemical content in Alstonia indicated that they had potency to be utilized as a source of medicinal plants. Alstonia sp. with the same genus but different species had different phytochemical content.

Molecular phylogeny of trees species in Tripa Peat Swamp Forest, Aceh, Indonesia inferred by 5.8S nuclear gen

Authors. 2018. Molecular phylogeny of trees species in Tripa Peat Swamp Forest, Aceh, Indonesia inferred by 5.8S nuclear gen. Biodiversitas 19: 1186-1193. Tripa peat swamp forest is protected areas that have high biodiversity. Nevertheless, in some areas, the damage occurred due to conversions of land function to oil palm plantations. The impact of conversions of peat swamp forest to oil palm plantations has led to biodiversity decreased. Hence, it is important to identify the remain tree species in Tripa peat swamp forest. This study aimed to determinetrees species diversity in Tripa peat swamp forest by using of 5.8S rRNA nuclear gene. Research was conducted at Forest Genetics and Molecular Forestry Laboratory, Faculty of Forestry, IPB from September 2015 to August 2016. Molecular identification consisted of DNA extraction, PCR analysis, and sequencing. The data were analyzed using Bioedit, MEGA 6, BLAST, and ITS2 database. Molecular identification using ITS 1 and ITS 4 primer successfully amplified (the ITS region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of 16 trees species from 9 families. BLAST analysis results indicate the presence of 16 species has similar bases sequence with the GeneBank DNA database. The plant species are Branckenridgea palustris (Ochnaceae), Gonystylus sp. (Thymelaeaceae), Tristaniopsis whiteana (Myrtaceae), Syzygium sp.1 (Myrtaceae), Macaranga triloba (Euphorbiaceae), Syzygium garciniifolium (Myrtaceae), Knema intermedia (Myristicaceae), Palaquium ridleyi (Sapotaceae), Palaquium sp. (Sapotaceae), Dyera lowii (Apocynaceae), Elaeocarpus petiolatus (Elaeocarpaceae), Ficus sp. (Moraceae), Syzygium leptostemon (Myrtaceae), Chilocarpus suaveolens (Apocynaceae), Alstonia pneumatophora (Apocynaceae), and Alstonia sp. (Apocynaceae). Phylogeny tree reconstruction using the Neighbor-Joining Method (NJ) showed that 5.8S rRNA nuclear gene was successful as marker for 16 trees species from 9 different families. In addition, the 5.8S also successful for resolving phylogenetic relationships at genus level i.e. Alstonia, Palaquium, Syzygium, Tristaniopsis, Macaranga, Elaeocarpus, and Ficus.

Biologically active vallesamine, strychnan, and rhazinilam alkaloids from Alstonia: Pneumatophorine, a nor-secovallesamine with unusual incorporation of a 3-ethylpyridine moiety

Four alkaloids comprising two vallesamine, one strychnan, and one pyranopyridine alkaloid, in addition to 32 other known alkaloids were isolated from two Malayan Alstonia species, Alstonia pneumatophora and Alstonia rostrata. The structures of these alkaloids were determined using NMR and MS analyses, and in one instance, confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The nor-6,7-secovallesamine alkaloid, pneumatophorine, is notable for an unusual incorporation of a 3-ethylpyridine moiety in a monoterpenoid indole. The rhazinilam-type alkaloids (rhazinicine, nor-rhazinicine, rhazinal, and rhazinilam) showed strong cytotoxicity toward human KB, HCT-116, MDA-MB-231, and MRC-5 cells, while pneumatophorine, the uleine alkaloid undulifoline, and the strychnan alkaloids, N4-demethylalstogustine and echitamidine, induced concentration dependent relaxation in phenylephrine-precontracted rat aortic rings.

Dimensional stability and water repellent efficiency measurement of chemically modified tropical light hardwood

Chemical modification is an often-followed route to improve physical and mechanical properties of solid wood materials. In this study five kinds of tropical light hardwoods species, namely jelutong (Dyera costulata), terbulan(Endospermum diadenum), batai (Paraserianthes moluccana), rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), and pulai (Alstonia pneumatophora), were chemically modified with benzene diazonium salt to improve their dimensional stability and water repellent efficiency. The dimensional stability of treated samples in terms of volumetric swelling coefficient (S) and anti-swelling-efficiency (ASE) were found to improve with treatment. The water repellent efficiency (WRE) values also seemed to improve considerably with treatment of wood samples. Furthermore, treated wood samples had lower water and moisture absorption compared to that of untreated ones.

The effect of alkali pretreatment on mechanical and morphological properties of tropical wood polymer composites

In this study, mechanical and morphological properties of wood polymer composites (WPCs) from five kinds of selected tropical light hardwoods namely Jelutong ( Dyera costulata) , Terbulan ( Endospermum diadenum), Batai ( Paraserianthes moluccana) , Rubberwood ( Hevea brasiliensis), and Pulai ( Alstonia pneumatophora) were investigated. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) and styrene (ST) vinyl monomer mixture (50:50; volume:volume) was used in preparation of WPCs. Before being impregnated with an MMA/ST monomer mixture, wood species were chemically pretreated with 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution for the reduction of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups and impurities from the cellulose fibre in wood and to increased adhesion and compatibility of wood fibre to polymer matrix. Monomer mixture (MMA/ST) was impregnated into raw wood and NaOH pretreated wood specimens to manufacture wood polymer composite (WPC) and pretreated wood polymer composite (PWPC). Mechanical tests and microstructural analysis were conducted. Comparison has been made among the properties of raw wood, WPC and PWPC. The result reveals that PWPC yielded better mechanical and morphological properties compared to WPC and raw wood.

Dynamic Young’s modulus, morphological, and thermal stability of 5 tropical light hardwoods modified by benzene diazonium salt treatment

In this study the tropical light hardwood species jelutong (Dyera costulata), terbulan(Endospermum diadenum), batai (Paraserianthes moluccana), rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), and pulai (Alstonia pneumatophora) were treated with benzene diazonium salt to improve their dynamic Young’s modulus (Ed), and thermal stability. Benzine diazonium salt reacted with cellulose in wood and produced 2,6-diazocellulose by a coupling reaction, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Values of Ed were calculated from the free-free flexural vibration method and found to increase on treatment. The morphological properties were studied by FTIR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and found to be changed. Thermal properties of treated wood samples were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The treated wood samples exhibited an increased thermal stability relative to the untreated wood samples; this increase may be related to the formation of 2, 6-diazo cellulose compound.

The effect of crosslinker on mechanical and morphological properties of tropical wood material composites

In this study, wood polymer composites (WPCs) based on five kinds of selected tropical wood species, namely Jelutong (Dyera costulata), Terbulan (Endospermum diadenum), Batai (Paraserianthes moluccana), Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), and Pulai (Alstonia pneumatophora), were impregnated with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDIC) monomers mixture in the ratio of 1:1 for composite manufacturing. All these tropical wood reacted with hexamethylene diisocyanate and crosslinked with MMA which enhanced the hydrophobic (restrained water) nature of wood. The vacuum-pressure method was used to impregnate the samples with monomer mixture. The monomer mixture loading achievable was found to be dependent on the properties of wood species. Low loading was observed for the high density wood species. Mechanical strength of fabricated wood polymer composites (WPCs) in term of modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were found to be significantly improved. The wood–polymer interaction was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Morphological properties of raw wood and WPC samples were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD analysis and an improvement in morphological properties was also observed for WPC.

Alpneumines A–H, new anti-melanogenic indole alkaloids from Alstonia pneumatophora

Eight new indole alkaloids, alpneumines A–H ( 1– 8) were isolated from the Malaysian Alstonia pneumatophora (Apocynaceae) and their structures were determined by MS and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods. Alpneumines E and G ( 5 and 7), vincamine, and apovincamine showed anti-melanogenesis in B16 mouse melanoma cells.

Acoustic Properties of Selected Tropical Wood Species

Acoustic properties such as specific dynamic Young’s modulus (E′/γ), internal friction (Q −1) and acoustic conversion efficiency (ACE) of wood are important properties frequently examined by researchers. Vibration technique is one of the non-destructive evaluation techniques used as an alternative method for measuring the acoustic properties of wood. The objectives of this study are to determine acoustic properties of selected low density tropical wood species namely Endospermum Diadenum, Cratoxylum Arborecens, Dyera Polyphylla, Macaranga Gigantea, Commersonia Bartramia and Alstonia Pneumatophora and their suitability for making violin and guitar (acoustic instruments). The acoustic properties were determined by using free-free flexural vibration method. The results show that there are significant and good relationship between log Q −1/(E′/γ) and log E′/γ with negative gradient for each and overall wood species studied. The P-value of regression equation is less than 0.01 whereas the coefficient of determination (r 2) is in the range of 0.565 to 0.894. The mean value of E′/γ, Q −1 and ACE of wood species studied are in the range of 1.69×1010 Pa to 2.73×1010 Pa, 0.017 to 0.035 and 1.50×107 to 3.56×107 respectively. Based on the mean value of E′/γ, Endospermum Diadenum, Cratoxylum Arborescens, Macaranga Gigantea and Dyera Polyphylla are preferred for making all component of violin and guitar except for the top plate of violin. Commersonia Bartramia is preferred for making the back plate of violin and guitar, whereas Alstonia Pneumatophora is only preferred for making the back plate of violin.

Dynamic Young's modulus and glass transition temperature of selected tropical wood species

Dynamic Young's modulus (Ed) of selected tropical wood species, namely Dyera polyphylla, Endospermum diadenum, Cratoxylum arborecens, Alstonia pneumatophora, Macaranga gigantea and Commersonia bartramia, used for the study was measured using the free–free flexural vibration method. Young's modulus from three point bending (E3pb) and compression parallel to grain (Ecp) was also studied. The results show that the relationship between Ed and E3pb for all wood species is very significant with the mean value of Ed consistently larger than or sometime equal to E3pb. Surprisingly, the relationship between Ed and Ecp is not significant except for Alstonia pneumatophora. The dynamic mechanical thermal properties were also investigated using the dynamic mechanical thermal analyser (DMTA). The results showed that the storage modulus of the wood species at –90°C is in the range of 1·48–4·09 GPa with a glass transition temperature ranging from 50 to 70°C.